From Entrée to Sweet Treat: Exploring the Versatility of California Raisins

Recently I attended the Flavours of Festivity: Epicurean Delights for Raya, a pre-Ramadan celebra,on hosted by California Raisins at Texture by C3 Lab in Atria Shopping Mall. 

Upon arriving, I was impressed by the diverse ways California Raisins could be enjoyed during the festive Ramadan season, showcasing their versatility and everyday appeal, whether in cooking, baking, or crafting a delicious drink. 

The event started with a captivating introduction to California Raisins, exploring how they journey from vineyards to our tables, adding flavor to both special occasions and everyday meals. 

Loved for their sweetness and health benefits, California Raisins were the star of the show, enchanting everyone with their versatility and deliciousness.

As I arrived, I was greeted by the aroma of pastries and drinks featuring California Raisins. I headed to the Raisin Garden, where I explored the diverse varieties, savoring their unique flavors and
textures. It was an immersive experience highlighting the culinary potential of raisins.

This Vegan Milkshake made with California Raisins is absolutely delicious! It would be great to see it available in cafes!

We enjoyed a variety of culinary creations featuring raisins, presented by two well-known pastry chefs from Malaysia. These demonstrations offered innovative recipe ideas, combining traditional Raya flavors with modern culinary methods.

Chef Aison is a skilled artisan baker with a rich culinary background, celebrated for his creativity in crafting artisanal baked goods. 

He showcased his talent by creating several unique pastries featuring California Raisins, such as California Raisin Hazelnut Babka, California Raisin Kouign-Amann, and California Raisin Carrot Cinnabon.

On the other hand, Chef Lawrence Bobo, nicknamed 'The Mad Scientist' for his innovative approach to pastries and confectioneries, brought his expertise in patisserie to the table. 

He crafted a series of delectable treats including California Raisin Apple Tarte Tatin, California Raisin Chocolate Orange Cake, and California Raisin Vanilla Petit Gateau.

During lunch, we had the chance to indulge in a full epicurean experience.

We started with a refreshing California Raisin & Calamansi Spritzer and a California Raisin Waldorf Salad as an appetizer. 

For the main course, we were treated to delicious hot dishes and bakes featuring California Raisins. 

This Nasi Berani with raisin served with juicy grilled chicken is absolutely my favourite!

The meal concluded on a sweet note with a mouthwatering California Raisin Apple Tarte Tatin, followed by delightful California Raisin Chocolate Cake 

And California Raisin Vanilla Cake as the grand finale of our lunch!

Thanks to these two talented chefs for serving us delicious food infused with California raisins!

As the event came to an end, each of us was handed a tote bag filled with California Raisin snacks to take home. We also received booklets featuring recipes from Chef Aison and Chef Lawrence Bobo, giving us the chance to try making these delicious treats ourselves. 

The event really emphasized how incorporating California Raisins into our daily diets, especially during festive seasons, can have lifestyle benefits. As a natural sweetener and easy snack, they perfectly suit the preferences of health-conscious individuals like me.

Flavors of Festivity wasn't just about showing off delicious food; it was about celebrating the balanced and joyful lifestyle that California Raisins support. I left feeling inspired, excited to add the rich, natural sweetness of California Raisins to my upcoming festive celebrations.

California Raisins are a staple in my kitchen because of their premium quality and versatility. They're a wholesome alternative to processed sugars, making them perfect for both festive feasts and everyday cooking. Try them out today!

Thank you California Raisins for having us! 

Experience the Jingle and Magic of the U.S. Potatoes Festive Extravaganza

The Jingle U.S. Potatoes All The Way Christmas Workshop, a unique culinary event celebrating the versatility and flavor of U.S. potatoes, took invited guests and influencers on an immersive journey through the world of potatoes. Hosted at FunFun Event Space in Puchong, the event featured a variety of activities, cooking demonstrations and interactive workshops. Although it was a very long drive to Puchong it's all worth it because I have fun!

The event kicked off with guests arriving to a vibrant product showcase. They were presented with a Potato Christmas Garden displaying an array of U.S. fresh potato varieties such as Russet, Red, and Purple along with different cuts of frozen U.S. potatoes as well as instant U.S. mashed potatoes mixes.

Russet Potatoes are starchy and I like how it “dissolve” into my ABC soup or chicken potato stew.

This Red Potatoes, only available in selected season like July-Oct. And this is the healthiest potato among all! 

This is the first time I'm seeing Purple Potato! I brought home some and taste very good! These also have lower glycemic index compared to white potatoes, making them a better choice for blood sugar control.

The photo booth area is so pretty! Feeling Christmas already!

The fun-filled events feature various activities and games at the product showcase with successful participants receiving special prizes and free gifts, adding an element of friendly games and engagement like arranging potatoes! Looks easy but it's not! 

Mr Eddie Saw, who is the Country Representative of Potatoes USA, delivered an enlightening speech about the journey and significance of U.S. potatoes. Thank you for bringing delicious U.S. potatoes to Malaysia for us! 

The Jingle U.S. Potatoes All The Way Christmas Workshop was a celebration of U.S. potatoes, highlighting their nutritional benefits and culinary versatility.

I have always enjoy learning from Chef ZieZie class! This time around she showed us how to prepare Baked U.S. Potatoes with Cheese and “Twinkle U.S. Potatoes Stars”, a delightful potato dish using U.S. Russet potatoes. Check out the recipe at the end of this article! 

Stuffing in potato skin

Always be generous with your cheeseeeeee!

Final product of  Baked U.S. Potatoes with Cheese

Pipping my Twinkle U.S. Potatoes Stars before putting into the oven to bake!

Chef Taufiq Halim is super talented. He did a potato carving workshop where he demo how to carve two festive figurines using U.S. Russet and Purple potatoes.

Looked at all his masterpieces and my Twinkle U.S. Potatoes Stars dish!

When I watched the Chef doing his food craving, it felt so difficult but nevertheless I made it!

Graduated from Chef Zie Zie class for the second time!

Group picture!

With the girls! 

Recipe for Baked U.S. Potatoes with Cheese

Recipe of Twinkle U.S. Potatoes Stars

You can be creative with your pipping shape! 

Enjoy preparing these simple, tasty, and nutritious meals with U.S. Potatoes this Christmas! 

Merry Christmas in advance to all of you! 

Enchanting Beauty with The Gift of Life By MAYSENSE Skin Repair Oil Event

I had the pleasure of attending the Maysense The Enchanted Beauty, the Gift of Life event at ParkRoyal Collection Kuala Lumpur recently. The atmosphere was truly glamorous, and I couldn't help but feel a tad underdressed. The event looked really nice, and the event was well-organized!

MAYSENSE, a leading name in the world of beauty and wellness, proudly introduced their latest innovation Skin Repair Oil: The Goddess of Rebirth today. The launch, MAYSENSE’s inaugural event in Malaysia, took place at the stylish PARKROYAL COLLECTION in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, attended by MAYSENSE team members and business partners, notable wellness influencers and invited guests.

I felt like a KLCC twin tower bridge between these models 

Me and some of the influencers friends at the event.

Some of the participants at the events 

We were greeted by a showcase of MAYSENSE products, beautifully curated at each designated station. We could view all MAYSENSE products and the newly launched Skin Repair Oil at a specially organised product showcase. There were seven stations dedicated to each of the products, with a final station for us to experience the products for ourselves. 

MAYSENSE commemorated the moment by taking pictures at a special photo booth and joining an Instagram contest, an exciting line-up of programmes complete with a lovely lunch to serenade the crowd.

The event began with a speech by Mr Hank Yan, the Chief Operating Officer of MAYSENSE. He said: “Our journey, deeply rooted in science and inspired by nature, has always been about harnessing the purest ingredients to create products that not only enhance beauty but also promote holistic wellbeing. With our latest offering, The Goddess of Rebirth: Skin Repair Oil, we continue our mission to provide solutions based around our tagline, ‘The Gift of Life’, that counteract skin ageing and rejuvenate UV-damaged skin.”

This was followed by a dance performance and catwalk parade showcasing the new Skin Repair Oil

product. 

The event also featured a recognition presentation ceremony honouring MAYSENSE's top achievers.These individuals, through their relentless efforts, not only achieved remarkable sales figures but also played a pivotal role in promoting the brand's ethos and products to a wider audience.

The event also featured a coffee talk with the Design Executive Officer of MAYSENSE Mr. Bobo Chen

sharing on the company, its products as well as MAYSENSE’s direction in the next coming year.

Skin Repair Oil & MAYSENSE Products

The Goddess of Rebirth: A groundbreaking Skin Repair Oil meticulously crafted by the MAYSENSE

Group. At its core is the scientifically-proven 1% Retinol (Vitamin A), renowned for counteracting skin

ageing and rejuvenating UV-damaged skin. 

This elixir harmoniously blends nature's finest ingredients, including the moisture-retaining Squalene, skin-soothing Rosehip, nutrient-rich Organic Sunflower and hydrating Organic Coconut.

Enhanced with the citrusy goodness of Yuzu and the nourishing properties of Sea Buckthorn, this oil

promises not only rejuvenation but also deep hydration. Free from harmful additives, The Goddess of

Rebirth ensures a natural approach to skin revival, making it a must-have in every skincare regimen.

MAYSENSE’s also showcase other renowned skincare and wellness products such as Goddess of Beauty: The Essence, Goddess of Eternity: The Serum (anti-ageing), Goddess of Balance: The Face Wash, as well as wellness supplements Goddess of Strength: Nutrition_Vegan DHA & NMN 10800, Goddess of Wisdom: Nutrition_Reishi AHCC and Goddess of Love: Collagen Peptides Drink.

    

    

For those who do not know, MAYSENSE is an international beauty and wellness brand founded in Canada that develops, manufactures and markets products including skincare basics, wellness essentials, home essentials and make-up must-haves.

Thank you, MAYSENSE, for the invitation to this wonderful event and for giving me the opportunity to learn about the brand. We were also given product samples to try at home in their goody bags too!