An inspirational quote from the late Steve Irwin

I believe that education is all about being excited about something. Seeing passion and enthusiasm helps push an educational message.

-Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter-

Power Math & Science Quiz for Schools

The Centre for Pre-University Studies at KDU College PJ recently organized an Inter School Math & Science Quiz for students from 24 different government schools and the quiz was held at the KDU auditorium. A total of 650 students participated in the quiz that was very successfully conducted with the assistance of the Pre-University A Level and Foundation students in the college

From Pre-U Maths & Science

Eager and enthusiastic faces of the school students greeted the reception committee consisting of Pre-University students at KDU college first thing in the morning. The moment they were seated at the auditorium, the fervor to begin was akin to taking a public exam; the school students were very serious about doing their best. The moment the quiz started, students were fervently working on the questions. The competitive spirit was definitely at its height and the silence in the hall reflected the level of concentration held by all the students.

When the results were announced an hour later, the hall was packed with school and college students cheering, clapping and shouting words of encouragement to the winners.
Several school participants and supporters gave their friends who won prizes a standing ovation.

When the overall winner from SMK BU3 was announced, the students screamed and the whole hall was clapping. The camaraderie and the team spirit spread across the auditorium. It was a very memorable sight to behold for all the school students who participated.

The KDU students in the Pre-University A Level and Foundation programmes lined up outside the auditorium and bid farewell to the happy participants as they leave the hall for their waiting buses to send them back to school.

The objective of this quiz was to complement the Ministry’s emphasis on the use of English in the teaching of Math & Science. The quiz questions cover the SPM syllabus and provide a practice for the school students as well in preparation for the SPM exam. The quiz also incorporate some general knowledge questions aimed at encouraging students to read extensively. The quiz is now being scheduled to be conducted in several schools throughout major towns in the country

According to Ms Ong Soo Weon, the Manager of the Centre for Pre-University Studies, KDU College, “Next year’s Math & Science Quiz will integrate teamwork, problem solving and the written quiz. It will be more interesting with the incorporation of brainstorming activities, group work and treasure hunt in addition to the written quiz.

The creative component of the quiz will make the event more challenging and allow the Art stream students to participate as well. We thank all the schools for their support and participation and we look forward to their participation again next year.”

CENTRE FOR PRE UNIVERSITY STUDIES
Results of the Inter-School Math & Science Quiz held in April 2009:

Top 3 winners
Champion - Wong Jen Juan (SMK Bandar Utama 3)
Prizes: Full scholarship & Trophy and Challenge Trophy for School

2nd Place - Goh Jia Shen (SMK Kepong)
Prizes: 80% scholarship & Trophy and Challenge Trophy for School

3rd Place - Tan Jiann Meng (SM Sri KDU)
Prizes: 60% scholarship & Trophy and Challenge Trophy for School.

4th – 10th Place
4 Leow Pei Ting SMK Bukit Rahman Putra 30% scholarship & Trophy
5 Hee Jun Yi SMK USJ 12 30% scholarship & Trophy
6 Lee Derk Huan SMK BU 3 30% scholarship & Trophy
7 Chew Re On SMK USJ 12 30% scholarship & Trophy
8 Gillian Chin Xie Man SMK Seafield 30% scholarship & Trophy
9 Yeo Yih Tang SMK Seafield 30% scholarship & Trophy
10 Rabin Suguna Balan SMK Sri Permata 30% scholarship & Trophy

11th –30th Place
11 Tan Sher Ee SM Sri KDU
12 Haranoop Singh SMK USJ 12
13 Gan Kar Yee SMK Kepong
14 Andrew Ng Kay Lup SMK Cochrane
15 Chong Chun Yew SMK Sri Saujana
16 Kok Cheng Mun SMK Sri Suajana
17 Ng Boon Lee SMK BU 4
18 Sarah Chew Wenlin SMK BU 3
19 Ravee Prakash a/l Subramaniam SMK Kepong
20 Lim Wan Chee SMK Bukit Rahman Putra
21 Adrian Soh Wai Keong SMK USJ 12
22 Brian Han Wei Xiu SMK USJ 12
23 Mohamad Hafridz bin Ramzuzzaman SMK Kelana Jaya
24 Ho Sheng Wang SMK BU 4
25 Keng Zhi Hong SMK BU 2
26 Alwin Tan Wee Giat SMK BU 4
27 Liow Wei Jun SMK USJ 4
28 Chew Wen Yi SMK Kepong
29 Jeremiah Loh Kean Sik SMK BU 3
30 Peter Shaun Pereira SMK BU 3

Consolation
31 Wong Sook Yeang SMK Bukit Bandaraya
32 Lee Qiao Fan SMK Bukit Rahman Putra
33 Teh Sioh Wei SMK Cochrane
34 Germaine Thai Hung Yi SMK Sri KDU
35 Tock Yi Teng (Samantha) SMK BU 3
36 Chin Soon Jie SM Sri KDU
37 Tan Choon Wei SMK BU 2
38 Lim Bing Ran SMK Kepong
39 Tan Wen Quan SMK Kepong
40 Chee Jun Ket SMK Kepong
41 Phua Chin Khen SMK BU 3
42 Phua Siong Hock SMK BU 4
43 Yow Ken Sheng SMK Sri Saujana
44 Fong Sze Hui SMK Bandar Baru Petaling
45 Louis Ho Zhong Zhe SMK USJ 4
46 Tan Wii Huew SMK USJ 12
47 Ong De Ming SMK Abdul Samad
48 Chong Zhi Wei SMK BU 2
49 Wan Mohd Rafiq bin Rahaizad SMK Rahman Putra
50 Sharon Ding Wen Sze SMK Taman Sea

Ronaldo transfer saga finally over

So Cristiano Ronaldo is going to Real Madrid after all.

After months, dare I say years, of speculation, the Portuguese international is finally leaving Old Trafford. I was in a major disappointment recently when my teams Newcastle United was relegated and Arsenal only managed to come in third (yet again). Much has been said around our KDU campus lately but the day has finally come. I am still surprised the offer was accepted so quickly.

I am also surprised that Florentino Perez has pockets deep enough to go for Kaka and Cristiano in the same week! We’re talking about spending over $200 million on both players.

As far as how much he is worth, $130 million is an astronomical fee, but if Ronaldo were going to move, the transfer deal was always going to be a world record.

I mean, if Kaka went for $90 million, then the reigning FIFA World Footballer of the Year would command a larger sum. That makes sense. Whether any human being is worth that much, that is a whole other question. Especially in this current economic climate.

This transfer represents a significant loss not only for Manchester United, but also for the Premier League. From a sporting and financial point of view.

It would be fair to say that Ronaldo has been the competition’s most recognizable and marketable star around the globe in the last few years and league officials will be disappointed that they won’t be able to use the Portuguese star to sell their brand anymore.

England’s top flight generates more revenue than any other, but if losing a player of Ronaldo’s magnitude will surely affect their future broadcasting deals. With the 24 year-old winger gone, Premier League officials will now try to increase the media appeal of other stars like Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Fernando Torres.

For Spain’s La Liga, it’s a unquestionably a coup and this move could signal a shift in power in the world of football. In recent seasons, England have dominated the transfer market with its top clubs attracting the globe’s top players.

With Ronaldo following Kaka to the Bernabeu on the back of Barcelona winning the European Cup, the spotlight has shifted to Spain. A trend that will continue? If Real continue to spend, with David Villa rumoured to be their next target, it’s indeed possible. England could even be overtaken by Italy with Inter and AC Milan ready to dish out the cash.

Degustation - The Final Instalment

What a journey it has been. We have reached the final instalment of the degustation prepared by Chef Kenneth Kam and his team before departing for the competition. Below are the exclusive pictures taken during their preparation for the food in the kitchen. The food, so far, has been marvellous and the guests are mesmerized.

For more information on the School of Hospitality, Tourism & Culinary Arts (SHTCA), explore their website at http://htca.kdu.edu.my or KDU College site at www.kdu.edu.my

You may also contact KDU College counsellor, Mr. Jerome Heah at 03-7728 8123 Ext. 625 or E-mail: best@kdu.edu.my

SMK Sri Permata

Event: Leadership and Teambuilding for SMK Sri Permata
Date : 25th April 2009 (Saturday)
Time : 8:30am – 12:30pm
Location : The Rock Eco Resort, Ulu Yam

KDU College recently organized a Leadership & Teambuilding training for students of SMK Sri Permata’s Prefects (Form 1 – 5). The training took place at Ulu Yam which is 45 minutes from our College. Below are the pictures taken during the training.

David Archuleta Performs At Sri KDU (Official Video)

Ladies and gentlemen, now you can watch the official video of the recent performance by American Idol runner-up, David Archuleta, at SMK Sri KDU.


PART 1


PART 2

University of Manchester and KDU College

London has decided to give up the job of capital and go into quiet retirement. When everyone north of Leicester is done cheering, England looks around for a substitute and after some consideration the nation turns to... Sorry Birmingham, but it can be only Manchester, the uncrowned capital of the north and a city embracing change like few others in Europe.

Manchester knows all about improbable scenarios and has never shied away from responsibility. After all, this was the city that gave birth to capitalism and the Industrial Revolution, so what’s a little self-inflating urban redesign to a burgh that knows a thing or two about altering the history of the world?

Highlights
Manchester Central Library
The Central Library is one of Manchester's most famous and best loved landmarks. For generations of Manchester residents and students, it has been not only the place to study but also somewhere to meet friends. It is open to all.

The Lowry gallery
The Lowry houses two main theatres and studio space for performing arts (1,730, 466 and 180 seats respectively) presenting a full range of drama, opera, ballet, dance, musicals, children's shows, popular music, jazz, folk and comedy and gallery spaces (1,610 metres of floor space); showing the works of LS Lowry alongside contemporary exhibitions.

University of Manchester
University of Manchester is a prestigious university that was involved in splitting the atom as well as creating the modern computer. It is the largest campus in the United Kingdom and is known as "Britain's #1 Student City." Whether you are going to tour the beautiful campus or you enroll in the esteemed classes, the University will not disappoint.

University of Manchester

University Place

My Friend, Annabelle

The John Rylands University Library

Old Trafford
Old Trafford is home to Manchester United, who is one of the best teams in the world. The stadium has a massive capacity of roughly 76,000 and is one of the biggest stadiums in the world! Old Trafford is nicknamed the "Theatre of Dreams" and is a brilliant stadium. The atmosphere is amazing and when a goal is scored you see a sea of red of all ages jumping up and down in joy. Most of the fans sing songs and football chants and if everyone is shouting the noise is phenomenal.

Exchange Square
The IRA bombing in 1996 ruined the City Center. Its redevelopment has created a large, impressive shopping area. Dozens of shops, such as the largest Marks & Spencer in Europe, combine with the comfortable open space of the Square, making it the perfect setting for the avid shopper. A new entrance to the Manchester Arndale Centre and the upscale Triangle are all found in or around Exchange Square.


Best Way To Get Around:
Metrolink Rapid Transit
Manchester has an excellent integrated transport network, which includes the Metrolink tram system which services Manchester airport, the city centre and the local boroughs. The trams are fast and efficient.

Buses
The Metroshuttle City Centre Buses are free and run on two circular routes, which include all major rail stations, bus stops and Metrolink stops.

Cycling
Manchester also has a system of cycling paths, although these can be a bit risky during times of heavy traffic.

Life @ Manchester
I'm sure you're excited with all these offerings by now? Imagine...Studying at a top university, watching the Red Devils play at Old Trafford, hanging out with the greats like Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo, watching gigs from popular bands such as OASIS, TAKE THAT and SIMPLY RED. Now your dreams can become a reality when you register as a student of KDU College's twinning programme with University of Manchester.

KDU-University of Manchester (1+2) B.A. (Hons) Economics

This twinning programme is offered by the School of Arts and Social Sciences (SASS) of KDU College. This twinning route gives its students an opportunity to be part of the outstanding community that belongs to University of Manchester, UK. The university holds a long standing reputation for producing some of the world's finest graduates. So, you too can be part of the success story as a student of University of Manchester. The students will finish their first year in KDU College while completing the remaining 2 years of the programme in Manchester, UK.

Majors available: Accounting, Accounting & Finance, Business Studies, Economics, Economics & Social History, Development Studies, Social Anthropology, Sociology and Social Studies.

Please click here... for more information on this twinning programme or other Business programmes offered by KDU College

You may also contact KDU College programme counsellor, Mr. Lita Tan at 03-7728 8123 Ext. 633 or E-mail: best@kdu.edu.my

About The Author:
The author is an avid backpacker and has traveled to 120 cities and 50 countries. He enjoys meeting new people and learning new cultures. He writes destination reviews on his blog at http://www.davidtann.net

SMK Victoria Institution Visits KDU College

Form 6 Students of SMK Victoria Institution recently paid KDU College a visit. Led by Puan Vasantha, their Guru Cemerlang, the students had a fun time touring the campus and enjoying the culinary workshop.

Secondary schools that are interested to have complimentary culinary workshops at KDU College are advised to contact KDU College. For more information on the School of Hospitality, Tourism & Culinary Arts (SHTCA), explore their website at http://htca.kdu.edu.my or KDU College site at www.kdu.edu.my

You may also contact KDU College counsellor, Mr. Jerome Heah at 03-7728 8123 Ext. 625 or E-mail: best@kdu.edu.my

Power Chef, HotCat & SHTCA Open Day 09

What a day! Besides a number of workshops, an open day, and the Power Chef finale, the 9th of April also was the day when the 4th Hot Cat Tour hit KDU College.

Our Hospitality Race alludes to Hotel, Catering andTourism, the main pilars of hospitality.

Sixteen schools from around KL and the Klang Valley, a total of 57 teams, came over to KDU to battle against one another in a treasure hunt / race, that demanded stamina, knowledge of the world and the hospitality industry and strong team spirit.

We had 12 exciting tasks prepared for the participants. The race took them all through the college, end even to the car park area, where they solved puzzles, prepared dishes, identified foreign countries and almost teared down the Student Service Centre. Sweat dripping and out of breath they were chasing for more clues. At around 11:15am, the first team had completed the last activity, our “Minefield”, and crossed the finish line. It was almost ten minutes later, that the next teams entered the minefield and the outcome here could not have been any closer. It was literally only one second, that decided between second and third place. So, here are the results:

2nd Runner Up: SMK Bandar Utama Damansara 4, B
Runner Up: SMK Bandar Utama Damansara 4, D
Champion: SMK USJ 12, Rainbow

The champion team took home a cheque over RM1,000 and of course our challenge trophy.

We're sure, to see many more teams from all those school for the next installment of this event in 2010!

For more information on the School of Hospitality, Tourism & Culinary Arts (SHTCA), explore their website at http://htca.kdu.edu.my or KDU College site at www.kdu.edu.my

You may also contact KDU College counsellor, Mr. Jerome Heah at 03-7728 8123 Ext. 625 or E-mail: best@kdu.edu.my

Welcome To The World of Molecular Cuisine

I’ve just begun to read Harold McGee’s recent revision of On Food and Cooking: the Science and Lore of the Kitchen. The book covers a wide range of topics in detail – from how cheeses are made, to the science behind tempered chocolate. As you might expect, the explanations can sometimes become quite technical. But the writings I’ve read so far have been very clear and concise, and relatable to my own cooking (haha, yeah right). Hopefully this book will help me become a better cook. After all, who can question your cooking technique when it’s been scientifically proven to work?

While I’m on the topic of molecular gastronomy ('the science of deliciousness’), I thought I would compile a list of resources to help keep track of developments in this rapidly changing field. I came to know this topic only recently from the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts and the event jointly organized with Master Chef Heiko Antoniewics.

According to my ever reliable Wikipedia, Molecular gastronomy is a scientific discipline involving the study of physical and chemical processes that occur in cooking. It pertains to the mechanisms behind the transformation of ingredients in cooking and the social, artistic and technical components of culinary and gastronomic phenomena in general. YES, the terminology seems mouthful but you must first try the cuisine before you can appreciate them.

Coming back to Chef Heiko, he is an independent consultant and trainer. The "Magician of Molecular Cuisine" (Catering Inside 07/05) shares his knowledge of molecular cuisine, product development, and quality management with others.

Chef Heiko is currently working with KDU College to provide his expertise in the culinary diploma programme of which KDU College is the FIRST in the world to offer such a module. WOW! For those of you readers who wish to know more about molecular gastronomy, you may check it out with KDU College counsellor, Mr. Jerome Heah at 03-7728 8123 Ext. 625 or E-mail: best@kdu.edu.my

For more information on the School of Hospitality, Tourism & Culinary Arts (SHTCA), explore their website at http://htca.kdu.edu.my or KDU College site at www.kdu.edu.my

Molecular Cooking with Chef Heiko Antoniewics @ KDU College

Master Chef Heiko Antoniewics from Germany recently visited Kuala Lumpur and made an exclusive appearance at KDU College PJ Campus. Chef Heiko, as he is popularly known, spent time in demonstrating molecular cooking to a group of KDU College students.

This Molecular Cooking class is unique and will be offered as part of the current two Culinary Diploma programmes at KDU College. This Molecular Cooking module is the first of its kind in the world being offered at the Diploma level.

The event was organized by the School of Hospitality, Tourism & Culinary Arts (SHTCA). For more exciting programmes offered by SHTCA, please visit their website at http://htca.kdu.edu.my or KDU College at http://www.kdu.edu.my

David Archuleta visited SMK Sri KDU

Friday April 10, 2009

Students go ga ga over American Idol runner-up’s visit

The real world and cyberspace were caught up in the David Archuleta mania as the runner-up of last year’s American Idol made a surprise appearance at SMK Sri KDU in Kota Damansara.

“It was crazy as I did not realise how many kids would be there.

“I did not expect them to be that enthusiastic and have that much energy,” said Archuleta of the big crowd at the school yesterday.

He was mobbed by an equally huge crowd when he landed at KL International Airport on Wednesday.

The students of the school were rewarded with the special visit after having won the Hitz.fm “Bring Archuleta To Your School” campaign.

Students were required to answer questions and vote for their schools on the radio station’s website. The school garnered a whopping 65,700 votes.

“I voted for our school so many times. I just kept clicking the submit button (on the website) over and over again!” exclaimed Form 4 student Goh Lih Seng, who added that he enjoyed Archuleta’s music but was never a big fan. “Now I’m a huge fan!” he said.

The 18-year-old singer spent about an hour at the secondary school, posing for pictures with the top students before entering the hall where he was greeted with screams.

Meanwhile, the team from The Star’s youth platform R.AGE was hard at work at the school, keeping fans of the baby-faced singer updated with what was happening.

Using the social networking tool Twitter, which allows people to follow updates of fellow “Tweeple”, the R.AGE team was able to notify anyone with immediate updates and pictures on site, including replies by Archuleta from an interview conducted after the event.

Earlier, Archuleta told the crowd how much he loved Malaysia and what a surreal experience it was for him to be in Malaysia, all the way from Utah, United States.

He also talked to the students about how he got through high school with good grades.

“I wasn’t the smartest in my class but I took my time and worked at (my studies). The effort is what helped me out and got me the grades I wanted,” Archuleta said.

After the event, Archuleta held a press conference at the Sunway Lagoon Theme Park. He will perform a special showcase at Sunway Lagoon Amphitheatre at 3pm on Saturday.

Dine with Confidence

I add neither sugar nor milk in my coffee until I taste it. I prefer to taste the fresh brew before deciding how much sugar or milk I want to add into the coffee. I get puzzled looks every time I do that. For many, adding a certain amount of sugar or milk into the coffee is routine but I beg to differ. I taste all my food or drinks before deciding if I’d like to enhance the flavor with the help of seasonings. Well, I guess we are habitual beings and I’ve had that habit for a long time.

From my observation, Malaysians are an impatient lot when it comes to food or drinks. The moment the piping hot soup is served, many of us are guilty in adding pepper or soy sauce nary a second thought… This may be a common sight in many restaurants in Malaysia, but I bet many foreigners are amused by our dining etiquette, or rather, lack of it.

This brings us to my recent mini dining etiquette lesson at the Bon Appetit fine-dining training restaurant at KDU College, Penang. The dining etiquette lesson is part of the Executive Development Training (EDT) program which is a short program to give graduating students finishing touches before they venture into the working world. Fifteen graduating IT degree students attended the short albeit informational course. Table manners are vital as all of us want to leave favorable impression on our clients, colleagues or bosses. Table manners are also visible signals of the state of our manners and therefore essential for professional success.

I was taught not to make too much noise on the dining table, place my elbows on the table and chew with my mouth open as a kid. And I still diligently follow those rules. These are some common etiquette many Malaysians are familiar with. Enter the Western dining etiquette and many of us will be clueless and overwhelmed by the elaborate table setting, cutlery and stem wares, and not to mention the many unfamiliar customs and practices.

The mini dining etiquette lesson I attended was a good crash course for those who are unfamiliar with Western dining etiquette. Aptly themed ‘Dine with Confidence’, the lesson was easy to follow and the instructor, Mr. Prakash from the School of Hospitality, Tourism & Culinary Arts at KDU College, Penang is accommodating and has a good sense of humor. We began with an overview of dining etiquette and Mr. Prakash agreed that there were so many things to learn in a proper dining setting and the mini lesson was meant to provide a general understanding on how to behave or avoid making embarrassing mistakes when dining in a fine-dining restaurant.

We had a good 2-hour lunch cum lesson at Bon Appetit. We had a hands-on experience as we were fed while we were following the lesson. It was a fun session and everyone was enjoying their meals, almost forgetting that we were in a lesson. Mr. Prakash was kind enough to answer all sorts of questions and shared some tips with all the diners. Good food, good company and nice ambiance…sound pretty much like the perfect meal, isn’t it?

Achieve Your Best Result (Sri KDU Workshop)

On Wednesday, a team from KDU led a session with 175 Form Five students from Sri KDU entitled, "Achieve Your Best Potential". As always, we combined fun with learning, interaction and a healthy dose of daring. Our team - comprising of Dr. Tan, Datin Lily, Allan, Alwyn, Alex and Ann - covered topics like goal-setting, time management, teamwork, synergy, communication and even character-building.

We provided tools to a) map their future goals against present achievement and to b) identity role-critical activities to manage their time better. We put them in situations requiring coordinated communication and cooperation. We even challenged all of them to a mid-air race on plastic pipes!

Stay tuned for more photos and videos!

MR TEO SOO PIN KDU DEBATE CHALLENGE 2009

MR TEO SOO PIN KDU DEBATE CHALLENGE 2009
3rd & 4th April 2009

Our annual KDU Debate Challenge is just around the corner! We look forward to have all of you to come and support the event.

This debate is open to all KDU College students. If students are interested to debate and have not signed up, kindly do so TODAY at the Student Services Centre (PIC: Ms Hannah).

We hope you could bring along your friends to support and learn from this exciting and fun debate challenge!

Dato' C Q Teo - KDU Debate Challenge 2009

We will be having our “Dato’ CQ Teo KDU Debate Challenge 2009” on the 1st & 2nd April 2009! We believe it will be an exciting event as 24 teams from high schools around Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan will be participating in this event.

Come and join us in this debate challenge! Below are the details:

Dato' C Q Teo - KDU Debate Challenge 2009

Day 1, 1st April 09 (Wednesday)
8.30am Registration & Refreshments
9.00am Briefing for Judges & Participants
9.30am Motion Release : Round 1
10.00am Round 1 starts
11.30am Motion Release : Round 2
12.00pm Round 2 starts
1.00pm Lunch
2.00pm Motion Release : Round 3
2.30pm Round 3 starts
3.30pm The End


Day 2, 2nd April 09 (Thursday)
8.30am Registration
9.00am Motion Release : Round 4
9.30am Round 4 starts
11.00am Motion Release : Quarter Finals
11.30am Quarter Finals starts
12.30pm Lunch
1.15pm Announcement on Semi Finalist
1.30pm Motion Release : Semi Finals
2.00pm Semi Finals starts
3.30pm Tea Break
4.00pm Motions Release : Finals
4.30pm Grand Finals starts
5.45pm Prize Giving Ceremony

Any further enquiries, do come and see us at the One Stop Centre/Student Services Centre (PIC: Ms Hannah)

Top Chef's Tom Colicchio

Q&A with Kate Pickert

Tom Colicchio is a highly successful New York-based chef and cookbook author, but to fans of Bravo's cooking reality show Top Chef, he's the head judge. His piercing blue eyes, bald head and bottom-line honesty have helped make the competition show, which airs it's fifth season's finale Feb. 24, a dream opportunity for aspiring top chefs across the country. Colicchio talked to TIME about the love affair between two contestants, fellow judge Toby Young and saving a life the night before Barack Obama's inauguration.

You've talked about how you get your teenage son to eat healthy food. What does he think about your on-air personality?
He does watch the show. But I'm Dad. My on-air personality is not very different than my normal personality.

My son, before he went to school, he'd eat pretty much everything. Then as soon as he went to school, he got some peer pressure and other kids would say, 'Oh, you're gonna eat that. That's horrible. That's disgusting.'

What did your son eat before he started going to school?
Green vegetables. He has a problem with green things. I don't know why. If we have pizza and there's basil on it, he'll pick the basil out. But he likes peas for some reason.

Who have been the best characters in Top Chef's history?
First off, I need to say that we don't vote characters. All the personalities that come out in the reality part of the show — we're not privy to that. We had no idea Hosea and Leah were making out. We don't know, nor do we care.

But putting that aside — Stephen and his battle first season. He was a good cook, he had that tie on all the time, he was a real character. I think Hung had a big personality and I think he'll always been known for how fast he was in the kitchen, teetering on the edge of being dangerous. This season, obviously Fabio obviously is a big personality and a great guy. But I think also the villains stand out, like the Stefans and like the Tiffanis.

You said your on-air personality is not that different than your regular personality. Is [host] Padma [Lakshmi] different off the air?
No comment on that. (Laughs)

Is [Season 5 judge] Toby Young going to be back again?
I have no idea. A lot of people were like 'Oh, I can tell Tom hates Toby.' I actually got along with him really well. To get some fresh blood is nice. He's actually quite charming and funny and witty and I enjoyed having him around, so I don't know why people think that I hate him.

How often do you have big disagreements among the judges about who should win or lose the challenge?
From time to time, we'll have disagreements.

Who prevails?
If it's a tie, I do. We don't deliberate off camera at all. Often, when a guest judge is in, we have to tell them 'Keep your comments for the camera.' We don't want to have to recreate that conversation because we're not actors and it would sound sort of trite. I want to have a nice lively debate. What bugs me is if you get a judge on who thinks that their role is just to be witty and funny and clever and look at me. The show isn't about the judges. The show is about the contestants.

How much involvement do you have in what the challenges are?
The producers come up with the challenges.

Have there ever been challenges where you thought, 'This is so weird'?
I remember in the first season going 'This is retarded. I can't believe they're making chefs do this.' But then it actually does show off certain skills. And at the end of the day, this is entertainment and this stuff is very entertaining. Is a lot of it ridiculous? Of course it is. But that's what makes it interesting.

I heard you saved cookbook author Joan Nathan's life with the Heimlich maneuver at an inauguration party this year. Is that true?
It's true. It all happened so quickly. I was literally three feet from her. I was having a conversation with somebody else. She came in and I looked to my right and I saw her holding throat and two people next to her patting her back. And I walked over, put my arms around her and said, 'Can you talk?' She said 'No.' I hit her once. I asked her again. She said no. I did it again, chicken came out and that was it. It happened so fast.

Was the Heimlich maneuver part of your formal chef training?
I had some training — I was a lifeguard when I was 17 years old.

I know you can't divulge the winner, but can you tell us anything about what we'll see in the season finale?
People come up to me all the time and ask who won. It's like, if you watch the show, do you really want to know? I don't tell anybody. I think my wife may know. My son doesn't know. I love it when people say, 'You can tell me. I won't tell anybody.' Oh right, the contract that I signed that says I can go to jail for telling, you're excluded, right? No!

Read About Tom Colicchio Cooking a Meal for Under $10

Go,Going,Gone Green

Preserving and conserving the environment has been an on-going effort since the 1980’s.

Over the years, world leaders, celebrities and environment activists have done their bid to preserve Mother Nature by turning to organic food, endorsing and purchasing hybrid cars and using recyclable bags to do their shopping. On 5 March 2009, the students and staff at KDU College, Penang stepped up to do their bid.

The project aptly themed Green Environment Project is spearheaded by the Student Council at KDU College, Penang. This enthusiastic team of students planned out year-long activities in conjunction with their project to raise awareness, educate and to encourage the students and staff at KDU College, Penang to preserve and conserve Mother Nature for the future generation. Among the activities that are scheduled for the year is a Green t-shirt design competition, an environment talk, an environment video presentation, a recycling project, a Green fair and a visit to a recycling plant.

The Principal of KDU College, Penang, Dr Chong Beng Keok officiated the Green Environment Project. In her opening speech, she mentioned how on our part we can help conserve the environment by using biodegradable products to reduce waste in landfills. She also said that the projects that were lined up throughout the year were in line with the efforts that were being carried out globally for the same cause. She encouraged everyone to do their bid for the environment because no effort is too small to make a difference.

The Student Council had some very creative activities lined up for the launch. They asked the Principal to officiate the event by watering a small potted plant with a recyclable drinking water bottle and later proceeded with a short sketch that centred on the importance of recycling. To ensure that everyone understood the importance of preserving the environment, they played a montage of clips from celebrities and environment activists about the deterioration of Mother Nature and why it should be everyone’s responsibility to preserve and conserve it.

The staff and students at KDU College, Penang are doing their bid for Mother Nature by going green. What about you?

Dynamic Duo Made KDU College Penang Proud

Passion. It means different things to different individuals. The passion for fashion takes fashionistas from New York to Paris. Passion for food takes food lovers from one continent to another. Passion to make good music has kept the music industry evolving. Now, this is a story about two college students, whose passion made them RM 10,000 richer.

Jerry Tan Hong Theam and Ellis Un Yang Horng are very passionate about their work. They pay attention to the tiniest detail and nothing skips their sight. Imperfection would mean compromising the quality of their work. So, when Jerry first saw an advertisement of a design competition, he knew what he had to do. He also knew there would be hard work and sleepless nights involved. But, he was determined to do it. He also knew he was working against the clock. He went looking for a partner, someone who could help him and someone who shares his passion for design. That someone was Ellis Un. They immediately got down to work and started discussing details like material, rendering, measurement and colour. They said that they maximised their drawing skills especially in 3D as they worked on the sculpture.

Jerry is a second year Interior Design student who wanted to take part in this competition to gauge his designing skills in a high-profile competition. Ellis, who is in her final year of the Diploma in Interior Design, reckoned that the competition would work in her favour and give her some experience and exposure before she graduates and ventures into the working world.

The theme of the competition was ‘Tomorrow’s Butterfly, Tomorrow’s Penang.’ Jerry’s mind was already busy churning ideas when he saw the theme of the competition. He shared his thoughts with his partner, Ellis and she thought that the idea was creative and original. She was all for it. Though they had the idea worked out in their minds, researching and sourcing for material was entirely a different ball game. After four months of research, the duo finally decided on the kind of material they wanted to use and how the sculpture was going to look like. It took them a week to put the sculpture together.

The finished sculpture had many meanings to it. Mainly, it represented unity among the three races in Penang; the Malays, Chinese and Indians. The base of the sculpture is a map of Penang Island that is segregated into five parts, symbolising the elements of fire, water, wood, gold and earth. Jerry and Ellis implied that the base was segregated to give Penang Island good ‘feng shui’ or good energy. The sculpture was made of three pieces of paper clay that were shaped to look like the map of the Penang Island. The three pieces were then arranged vertically in such a way where they were able to hold up a globe made of wires on the top, representing the world.

Jerry and Ellis wanted to convey an important message through their sculpture. They wish to highlight that Penang Island can be at par with other cities in the world if only all races put their differences aside and worked together. They believe that only through unity, can a nation be at peace and harmony. Jerry added that they managed to get the work done in one week because they worked as a team. They reaped the fruits of their labour when their design won the first prize at the competition. The dynamic duo also said that they learned a lot from this competition and managed to enhance their designing skills. They expressed their heartfelt gratitude to their lecturers and classmates for the support and help that they received when they were working on the project.

Open Day @ KDU College, Penang

The Open Day at KDU College, Penang on 14 and 15 March 2009 was rather unusual albeit a happening one. Traditionally, students who came to enquire about the academic programmes would meet our experienced counsellors and academic staff to chart their study routes. This time around, there was as array of activities that took place besides academic counselling.

KDU College, Penang invited both profit and non profit organisations to join the Open Day fun. Pleo from Pensonic, BP Healthcare Group, England Optical Group were present during the Open Day. Besides that, non-governmental organisations like the Persatuan Kebajikan HOPE worldwide and the Persatuan Pembangunan Wanita Melayu Pulau Pinang were also present to promote their cause.

KDU College, Penang’s two-day Open Day was flooded with SPM and STPM leavers, numbered more than 500 walk-ins. All the lecturers and education counsellors were kept busy counselling back to back. Though it was a weekend, the college came alive thanks to the scores of students and parents. Some even stopped to take their blood pressure at a booth manned by nursing students from the School of Nursing and Allied Health at KDU College, Penang.