Student chef masters the Zen of cooking

2009/10/10

A GRUELLING three-month endeavour to captivate the taste buds of gourmet judges culminated in Trevor Pang Yit Jih's sumptuous concoction of Chicken and Seafood Surf n Turf Green Garden Salad. It won him the Zen Star Chef title.

At 19, Pang of Genting INTI International College (GIIC) was the youngest finalist of the Zen Star Chef Culinary Talent Search competition.

The second-year culinary arts student won an all-expenses paid trip to Melbourne, Australia worth more than RM10,000 and a six-month stint with Secret Recipe’s new outlet in the city.

Among the judges at the finals was Chef Redzuawan Ismail, better known as Chef Wan, who declared that a great cook is held in high esteem not only for his scrumptious food but also for his culinary knowledge, cooking pace and skill at using his resources.

Pang showed great potential throughout the contest and at the finals, he and the other contestants had to serve a main dish within 45 minutes using only specific ingredients which were undisclosed until the start of the last stage. The lad from Malacca impressed Chef Wan and programme host Xandria Ooi with his witty responses to questions even as he cooked up a storm.

In response, Chef Wan says: “Having a keen sense of humour is one of the desired characteristics of a celebrity chef to captivate the audience and fans." "I am overjoyed to win this competition after an arduous three months," says Pang. "It's a valuable experience which enables me to move ahead in the culinary field." For the fans, Pang's experience in Australia will be posted to the Zen Star Chef Facebook Group Page. GIIC student Emil Farez Helmy, 20, was in second place with his delectable White Sauce Pan Fried Fillet with Salad while Taylor's University College's Alson Khor, 25, was third.

Trevor Pang Yit Jih (centre) with runner-up Emil Farez Helmy and Alson Khor, who was third.