Sample Asian foods and excitement
By Yvonne Lim Wilson | September 4, 2008
This weekend is your chance to enjoy a sumptuous six-course sake dinner, learn all about Asian cooking and see (and taste) a live Asian Iron Chef competition all while benefiting a great cause.
The third annual Asia Food Fest, presented by the Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce, the Texas Culinary Academy and Satay Restaurant, showcases Asian cuisine through the talent of local chefs. Proceeds will benefit a Thai tsunami orphanage and The Arc of Texas.
"It came from the desire to highlight more original cuisine from different parts of Asia," said Veronica Lee, executive director of the Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce. "There are a lot of local Asian restaurants – mom and pop places – that do a lot of good but don't do a lot of marketing. We want to bring more exposure to the community."
It starts this Friday at Ventana, the fine-dining restaurant at the Texas Culinary Academy. Chefs Graham Mitchell and Stephen Cash and their students will prepare a six-course Pacific Sake Dinner.
On Saturday, it's all about hands-on learning. Adults and children alike can attend various cooking classes and food symposiums ranging from Thai curries to sushi making. Also during the day, Chef King Ma of Kim Son, Chef Moses of Benihana and Chef Chad Pritchard, a Texas Culinary Academy graduate, will participate in Iron Chef "quick fire challenges."
The events all lead up to Sunday where the winner of the quick fire challenges will battle Iron Chef Chan of Chef Chan Tea House in San Antonio. The two will create three dishes in one hour. Attendees will not only get to view the action, but to sample the creations as well.
The festival is a partnership with the Texas Culinary Academy, which also benefits students, Lee said.
"It's a French cooking school. Adding the Asian aspect brings a lot of interest to the students and helps them want to learn more," Lee said.
The festival has been growing every year, with more restaurants and chefs signing on, and more of the public participating in the fun.
"We're hoping one day it will become a big festival like the Texas Food and Wine Festival," Lee said. "I hope everyone comes out. There's nothing else out there like it … every day offers something different. It's definitely going to be fun for the whole family."
