MALAYSIA CARNIVAL TO TAKE OVER VICTORIA SQUARE TOMORROW

Malaysia will take its popular cuisine – and colourful dress and dance – to Victoria Square in Adelaide tomorrow (Saturday Sept 15th).

South Australian’s own Poh Ling Yeow and -based Dr Ezani Farhana Md Monoto will each give two cooking demonstrations as part of the Malaysian Carnival 2012.

Poh, who was born in Malaysia but now lives in Adelaide, has achieved fame through starring in her own cooking show on ABC1’s ‘Poh’s Kitchen’.

She was also runner up in the first series of MasterChef in 2009 and is now beginning her third television series.

Dr Ezani won the first series of MasterChef Malaysia, soon after returning from Adelaide where she completed her university degree in dentistry in 2010.

“We have two great chefs who understand Malaysian food in an Australian context and know how to work a crowd, so these promise to be lively sessions,” said Project Manager Danial Fahmi.

“Australians love Malaysian food, so this will be a great opportunity to learn a little more about the flavours, techniques and ideas that make it come together.”

Poh maintains strong links with the local Malaysian community and her mother Christina is Vice President of Malaysia Club of SA.

Cooking will be just one part of a full-day carnival program, alongside a variety of displays and stage performances, including dance and fashion shows.

Highlights will include wedding ceremonies featuring traditional – and elaborate – Malay, Indian and Chinese wedding clothes.

The carnival, which has attracted crowds of about 8000 in each of the past two years, is organised by Malaysian Student’ Council of Australia - South Australia (MASCA SA).

The 2010 event won the Lord Mayor’s Award for Community Event of the Year.

“There are more than 2000 Malaysian studying in Adelaide and they take great pride in presenting aspects of their culture to the local people who have made them so welcome,” said Xiyi Lim, Head of Marketing for Malaysian Carnival 2012.

“The carnival has become a really vibrant event designed to get people involved, teach them more about Malaysia, and hopefully encourage them to visit our country.”

Media contact: Danial Fahmi, Malaysian Students' Council of Australia South Australia, +61 433 454 005 or Chris Rann, Rann Communication, +61 418 832 512