Wednesday, 18 April 2012

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.
_________________________________________________________________________________
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.

Tuesday, 17 April 2012

Tow Seng Wanton Mee (Albert Centre Market & Food Centre)

*Edited Oct 2012: Closed. Anyone knows where they shifted to?*
Tow Seng Wanton Mee is located at Albert Centre Market & Food Centre. You are spoilt for choice at this food centre as it is big! I find it amazing whenever I come here and notice the same few stalls having a queue. Tow Seng Wanton Mee is one of them!
They sell just 3 items; Wanton Mee, Chicken Mushroom Mee and Chicken Drumstick Noodle. You can expect to queue more than 15 minutes during lunch/dinner time.
Wanton Mee (Dry) $3.00
You can either choose to order the $2.50 or $3.00 Wanton Mee. I ordered the $3.00 version with no chilli. The noodle was springy (QQ) and not stuck together as a lump. With the self-made sauce, each strand of noodle was well oiled and delicious. It was so yummy that I found myself continuous eating the noodle! The Char Siew was too dry while the green chilli enhanced the taste of the dish.
Wanton Soup
The wanton was average but still this is a very decent bowl of wanton meal saved by the perfectly cooked noodles and sauce!
Chicken Mushroom Mee $2.50 
This is the Chicken Mushroom Mee. Shredded chicken, steamed vegetables and fragrant mushrooms are the normal ingredients for such a dish. The highlight is the perfectly self-made sauce! Brings the taste of this dish to a whole new level. Where can you find such a decent bowl of Chicken Mushroom Mee at $2.50!

I certainty do not mind queuing as this is one of the better Wanton Mee and Chicken Mushroom Mee stall in the food centre. Think most people knows this too, that explains the perpetual queue at this stall. This also made me realised that the sauce plays an important role too.

Tow Seng Wanton Mee (Albert Centre Market & Food Centre)
270 Queen Street 
#01-57 Albert Centre Market & Food Centre
Opening Hours: Daily 11am to 4pm

Monday, 16 April 2012

Zhen Zi Prawn Noodles (Toa Payoh HDB Hub)

*Edited May 2013: All outlets has closed*

Zhen Zi Prawn Noodles specialises in serving Prawn Noodle, Pork Ribs Noodle and Prawn & Pork Rib Noodle. Today, Zhen Zi Prawn Noodle has 3 branches; at Toa Payoh HDB Hub, Clementi Mall and Tampines Mall. All 3 branches are located at the respective food courts.
Menu
Current Promotion
Zhen Zi Prawn Noodle is currently having a promotion - $1 off when customers order the Prawn & Pork Ribs Noodle (usual price $5.50).

In addition, they are so confident of their Prawn Broth that they have a Soup Challenge. Customers will be given a FULL refund if they are not satisfied with the soup! Taste is very subjective, I am sure every now and then they are bound to meet unreasonable customers demanding a refund. Kudos to them for being so confident about their Prawn Broth.

(Dun play play), the Prawn Broth has been boiled for over 20 hours to extract the essence of the prawns and thicken the broth. Can you imagine how expensive the gas bills will be!
Prawn Noodle Soup $4.50
Notice the chilli powder at the right? You can add them if you prefer for your Prawn Noodle to be more spicy. The chilli powder has been blended in their factory.
Prawn Noodle Soup $4.50
The most important ingredients in a Prawn Noodle are the broth (soup) and the prawn. I was impressed by the prawn broth. It was robust with intense umami prawn flavour. Moreover, the prawns (three) given were big, fresh and firm. The head and tail (shell) were intact while the shells in the middle were peeled off. Prawns were not overcooked. Pork lard was added to enhanced the flavour of the soup.

The yellow noodles and bee hoon complemented each other as the latter (bee hoon) was of similar size. The Bee Hoon was a little thicker than Thin Bee Hoon (幼米粉) and a little thinner than Thick Bee Hoon (粗米粉). This lead to consistency in texture, size and therefore taste. The little things that add up to the overall foodie experience. Like! The beansprouts added gave a crunchy texture to the overall dish.
Prawn and Pork Ribs Noodle (dry) $5.50
Prawn and Pork Ribs Noodle (dry) $5.50
The Prawn and Pork Ribs Noodle was topped with fried shallots and pork lard. The prawns and prawn broth were similar to what I have wrote above. In this picture (above), you have a clearer view of the yellow noodle and bee hoon. Similar in size (diameter). The pork ribs were tender but tasted bland. Was glad that they used the part with soft bones. Which is one of my favourite part.

Overall, Zhen Zi Prawn Noodle is one of the better prawn noodle stall around. If I am around the area, I will certainly pop by for its Prawn Noodle Soup. Why? Well, the prawns used were fresh and the prawn broth packed such a oomph of umami prawn flavour that I am sure prawn soup lovers will love it!

Thank you Zhen Zi Prawn Noodles for invite.

Zhen Zi Prawn Noodles (Toa Payoh HDB Hub)
Stall No. 8, Gourmet Paradise Food Court
B1 Toa Payoh HDB Hub 
Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Tel: 6853 9555
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