JamieOliver.com

I have a new look on my blog. New banner and all the stuff. I have a very interesting recipe of Matcha  & Caramel Sponge Cake. My blog will be telling new stories and I want to share that as well to my fellow bloggers here at JamieOliver.com so they know how Jamie has inspired me in every culinary moves I make. I hope I will inspire you as well and it's been a long while since I written something here. I am glad to write my first one now that I am here in Italy.

please drop by here...
www.artist-chef.blogspot.com

big hug,
joanie  xxx

May 27 has just arrived again. Another day for me to remember the man I consider GOD in my culinary journey. I will forget to blog on the day of my birthday but never on Jamie Oliver's birthday. This is his first birthday that I would greet him after meeting him in person in London last October. For me he is the noblest human being that has ever existed on this planet, without any exaggeration. Being aware about all his campaigns and good deeds in life in helping people by using his ultimate passion and talent about food, makes me admire him more each day. He has already proven himself that he is more than just this fat chef with a drum kit as what Marco Pierre White has brutally said about him couple of years ago. I would vehemently disagree on that. I would just wish he continue to produce good TV shows, delightful cook books and stunning food campaigns. I also wish he will continue to develop good products through his JME online products.

Behind all these countless activities this man is busy about, at the end of the day --he is a good dad and a loving husband. I think he wouldn't ask for more now that he has a gorgeous wife--Jools, 3 lovely daughters and an adorable son. A very good family man. Never became conceited. In this world, good people are blessed because of their good deeds and Jamie is one of those. He is like a pitcher filled with blessings and what he does is to pour it to other people and share it.

Happy Birthday Jamie!

Hello April 30!!!

It's another birthday indeed. The year that was--came so quickly that I didn't realize I am a year older again. I can say that last year was the best year of my life. It has a lot of meaningful anecdotes, significant stories, priceless moments, dreams turned into reality and a breaking milestone.

So as usual my birthday is the day of my life that I really yearn for a cake. I prepared myself to do my own cake with the fear that no one will give me one. So prior this day I've been struggling which cake to make. Whether an Australian Pavlova or the Italian Tiramisu. And guess what? I know you figured out the answer even before you read this. Pavlova made it! I was able to bake this meringue dessert from the people down under. It was a success despite the mishaps. I promise to do it again next time to perfect it, Baking it the first time is not as perfect as it supposed to be.

So came the day of my birthday I just intended to cook little food plus my Pavlova and invited friends who are in town at that day because most people are out of town because of the 4-day weekend. I had 4 guests and they all brought me presents. I was really touched. Yeng Reyes brought in an additional cake, JP & Marge brought me a bouquet of flowers and Xie Hao never fails to give me something for my beauty regimen. After dinner, Xie Hao and I went to Park Hyatt for one round of drinks and what a surprise when a guy whom we think is a traveling business man was smitten by my petite beauty. He offered me and Xie free drinks. We had an interesting conversation with the generous and gentleman who is an American. To conclude things, it was a quiet April 30 birthday.

Last year was really a very happy year in so many ways. It will be another year coming and I do believe that this is my prime. I haven't really found what I am exactly looking for. Things are coming my way but I have to choose which one is the right one. But for now, the only thing that I know is right---is my upcoming culinary study in Italy this September. I don't have plans in my life right now except for that. If I succeed or not, I know the experience I will have in Italy will enrich me as a passionate cook.

big hug,
joanie xxx

They say when it comes to love, there's no distance nor language is a daunting barrier. But people have to work extra harder to make that phrase possible. Some people want to be with the person they love or like on Valentine's Day but their enemies (which are time and money) always defeat them. It's hard to battle when these two things are your opponents especially when the person you long to see is on the other side of the planet. On the other hand, some people want to express how they extremely feel about the person they love or like but words are inadequate to elaborate their emotions when they struggle and juggle for the right words just to say it. It’s hard again to battle with language barrier but at the end of the day once the essence is captured in the broken English---it will be good enough to melt your heart.

Through the years Valentine’s Day for me is slowly becoming an obsolete thing. I am often affected by the behavior of society. I’ve seen a lot of married couples that both practice infidelity. I do understand that the human need is endless. Human beings never stop wanting to be taken cared of, to be appreciated, to experience new things or new person and the list goes on. So sometimes I don’t see the point of marriage. But at the end of my own tunnel the famous movie characters like Jonathan Trager, Declan and fictional person John Green with his famous quote, I think they still do exist. It’s hard to find them nowadays but you just have to keep lookin'. Whether I meet someone like them along my journey or not, things will be fine. I may get disillusioned about the concept of marriage but never on falling in love.

Here’s a heart-warming Italian dessert Panacotta. My version of cooking cream and jelly together. Something I did for Valentine’s Day even though I was in the verge of sleeping last night.

big hug,
joanie  xxx

www.artist-chef.blogspot.com

Hi there fellow bloggers from my JamieOliver.com family. It was an exciting year last 2010. I look forward to more engaging activities in my favorite food website. The most efficient and interactive website I have visited so far. The online team of this website are among  the most humble and hard working people in the planet.

I'm just happy to share everyone now that I finally roasted a turkey for the first time during New Year's eve. It was a complete success. Thank you Jamie Oliver for your wonderful recipe! You have been an inspiration to me and to all the people whom you touched lives.

Here's to a more exciting year and wishing for a 2011 that rocks!

View my complete turkey story in my blog:
www.artist-chef.blogspot.com

big hug,
joanie  xxx