PETALING JAYA: Having good looks but lacking experience in the kitchen “do not make a celebrity chef”, says Datuk Redzuawan Ismail.
Redzuawan or Chef Wan said only culinary graduates who have vast experience are worthy of that title, not freshies.
“You must have experience serving local and international customers, and you must know your kitchen inside out.
“If you don’t you are just an ordinary chef,” he said at the launch of his new cookery challenge Raja Sawit in Seri Pentas, Bandar Utama here today.
The 61-year-old who owns De.Wan 1958 By Chef Wan lamented that many “photogenic men” have emerged on the small screen of late, possessing a certain degree of culinary knowledge but “not the expertise” that makes them master chefs.
“Some of them are wet behind the ears and don’t seem to know the correct terms for their ingredients. It’s a shame that they are called celebrity chefs by fans when they are clearly not,” he said.
“It’s true that they can cook, but that is not enough. You must be an expert in your kitchen first!”
Chef Wan likened inexperienced chefs to “mi segera” (instant noodles), and advised them to “keep learning from mentors” instead of finding instant fame.
“I’m not against new chefs on TV, but please don’t call yourself a celebrity. You are just the host of a culinary programme.”
When asked about his new programme, Raja Sawit, Chef Wan said he would be teaming up with American chef Martin Yan to judge and guide 16 culinary students over six weekly episodes.
“There are eight universities and colleges in the contest, each has two student-competitors. In every episode, Martin and I will give them a culinary task; and the team that cooks the best dish is the weekly winner," said Chef Wan.
“The show aims to find promising young chefs, besides promoting the use of palm oil. We filmed it a few months ago in locations around the country.”
Raja Sawit, which will be screened at 6pm on TV3 every Saturday beginning June 8, is produced by P&U Victory and sponsored by Minyak Cap Buruh with the support of the Primary Industries Ministry, Malaysian Palm Oil Council, Air Asia, Tefal and FGV Holdings Berhad. The co-sponsors are A1 Bihun Beras and Kawan Food.
The show which was launched by Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok was filmed at Felda Residence Hot Springs, Sungkai, Perak, James Fish Farm in Kuala Kubu Baru, and The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat in Ipoh.