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Wednesday August 29, 2012

Hong Kong celebrity chef So in the soup

By REGINA LEE
regina@thestar.com.my


PETALING JAYA: Foodies and Netizens are crying foul after an old video of a Hong Kong celebrity chef dissing Malaysian cuisine resurfaced.

TV personality So Sze-wong, one of the brand ambassadors for Tong Pak Fu, a Hong Kong dessert chain, had apparently made disparaging remarks about Malaysian food during the opening ceremony of the chain at Suria KLCC in October last year.

In a video that only made its rounds last week, So had said: “I feel that Malaysian food is especially difficult to eat,” triggering laughter from the crowd.

An off-camera voice was heard asking her whether she was sure of her remark, to which she replied in jest: “Definitely. But I hope with the opening of Tong Pak Fu here, it will help bring some good food here.”

Angered by her remarks, an Internet user started a Facebook page called “Boycott Tong Pak Fu and So Sze-wong” last Thursday. It has attracted 2,400 “likes” so far and a barrage of insults targeted at So.

The dessert chain has apologised on its Facebook page on So's behalf and heaped praises on Malaysian food.

It acknowledged that Malaysia was a multi-cultural country that enjoyed a variety of flavours.

Tong Pak Fu has also infused its dessert with a local twist, such as the Durian Snow Ice dessert.

Local chef Florence Tan, who specialises in nyonya cuisine, was also put off by So's comments but urged the public to take it with a pinch of salt.

Other Facebook users have also urged people to let the matter rest.

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