Past Events

25 September 2024 – GTLF PLUS: [Book Launch & Cooking Demo] The Tastes of Home: Easy-to-Cook Dishes from Singapore and Malaysia by Dr Ong Jin Teong

GTLF PLUS: [Book Launch & Cooking Demonstration] The Tastes of Home: Easy-to-Cook Dishes from Singapore and Malaysia by Dr Ong Jin Teong

Details
Speaker: Dr Ong Jin Teong
Date: Wednesday, 25 September 2024
Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Venue: Conference Hall, Penang Institute

Entrance to this event is FREE.

Join us in person or watch the live stream on Penang Institute’s Facebook and YouTube channels.

Abstract

To celebrate Penang Institute’s commitment to public education and engagement, we are excited to introduce GTLF Plus, a new initiative dedicated to promoting book launches, discussions, and workshops throughout the year, stemming from the George Town Literary Festival brand. GTLF Plus programmes will be held across George Town venues, and throughout the year, to stimulate interest in literature and culture.

This inaugural GTLF Plus event features the launch of Dr. Ong Jin Teong’s latest book, The Tastes of Home: Easy-to-Cook Dishes from Singapore and Malaysia. This special occasion will include a cooking demonstration showcasing several dishes from the book. Join us for a unique experience as Dr. Ong Jin Teong shares his personal journey through food, enriched by sensory demonstrations of the featured recipes. This latest book was inspired by his wish to help Malaysian and Singaporean students living overseas to cook their own beloved dishes.

About The Speaker

Dr Ong Jin Teong was born and raised in a Penang Nonya family. He was encouraged by his mother to cook at an early age. A retired professor from the Nanyang Technological University’s College of Engineering, he obtained his PhD from Imperial College London. He is currently a consultant on wireless engineering and on heritage food and on heritage related to food. He has extensively researched Penang and Nonya cuisines. and is a sought-after authority on the subjects. He lectures and photographs, and occasionally runs supper clubs and conducts cooking classes on Penang heritage food. Venues include the Singapore Peranakan Museum, the Penang Heritage Trust, the Tropical Spice Garden, Straits Chinese Penang Association and The Kitchen Society.
He is the author of the award winning books, NONYA HERITAGE KITCHEN – Origins, Utensils and Recipes and PENANG HERITAGE FOOD – Yesterday’s Recipes for Today’s Cook.

Event Summary

On September 25, the Penang Institute hosted the inaugural session of GTLF Plus, featuring the launch of Dr. Ong Jin Teong’s book, The Tastes of Home: Easy-to-Cook Dishes from Singapore and Malaysia, along with a cooking demonstration. During the event, Dr. Ong shared childhood memories of growing up in Penang, where he was deeply immersed in his family’s Nyonya culture, which shaped his culinary journey. As he studied abroad, food became a vital link to his family and hometown. The cooking demonstration highlighted five easy-to-prepare dishes, taking attendees on a delightful exploration of home flavors. The event drew a large crowd and fostered lively engagement.

Event Highlights