KFC Chef For A Day Event... and FoodieFC in KFC advertisement!

To celebrate KFC's 35th anniversary in Singapore, KFC held an event called 'KFC Chef For A Day Event' on 31st March 2012 at Nex Shopping Centre. In this event, KFC fanatics like me get to learn the secret preparation process of their Original Recipe Chicken. The top 3 chefs get to walk away with S$1000  (1 winner per session). There were 3 sessions were held in the morning, afternoon and evening.

The ceiling at the top of this portion of the shopping mall displayed the word 'KFC Anniversary'. Hmmm, I really wonder who will look up and notice the words on the ceiling. No one noticed till the emcee informed us. Not a very good idea that Nex came up with?

Did you all know that KFC's slogan is no longer finger lickin' good. It's new slogan is sogood! Personally think that it is a nice change. Very catchy and trendy. Moreover, it is short and sweet! So when consumers think KFC, on their top of mind awareness will be 'sogood'! KFC=sogood! What a strategy! 

I attended the afternoon session. Found out that Bryan Wong hosted the session at night! Well..not fated to meet him. The event started off with 2 quizzes. The first was a series of questions and all the teams had to write the answer down. The team with the most points received vouchers.

Second Quiz (Source: KFC Singapore)

In the second second quiz, participants had to work in a team to arrange the correct ingredients under the respective item; Oiginal Chicken, Zinger Burger, Roasta and Cheesy BBQ Meltz. It was not an easy task as there were many decoys given and there was limited time. (Note: The above picture does not necessary show the right answer.)

Next was the preparation process which was an individual challenge where the winner gets to walk away with One Million Dollars (Dr Evil's voice) S$1,000. Sadly, we did not get to know what are the ingredients in the 11 herbs and spices. Which was expected.

We (participants) were taught the process of:

Chicken in the 11 herbs and spices (Source: KFC Singapore)

1) Mixing the 11 herbs and spices with the 9 chicken parts. There is a process (systematic steps) to ensure that each piece of chicken is nicely coated. 

2) Choosing 2 parts and taking them out. Again, there is a process and step taken to ensure that the chicken are evenly coated. Not too thin not too thick. 

Plate with label (Source: KFC Singapore)

3) Putting them nicely onto the plates that are labelled according to the different chicken parts (e.g. W means Wings). KFC is very strict on how the different parts are put on the plate. Different parts have to be place in different positions and angles according to the bone structure and shape of the parts!

All these steps are taken to ensure the chicken we eat are nicely and even coated! I have been taking my KFC chicken for granted. So much tender loving care is given to it!

In the challenge, participants were given marks according to how each piece of chicken parts were displayed on the plate and also the coating on the chicken (not too thin / thick). 

How did FoodieFC fare? He just pass! Phew.. 

KFC Treats for participants (Source: KFC Singapore)

KFC treats for participants after the event which includes original chicken, crispy chicken, whipped potato, coleslaw, egg tarts and Sjora! 

How was the food? Sogood!!!

Personally, I had a lot of fun and enjoyed the event. In addition, learnt more about KFC! Wish that that are more of such events as I would certainly like to join in these events! (If you know of such event, please kindly inform FoodieFC!) Congratulations to the three winners who walked away with $1000 each! And thank you KFC for conceptualising, planning and organising this! Well executed!

Disclaimer: This post was made on my own accord and is not a sponsored post.
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This happened after I drafted this post (above)

Earlier this week, a friend told me that I was on TV. I did not take it seriously until a second friend told me about it. After that, then did I realised that KFC has been airing an advertisement on television and it featured the KFC Chef For A Day Event.

Guess what? FoodieFC really had his 1 second of airtime on TV!

For those interested to know about the event, the video is below.

How to peel an egg in 5 seconds!

Only if you are going to eat the hard boiled egg yourself!

If it is for someone else, please do not follow this video.

How to order 'Cai Fan' Like a Pro

Chanced upon this. Interesting strategies to get more food. Have you tried it before?

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Wishing everyone Happy Lunar New Year! Gong Xi Fa Cai! May the year of Dragon bring you good health, prosperity!

Huat Ah! 

Happy 2012 and Best Wishes!

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and Best Wishes for the year ahead.

How did you start off 2012 with?

For me I started 2012 by having steamboat and also experimented making a chilled beancurd (recall Lao Ban Beancurd / 51 Soya Bean)

Steamboat

Homemade Chilled Beancurd

Good Luck to everyone for 2012! Huat Ah!

Cheers,

FoodieFC

McDonald's Open Door Kitchen Tour

Went for McDonald's Open Door Kitchen Tour today at the McDonald located at Sun Plaza, Sembawang. You can register for the Open Door Kitchen Tour here. There are limited slots for the tours as each tour is limited to 20 person and is held only once a month, on the 3rd Sunday of the month.

No photography was allowed. Hence, I am unable to have any photos of the kitchen

The Open Door Ambassador (ODA) was the one who conducted the tour, showing us the storage area, crew room and kitchen. He also explained to us how burgers and fries were cooked. Automation seems to play a big role in today's kitchen operations. Even the fries that are dispensed are automated. The duration to cook food, be it fries, patties or even burger bread are automated having a count down timer.The ODA kept emphasizing on hygiene, food safety, quality standard, freshness and best quality ingredients. I am very impressed with the ODA. He certainty did a good job in driving these messages during the tour and did well to engage us.

After the tour, this was given.

Again, it drives the key messages that McDonald wants to send to consumers. Whoever though of this Open Door Kitchen Tour is a genius! What a way to promote their key message and counter 'Super Size Me' without being seen as defensive. Or well, maybe I thought too much, this is not meant to counter the documentary. =)

Food for thought:

1) There are two different stoves. One for cooking only the beef patties, the other for chicken patties. This is to respect those who do not eat beef

2) The stoves for cooking the beef and chicken patties are automated.

3) The beef patties are kept for a maximum of 15 minutes before it is thrown away. This is to ensure that customers get juicy beef patty which are not dry or overcooked.

4) There are 2 sets of gloves. Blue ones for frozen/uncooked food. White ones for cooked food. This is to ensure high hygiene standards.

Conclusion:

I always wonder how McDonald's keep their food standards similar with their high turnover rate in the kitchen and with hiring of youngsters. Now I get it! The answer is due to automation in the kitchen and having count down timers for cooking duration. Moreover, kudos to their training and also supply chain operation which played an important role.

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Starbucks Singapore (12 days of gifting)

A short post before I leave for Hong Kong for 1 week.

I purchased a Blue Star Tumbler 12 (oz) today (as shared on the Facebook page).

Today (6th Dec 2011) is Day 6 of Starbucks Singapore 12 Days of Gifting. The Blue Star Tumbler can be purchased for just $11.90 instead of a usual price of $16.90. That is close to 30% discount.

Blue Star Tumbler with coupon to redeem Starbucks Beverage

To my surprise, as I was purchasing the Blue Star Tumbler, I was informed that it comes along with a 12fl oz Starbucks beverage which I could get immediately or redeem at a later date. Wow. This is one great deal! Blue Star Tumbler at 30% discount along with a Starbucks drink for just $11.90! I am not too sure if this will be the same for the rest of the tumbler sales on Day 8 and 10. But you could try asking as this deal is value for money.

By the way, buy 1 get 1 free drink will be on 12th December the last day of the 12 Days of gifting campaign. I will be arriving in Changi airport on that day and will most likely purchase it at airport. (looks like the marketing promotion works for Starbucks)

Thailand flood crisis explained by RooSuFlood

I think this is my first non-food related post! Will do more when there is an opportunity! Otherwise it is mainly still food!

These 2 videos are very interesting! These videos are done by RooSuFlood to explain the Thailand flood crisis. It's real interesting how these video are done using animations to explain situations or what to do. It certainty got my attention and at the same time sent it's intended message. Good job!

The first explains the situation in Thailand.

The second on what to do when you are caught in the flood - Evacuation and how to prepare for it. (even how not to get electrocuted!)

The rest of the videos can be found here.