Back To The Streets - An Original AFC Production

In its latest production, the clipboard carrying Gundam loving male chef is paired with the bubbly celebrity female DJ where they play secret agent types with a subtle undercurrent of romance. If it sounds familiar, it should. 

Last July 24th, The Asian Food Channel (AFC) premiered its first ever, fully produced Malaysian travelogue, airing regionally in Asia to more than 45 million AFC viewers in ten different territories. Viewers in Malaysia can of course catch the AFC Original Production nationwide on Astro channel 703.

The twelve-part series (12x30mins) which was created in collaboration with Berjaya University College of Hospitality, features two bubbly and charismatic hosts: Malaysian celebrity chef, Chef Malcolm Goh and Malaysian radio DJ and host, Tham Zher Peen.

They play the role of undercover agents scouring the streets of Kuala Lumpur searching for local culinary delights. On their mission, they interact with stall operators and cooks, trying to get them to share their priceless nuggets of culinary knowledge, food insights and even to divulge their cherished trade secrets.

With the information gathered, Zher Peen and Chef Malcolm rush back to BERJAYA University College of Hospitality where Chef Malcolm, with the assistance of Zher Peen and his students, utilize the knowledge that he has learned “on the streets” to create his own inspired variations of the dishes.

In the first episode, inspired by the rich and robust flavors of Ngau Kee beef noodles, Goh makes braised oxtail, but he adds a twist in the form of spiral cut potatoes cut to resemble noodle strands.

Then, inspired by Pudu’s famous Wei Kee roast goose, Goh cooks roast duck by French sous vide techniques.

“It took us two weeks from May 8 to shoot the scenes around Kuala Lumpur,” said Goh, while Zher and the production crew selected the shoot locations.

“It’s not about recreating a whole dish but being inspired by the textures, spices and ingredients from it,” said Goh.

Maria Brown, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of the Asian Food Channel is delighted with the premiere of another successful AFC Original Series Production, “The Asian Food Channel is fortunate to have a large and very loyal following in Malaysia, a large percentage of whom, have expressed the hope that AFC would further feature the amazing cuisine that is available across the country.

We really saw this as an opportunity to explore the rich culinary heritage that is present in Malaysia and at the same time, showcase Malaysian local talent pan regionally and even globally. Chef Malcolm and Zher Peen can only be described as a “passionate and dynamic duo" and I strongly believe that they will capture the hearts of all our AFC viewers easily.”

“It was all very professional,” replied Goh when asked about Zher who had to miss the Press launch due to work commitments.

BERJAYA UCH Chief Operating Officer, Mae Ho remarked, “It has been a great pleasure working alongside Asian Food Channel, and we are very excited to see how AFC viewers will react to this AFC Original Production. BERJAYA University College of Hospitality has always been a strong supporter of promoting, as well as educating the people about Malaysian cuisine.

We are extremely proud to witness how far Chef Malcolm, who is one of our own Culinary Arts Supervising Chef has come.

Chef Malcolm is no stranger to camera, he first saw his television career come to life when he starred in another AFC Original Production, Great Dinners of the World, which featured him and three other highly talented Asian chefs as they travelled to France and Scotland where they cooked for guest lists full of society elite and even royalty. When he is not in front of the camera, Chef Malcolm works as a Supervising Chef at BERJAYA UCH where he conducts theory and practical classes for students majoring in Culinary Arts.

Zher Peen too has had her fair share of stardom; She is not only the host of 8TV’s Quickie, a 15-minute variety show, she is also a at Fly FM where she hosts Fly30, a 3 hour radio programme that airs daily. In addition, she has also been featured in campaigns for international brands such as Converse, Levi’s and Nike.

Keep an eye out for the special Raya episode, where they eat nasi lemak and mee rebus at Damansara Uptown’s Village Park.

For more information about the Asian Food Channel and its programmes, please visit www.asianfoodchannel.com.

all images by kind courtesy of Asian Food Channel