NBCUniversal International Networks’ DIVA organises My Kuih Raya Rules event

So yours truly was over at the Pool Bar & Grill@8 of the Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur to check out the My Kuih Raya Rules event.. 

 My Kuih Raya Rules was a cookie making contest inspired by the hit cooking competition series My Kitchen Rules, which airs on NBCUniversal International Networks’ DIVA (Astro Channel 702 and HD Channel 723) every Monday to Wednesday at 9:25pm.

Participants of the My Kuih Raya Rules contest had to post photos of their best kuih creations on Instagram along with an explanation on why they think their kuih raya rules. 

Happy faces - Sham, Marini, me and Zuan - pic credit to Sham

The top two participants then presented their creations to the contest’s panel of judges: Malaysian celebrity chef Zamzani Abdul Wahab (Chef Zam) and My Kitchen Rules Season 7 winners Tasia and Gracia Seger, at a private iftar at Le Meridien’s Pool Bar & Grill@8 last night.

Friends - me, Marini, Sham and Fiqrie - pic credit to Fiqrie Dahari

Yours truly was fortunate to be among the invited media along with Marini, a blogger friend, Sham from Gaya Travel and the good looking Fiqrie Dahari from Red FM along with many other guests, a testament to DIVA’s commitment in creating high impact, locally relevant brand experiences for Malaysian audiences. 

Hmmm.. like who does not watch Diva right.. they have some of the coolest programmes around..

Besides judging the cookies, Tasia, Gracia and Chef Zam  joined the stage activities and lucky draws.

 Proceeds of the event went to The Association of Creative Sewing Art of Malaysia, an association made by single mothers and the disabled.

Decision, decisions, which one should I vote for...

The judges, along with members of the media, clients and guests of NBCUniversal International Networks, were tasked with voting for the best kuih raya creation during the grand finale.

I can assure you it was no easy task as both were just as good as the other and in fact, most on my table voted for The Pink Nuthouse...

Falihin’s onde-onde DIVA cookies, filled with pandan and coconut flavors and salted caramel gula melaka topping won 112 votes. Falihin described his creation as an inspiration of a famous Malaysian delicacy “with a little twist and creativity – the taste is luscious and heavenly.”

“I feel so happy winning the contest, especially to have come all the way from Johor. My mom and friends who helped made these cookies with me will be thrilled,” he said.

The first runner-up, duo Farah Melissa and Satira Diana of artisan bakery KEK & Co, won 96 votes for their nutty spin on kuih makmur called The Pink Nuthouse. They described their creation as “nuttier than your ex-girlfriend” that will “not only melt in your mouths, but also in your hearts”.

“We didn’t even expect to get this far in the contest because we entered at the very last minute – literally on the last day of submissions! We are happy everyone got to see our modern creations,” said Farah, who won RM800 with her KEK & Co co-founder Satira. 

Do not forget to tune in to My Kitchen Rules S8 airs Mondays to Wednesdays 9:25pm on DIVA (Astro Channel 702 & HD Channel 723).

yours truly with Tasia, Chef Zam,Graciam Marini and Sham - pic credit to Fiqrie Dahari