Cooking up a storm
TUNKU Abdul Rahman University College ( TAR UC) chef- cum- lecturer of the Faculty of Social Science, Arts and Humanities ( FSAH), Lucas Liao Shing Jie, channelled his expertise to students, namely, Lim XingYi and Sern Lai Sheng, both from the Bachelor of Hospitality Management ( Hons).
They took up the challenge to participate in the recent Culinaire Malaysia “Malaysian Battle of the Chefs” competition in the ice- carving category conducted during the 13th Malaysian International Exhibition of Food, Drinks, Hotel, Restaurant and Foodservice Equipment, Supplies, Services and Related Technology held from Sept 29 to Oct 2 last year in Kuala Lumpur.
Fuelled partly by their own interest and also inspired by chef Liao’s award- winning skills, Lim and Sern, plus Liao himself, won a bronze medal each for their highly creative and artistic effort.
The Culinaire Malaysia “Malaysian Battle of the Chefs” is only for the creme de la creme of top chefs. With over 1,500 entries and an assemblage of more than 1,000 culinary professionals, it was a display of skills and talents in all contesting disciplines and categories.
Liao has garnered many wins in his foray into culinary competitions.
He has a wealth of knowledge and skills to share with his students in the TAR UC Hospitality Management programme.
Besides winning awards, he also puts his knowledge and skills into practice by coaching his students to win.
“Since joining TAR UC in 2013, I have been given opportunities to excel and grow my passion in culinary arts,” said Liao.
Having had a career in the hospitality industry for approximately 10 years, he believes that the subject he teaches plays an important role in Hospitality Management.
“I teach mainly on subjects that inspire students about food,” he said.
“One has to reinvent the preparation of food in this industry,” said Liao.
“Educating and inspiring students in current and dynamic food trends and knowledge is what I strive to achieve.”
Besides being taught by top- notch academicians- cumpractitioners, such as the award- winning Liao, students at TAR UC undergo an internship programme during their semester break.
This paves the way for them to understand and be exposed to new trends and expectations of the ever- dynamic hospitality industry.
For more information about Hospitality Management and other programmes offered by FSAH, visit the Kuala Lumpur Main Campus, or any of the branch campuses in Penang, Perak, Johor and faculty branches in Pahang and Sabah. Alternatively, log on to www. tarc. edu. my.