The End

In celebration of Chinese New Year our last cooking workshop was at Knightsbridge Primary school. We taught the children, the cultural traditions of Chinese New Year and how to make "Chinese dumplings." Chinese dumplings is one of the most important dishes for Chinese people during Chinese New Year as they symbolise wealth and good fortune.


Here we have the students eagerly waiting for Foong Yue (Chef) to teach them how to make dumplings.


The children were really enthusiastic and worked hard to make lovely dumplings. (^_^)


I was really surprised at how well they made the them as I honestly thought that they would have trouble. I guess I should never underestimate children. (-_-)


Now it's time to cook the dumplings because everyone is hungry, especially me as I had to wake up at 6:30AM and had no breakfast. (´ー｀)


Whilst we wait for Foong Yue to cook the dumplings, me and Ching gave a presentation on Chinese New Year. I also taught the children how to say "Happy New Year" and "I wish you good fortune" in Cantonese which they learnt really quickly. Children would traditionally receive lucky money in red envelopes on Chinese New Year so I rewarded them with a red envelope and treats for their efforts. (^_^)


Hurray! The dumplings are ready so now I can finally satisfy my hunger! (^_^)


From Left -> Right is Ching, me, Gordon and Foong Yue. Only half the team were able to make it for this last workshop because unlike our other workshops this one started at 9AM, which meant that they would have to wake up around 5-6AM because they live in East London.


Unfortunately, this will be my last post for the Taste of Happiness. I hope that writing this blog will inspire you to cook and do volunteering work for the community. We started this project in hope to spread the knowledge of Chinese Culture and History, using cookery as a fun way to learn. In addition, we wanted to inspire as many people possible to cook through these workshops. (^_^)

I would like to thank Vcashpoint for funding this project because without the funding it would not be possible to run this project as it's too costly to organise these workshops. Please visit their website if you are interested in starting your own project or doing volunteering work. http://vinspired.com/rewards/vcashpoint


I especially want to thank all the Taste of Happiness team. (^_^) We are all volunteers and don't get paid a penny working on this project but they all still helped out from the start to the end. (^_^) We worked like a family on this project, and without their help there is no Taste of Happiness. It's sadly emotional to see this project end as we've been working on it together since October. It's officially time for me to say good bye and thank you for following our journey on the Taste of Happiness Project. （　´_ゝ`）

Workshop 4 – Dumplings

08 February 2010, it was a snowing day. Northern Line was having signal failure and the tube was delayed. I was stuck in the underground and late to the preparation of our 4th workshop.

Luckily, with the team work spirit of our volunteers, we got to prepare everything before the participants come.

Plain flour is one of the most important ingredient to make dumplings.

Chinese Chives + Mince meat

For Chinese, using Chives and meat as filling for the dumplings is very common. It also has the meaning of bring prosperity.

Same as the previous workshop, we started with the history part.

Everyone is so concentrating in listening Mr Tony talking history about dumplings. After the presentation of Chinese New Year custom, its time for some hands on activities.

The chef: heheee… it’s my show time now!

Everyone is so concentrating to make a nice dumpling.

I was walking around to make sure everyone is Okay. ^.^ Hope no one feel left out.

After almost one hour………

Taa Dang~~~~ dumplingsssss

While I was cooking the dumplings, we had a small quiz. It’s time to see who was day-dreaming during Tony’s presentation. hahaaa….

Well, the questions were not hard if our participants pay attention during the workshop.

Congratulation to the winning team ^.^ I hope you all like the prize. Btw, how’s the taste of the sweets (prize)? Hope you guys like strawberry flavour. XD

It’s time to taste our dumplings~~~

The dumplings were a little salty X( Sorry… but I still hope that you all like it! Because it’s hand-made… it’s precious ^^

Our 2 lucky participants who got the dates inside the dumplings. Both you must have a very good luck this year. ^^ I put 3 dates in 3 dumplings, should be one more lucky participant. I think some one ate the date without knowing it. XD

This workshop is our last workshop for age 16-25. So, we award those participants who participate 2 workshops or more with our nicely printed and nicely designed certificate.

Winh, one of our designer, is looking at his works.

Yan, Congratulation and Thank You!! *Hugs Hugz* Thank you for being our die-heart fans and attended all the workshops.

Its really sad to tell that this is our last workshop for Taste of Happiness project. There’s a Chinese saying, 天下无不散之筵席. It means, all good things must come to the end. I believe we will still meet up some days in some event.

Well, before we say good bye to each other, lets have a group picture.

The serious ones… continue with the

FUNNY ones XD

Finally, I wish everyone Happy Chinese New Year. Gong Xi Fatt Chai~~~~~

P/S: Still got few up-coming blog entry. Stay Tune!

I ♥ Dumplings

Tomorrow, we will be making dumplings to celebrate Chinese New Year for the workshop. This is the workshop I look forward to most because [1] the dish contains meat and [2] I ♥ dumplings. (^_^) Unfortunately, this will be the last workshop that we will be running for youths aged (18-25) which is sad. （ ´,_ゝ`) On Friday, we will be doing a demonstration at a primary school and after that it will officially be the end of the Taste of Happiness project. （ つ Д ｀）

We are expecting around 15-20 people to turn up for the lesson so I look forward to eating lot's of dumplings! ( ﾟヮﾟ)

3rd Workshop - MoonCake

25 January 2010, it's another lovely Monday afternoon. We had our 3rd workshop to bake some MoonCakes. Before the workshop start, as usual, our volunteers will do the preperation to ensure the workshop run smoothly.

Unlike the last two workshop, our history part was in the beginning of the workshop. I found that's very good because we can wait for the late comers, so they wont missed out the MoonCake making procedures.

Thank you for Tony, HeiTung and Cathy for the history research. They done a good job! Lot's of pictures during the history presentation to make the presentation not too boring. *Clap clap*

One of our volunteer, Mewmew, is going back to China for good. *sob sob* Thus, there's a suprise for her to make her remember us. We bought her some flowers and a present. Mewmew, forget us NOT! You will be missed.

Compare with the last 2 workshops, this workshop had the most participants. It tells that we have done a very good marketing/promotion in recuiting participants. XD

Everyone is concentrating to make their Mooncake.

Actually, I'm very surprise that most of the participants had done a very nice mooncake. It's better than what I expected. It's really hard to believe that they never make a MoonCake before. Our participants are talented!! Or... maybe I am good teacher. hahaaa...

There's a little accident happened. Gordon didn't eat his lunch, thus, he has no energy and can't hold the baking tray with our nicely-made MoonCake properly! So, don't angry with him if he spoiled your MoonCake.

Don't worry, although the MoonCake doesn't look nice. But, it will still taste very nice. ^.^

Taa Dang~~~ MoonCakessssss. It looks so delicious. Isn't it?

They are Fela and Chloe from Vcashpoint. Our sponser!! Without Vcashpoint, we won't be having fun in learning different types of Chinese dessert. Thank you for coming. I hope you enjoy the workshop and the MoonCake.

Some of the participants told me, they have no idea what MoonCake is until they come to this workshop. Therefore, this is the first time they tasted a MoonCake. I feel that our project is getting meaningful, for at least, a little bit more people get to know Chinese traditional dessert.

Before everyone goes home, let's have a group picture. Once again, THANK YOU for everyone!!! Hope to see you in the next workshop, 8th Feb 2010.

Tried and Tested

Before every workshop, we'll always have a trial lesson to ensure that our lovely assistants are fully trained to assist Foong Yue (The Chef) in the workshops. (^_^) Actually, calling them lovely assistants is too much of a compliment, because I get bullied by them. (-_-)

Initially I thought that making moon cakes would be quite difficult, but Foong Yue has done a good job with her teaching so making it is actually quite simple. (^_^) The date is Sunday the 24th of February and it's less than 24 hrs until the next workshop, so I would like to shout out a BIG message to all the students "Get ready to get your hands messy and make MOON CAKES!" (^_^)