Thursday, April 15, 2010

The Nutriplus Demo at Jusco, Midvalley

You may or may not know that little fat old me was 1 of 10 contributors in a recent cookbook launched by Nutriplus. The rest of the 9 are REAL chefs though. It's like being a croaky karaoke singer singing in the chorus line of Les Miserables in London's West End.

One of our obligations to Nutriplus was to demonstrate 2 of our recipes featured in the book, in front of a live audience. Now, it's quite different "performing" in front of a crowd, say, a class, where people actually have paid to attend, and performing in front of a public crowd, and passers by. The thought can be daunting.

So, I have decided to do a syiok sendiri interview, (let's call it a Masterview; which is a composite of two words) to explain to all and sundry the traumas of a live public demo:

Me: Tell me, Mr FBB, how does it feel to be misrepresented?
FBB: Ha? What you mean misrepresented.

Me: [opens book, to profile page]. Here la. Your pic here hor, look thinner than you do in real life. Even your double chin seems reduced to 1½ only.
FBB: Oh, you donno ah? I had to wear a corset la. And the photographer, Bonnie Yap, very tall one. She take picture from high high, so cannot see chin.

Me: Ah, okay, so, what is your greatest concern about doing this demo?
FBB: Oh, that my friends come.
Me: Pardon? Why?
FBB: Oh, because at the last public demo, at FHM, they heckled me to death, when I was doing a magimix demo.
Me: Like that hor. Okay, next question, do you sweat ah?
FBB: Like a hippo on heat man.
Me: No no, I mean, you nervous or not?
FBB: No la, not really. I just hope got fan. I dread getting sweaty armpits.

Me: What are your concerns?
FBB: Don't give up your day job to become a TV Host ya, your questions suck. Concerns about what?
Me: About the demo la, then, if not, what? World Peace?
FBB: Oh, demo, yeah, I just hope that no black out, and hopefully, got SOME people watching. Will be awkward to demonstrate to empty chairs and empty tables.
Me: Any other last words?
FBB: Yala, parking damn expensive on weekends in mid valley.

It's hard work doing a demo; when you're not rich and famous. You have to park, lug all the stuff from the carpark to the demo place, set up everything yourself, etc. Shucks, I am sure Nigella doesn't have to do that. Even though she appears to take the bus in some of her shows. Bus, not bust.

Well, there isn't much to tell. Despite initially dreading the thought of having friends show up, it did get a bit lonely, without any familiar faces. Sigh. I reckon the demos went okay, no real hitches. One day two, I dragged the family along after Easter service, so the blurry photos were taken by daughter, who thought she wasn't allowed to use the flash.

The demos were a Chocolate Mud Cake with Fudge Frosting, and Tim's Nuts, aka Peanut Butter Banana Cake. Its hilarious, and a bit disconcerting to see Malaysians swoop down like locusts whenever there is free food.

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That there is Mei Kei, of the Cooking House, in her slot after me, demonstrating her lemon tart.

Anyway, the cookbook is available in bookstores, at RM70, I believe. Drop me a line if you wish to get it, at a better price. (Sssssh).



21 comments:

Amelia said...

ooo... special price eh! how much special? i'll be going for your delectable dessert @ cake connection, can preview the book dulu?

"Joe" who is constantly craving said...

HAHAHA hilarious mastervieww!!

unfortunately our family sunday brunch location was switched to klcc, if not can give you a hard time like where to buy ur eggs ar?

UnkaLeong said...

LOL! I know a celeb baker! Your interview reminds me of the conversations we have most... *chuckles*

Ciki said...

oh ahpa, you are SO cute i wanna squeeze ur double chin LOL!..

Oh, you donno ah? I had to wear a corset la!!! ZOMG .. YOU KILL ME!

DIED.

Unknown said...

You are simply hilarious. The funniest person I know.

gfad said...

I. Want. Book. Autographed. Pleese. I'll pay you COD. You can keep the eggs.

Ques: What is the best color to wear so that sweaty pits don't show? ^_^

qwazymonkey said...

Ah Pa: I said this before and I'd say it again, thanks for cheering me up! Dunno how I'd ever get through a lousy wit without a dose of ya humour. Just don't forget to amuse me when you're finally a megastar chef like nigella, waitamin... u are a megastar!

J said...

*waves*
I want autographed book oso pleeeeease. :) :) :)

eiling lim said...

Ooh so this was the event you were talking about yesterday about Meena being absent! Lol..

Unknown said...

Chocolate Mud Cake! with fudge frosting some more!

Not only Msians behave like locusts. Try the demo counters in Tangs in Spore. Same same!

Babe_KL said...

ROFL this is so funny... so whr did u get yr male-corset??? i think Capt'n Hook need one too!!!

HairyBerry said...

a WHAT view??? is it just me or is that composite really insinuative of a certain blinding pleasure? amazing lah you, fbb!
 
congratulations once again on the book and demo. too bad i couldn't be there for your performance lah. but i'll make sure i get the book. and have you signing it! :)

Lyrical Lemongrass said...

Speechless at your imaginary interview. Aiyoh, see....even Eiling figured out immediately who you were talking about.

I wish I'd known Bonnie Yap earlier....she could have made me look like Amber Chia in my wedding pics.

fatboybakes said...

thamby, why u want to look like amber chia ah?

hairy, wink, at least you got it.

babekl, i was wearing one of the COOKING HOUSE lady's t shirt...can u imagine! so it was like a corset la.

fatboybakes said...

keropok man, very easy to make. when u get the book, u can make. no need cake mixer oso for the cake.

eiling, yalar, she of all ppl absent. broke mah heart.

J, roll eyes.

fatboybakes said...

monkey, is that a typo? how will you get through a lousy wit?

gfad, egg offer over liao. no eggs to keep oso. i reckon its quite hard to hide sweaty pits right. i very paranoid about such things, so douse with copious deodorant and anti perspirant.

cheryl, awww... surely not THE funniest. thanks for dropping by.

fatboybakes said...

ahmei ah, glad u were amused.

unka, indeed, my dear chap, indeed.

nipples, that question would have had only one correct answer though...i buy my eggs here at jusco, and only nutriplus.

amelia, oh, welcome to the bake class. do i have one ah? better check my calendar. hahah!

qwazymonkey said...

a lousy week i meant. But your wits gotten the best of me spelling. LOL

Breadpitt said...

this is funny.....ish...i missed out the demo..i realized it few days later when i go to gym..coz the faces look femiliar;-) kudos for the demo;-)

Kenny Mah said...

Wah, sorry Devil and I missed the demo. Love that last shot of you with the other chefs - and yes, you are a REAL chef and baker too! :)

Antara2Hati said...

Am interested in this book and wonder if i buy this book from you ?

Would also like to know what are the content ?