Mandy Yin announced as 'celebrASIA' ambassador
Malaysian chef, food writer and founder of award-winning Sambal Shiok Laksa Bar in London, Mandy Yin, has been announced as ambassador for the upcoming 'celebrASIA' festival at Battersea Power Station.
The event will occur across the riverside neighbourhood between 13 and 15 September. Battersea Power Station is working closely with the High Commissioners and Ambassadors from the missions of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in London, a union of 10 countries that promote economic and cultural exchange among its members and with countries around the globe, to showcase the best of the region.
The festival will be held both in and outside the iconic Grade II-listed Power Station, which has strong links with the South East Asian region, through the development's Malaysian owners.
Yin is proud of her Malaysian heritage and passionate about introducing as many as people as possible to the country's cuisine and culture.
"I'm thrilled to be an ambassador of celebrASIA and to be part of introducing this exciting new festival to London," she says. "I have always been passionate about sharing my love of Malaysian cuisine and culture with as many people as possible. Since I moved to London, there hasn't been an event like celebrASIA before. It truly is one-of-a-kind, especially as it's taking place at the iconic Battersea Power Station."
The festival
On top of being an ambassador, Yin has teamed up with Chick'n'Sours to create a chicken satay burger, which is exclusive to celebrASIA, marrying her popular tomato sambal and peanut sauce, which launched her career 10 years ago, with Chick'n'Sours' crispy fried chicken.
Other celebrASIA exclusives include Chick'n'Sours' collaboration with Rangoon Sisters, while London's only Cambodian culinary offering, Mamapen, is joining forces with The Duck Shed on a special menu for the event, alongside offering classic dishes from the restaurant.
Some of the city's finest South East Asian chefs and eateries are joining the line-up, including Malaysia's Roti King, which has a permanent restaurant at Battersea Power Station, as well as Singapore's Old Chang Kee and Budgie Montoya's APOY, to name a few. Plus, pioneering Filipino hotspot Kasa and Kin will be on hand with ice cream and desserts, alongside drinks courtesy of Singaporean tea and coffee specialists, Kopi House.
Traditional street food vendors taking part include Eat Lag and Pandan Bakery from Malaysia, Yaay Yaay from Thailand, Makatcha from Indonesia and Hanoi Kitchen from Vietnam.