MELAKA: It was a 'sweet' surprise for Melakans here whose very own 'Gula Melaka' will be featured by renowned TV host and cook, Donal Skehan on the BBC Good Food show.
The show's host arrived in Melaka on Monday and spent the evening in Kampung Paya Dalam to see for himself how Melaka's iconic palm sugar, the 'Gula Melaka' is made.
Skehan, who was chaperoned by local celebrity chef Datuk Redzuawan Ismail, or fondly known as Chef Wan, was delighted at sharing his experience in the Malaysia's historical state on Instagram.
"We have made it safe and sound to Malaysia and we are in Melaka, we have come to a sugar cane plantation.
"We are about to see how it's all made. Gula Melaka is what we are here for. Very exciting," said Skehan, before he began filming here, yesterday.
Short videos of the boiling of the nectar of palm trees down to a concentrated form in a large wok above fire pit, as well as the cylindrical blocks of Gula Melaka were also seen on his Instagram post.
Skehan also had the opportunity to try out the traditional 'kuih' made using 'Gula Melaka' including 'onde-onde', 'kuih keria', 'putu piring' and 'cendol' after the filming.
He later went on to try Peranakan dishes for dinner at Restoran Ole Sayang where ayam kapitan (captain's curry), sambal squid petai, otak otak and udang lemak nenas were served.
Earlier this morning, the duo went on to film the Peranakan kuih at Baba Charlie Nyonya Cake in Tengkera.
They also took a tour around the historical city in Banda Hilir including at Stadthuys.
Meanwhile, Chef Wan told the New Straits Times that he was glad at being able to showcase the unique culinary delights of Melaka.
"The programme is the BBC Good Food Show where Skehan is to produce eight episodes of Asian desserts.
"He has gone to Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and is now in Malaysia, Melaka here to film his shows.
"In Malaysia, he is only visiting Melaka because we are focusing on the Peranakan dishes using 'Gula Melaka' and pandan leaves," he said.
Chef Wan said he will help demonstrate the art of making of onde-onde and kuih ketayap for the show at traditional village of Kampung Morten.