I was deeply honoured to be invited by Ms. Samantha Mah of Taylor's University Lakeside Campus to attend a hands-on classic cake and pastry class on 24 June 2012. Naturally, I said yes, as it is such a wonderful opportunity to be invited to a class and to receive a hands-on baking lesson by a talented Pastry Chef by the name of Chef Karam.
As a brief introduction, Taylor's University Lakeside Campus is a prestigious university located at the Klang Valley, and is the first in Malaysia to host a tropical, ecologically friendly theme. Built around a 5.5-acre lake, and with a 27-acre self-contained campus, this prestigious university is extensively landscaped to harmonise with nature.
As a brief introduction, Taylor's University Lakeside Campus is a prestigious university located at the Klang Valley, and is the first in Malaysia to host a tropical, ecologically friendly theme. Built around a 5.5-acre lake, and with a 27-acre self-contained campus, this prestigious university is extensively landscaped to harmonise with nature.
Here are a few photos which I took :
On the morning of 24th June, I was quite nervous as well as super excited since I've never attended any baking class before. Upon reaching Taylor's University, I was warmly greeted and welcomed by the friendly and pleasant Samantha, who is the Business Development Executive at Taylor's University. As we head towards the building where the class was held, Samantha briefed me on how the baking classes at Taylor's University are conducted and what are the courses available. I was very impressed with the overall campus as the administration and academic buildings are all very modern and new, and the landscape which includes a lake gives a clean and peaceful feeling.
Soon after, we reached our destination where she led me to the Pastry Kitchen. Wow, this was the first time that I had stepped into a real, professional Pastry Kitchen! The Pastry Kitchen here was rather huge, and there were a number of Kitchen rooms dedicated specially for Pastry as well as Culinary classes. The pastry kitchen comes complete with all the equipment like heavy duty stand mixers (Kitchen Aid), refrigerators, big ovens, a pantry room, stoves and big sinks that make washing up a breeze!
Chef Karam, the pastry chef for my class, was already in the room busily making preparations for the day when we entered. Several students for that day were already there as well. While we wait for the rest of the students to arrive, Samantha introduced me to Chef Karam. I was just happy and relieve to see that Chef Karam was really friendly and nice. After the introduction, I was given a complimentary bag filled with notepads, pen and apron to use, which really came in handy. As soon as all the students had arrived, Chef Karam started the class by conducting a demo and then followed by our very own hands-on experience.
Chef Karam, Pastry Chef
Demo in progress : Students crowding around Chef Karam, as he showed us how to make Pavlova, sharing the techniques and tips.
Back to the places, everyone! Now it is our turn to make our own Pavlova!
Next, Chef Karam taught us how to make Banana Sponge Cake for the Banana Mousse. And once again, everyone went back to the own places to make their own. It was interesting watching everyone concentrate and engrossed in their own individual tasks, and at the same time, I can tell that they are enjoying it too.
Here are the bakes that we have learnt from Chef Karam :
Tarte Tatin. A delightful apple tart, I took mine home to bake so that it is warm and delicious when eaten minutes after baking!
Banana Mousse Cake. This is a lovely Banana Sponge Cake, cut into thin layers and layered with a generous amount of delicious Banana Mousse. A perfect dessert that would please anyone!
Pavlova. This is simply delicious. The Meringue Shell is so crispy and yummy, eaten with some Chantilly Cream and Fruit Compote. Chef Karam decorated the Pavlova with a couple of Macarons which he made earlier, aren't they gorgeous!
The Group Photo
It was a truly wonderful experience for me, and thanks to Chef Karam who is a wonderful teacher, his friendliness and sense of humour puts everyone at ease and I can see that it is reflected in the way the students are enjoying and helping each other. The pleasant environment and fully-equipped kitchen definitely made the class an enjoyably complete learning experience.
If anyone is keen to find out more about the upcoming pastry and culinary courses by Taylor's University Lakeside Campus, please feel free to contact the university at :
Taylor's University
Lakeside Campus
Lakeside Campus
No 1, Jalan Taylor's
47500 Subang Jaya
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Tel : 603-5629 5000
Fax : 603-5629 5001
Email : cpe@taylors.edu.my
Lastly, I would like to thank Ms. Samantha Mah and Taylor's University Lakeside Campus for the invitation, thus giving me this wonderful opportunity to experience a hands-on classic pastry and cake class. And a special thanks to Chef Karam for making the class an interesting and enjoyable one.
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