
Nostalgia for home inspires these colourful bakes
Pandan drømmekage. Credit: Murdoch Books / Rochelle Eagle At , Raymond Tan re-imagines his nostalgia for home into colourful creations that bring a South-East Asian influence to Western bakes – and vice versa. Fittingly, raya means 'celebration' in Malay. And first of all it's a celebration for the eyes: a Danish drømmekage takes on the classic Malaysian trifecta of pandan (get the recipe here), coconut and gula Melaka (molasses-y palm sugar from the famous port town), and custard tarts are richly purpled by ube. At festival times, there are offerings of ornate mooncakes flavoured with bandung (a fragrant drink of rose syrup and condensed milk); red bean, lychee and pistachio for Lunar New Year; or Christmassy pink and cream chequerboard cookies laced with salted plum.
It can all be traced back to one fateful day when the then accounting student turned on his oven. "We didn't have ovens in Malaysian houses," he says. "I've always loved cooking, but my baking began when I came to Melbourne and I realised there was an oven in every apartment, but I'd never turned one on."
His interest in baking was piqued by the drama of MasterChef . "Baking seemed like the hardest thing – everyone seemed to flop," he says. Instead of putting him off, it quite literally ignited something. Baking for family and friends turned into selling whole cakes (putting his skills from his accounting degree to use, he quickly realised he could break even). It all came with a sweet discovery: "I realised that dessert is something that no one ever complains about. Every time you bring a dessert, that's what people remember the most. Those are the moments I wanted to make," he says. All the while, he'd been documenting his self-taught baking on a platform that was beginning to take off – – where he gained a big audience for the dramatic creations he'd whip up in his tiny home kitchen. "I was comfortable working because I was just doing things for my friends and family. So you can't really go wrong with that, and I think that gave me the confidence to just keep doing it," he says. Whirlwind years ensued as invitations to teach cake-decorating workshops owed in from everywhere from London to Paris.
Back in Melbourne during COVID lockdowns, things began to change course. "One of the reasons Raya came about was because I realised I don't want people to just look at my Instagram. I want people to taste my food," he says. "I really love it; it's more real." Homesick for Malaysia, he turned his attention to the art of making – the snack-sized canon of Malaysian desserts, brightly coloured, sometimes wrapped in banana-leaf parcels or rolled in coconut, and often made from glutinous rice. "There weren't that many kuehs around at that time. I missed home, there was no travel, so I tried to make them more home-like, what I remembered them to be." His medley boxes – a staple at Raya today – were a hit. The success nudged him towards a thought that had been lingering at the back of his mind. "I saw an opportunity to show my Malaysian background," he says, "because you always hear that Malaysia is all about food but you don't hear so much about the sweets." He has grand plans for kueh. "Right now what we're doing is very traditional, but there's just so much that you can do with this thing alone."
He also has words of encouragement for new bakers or business starters. "Don't be afraid to start. If I can do it, everyone can – even from the tiniest of kitchens – as long as you're passionate and serious about it. That's the most important ingredient, I think. "...Baking is kind of like puzzling: if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. I always tell my team to experiment with whatever we have in the shop – and no matter what mistakes you make, remember that at the end of the day, it's just cake." Watch now
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SBS Australia
35 minutes ago
- SBS Australia
'I do this s*** for a living': The competition that rewards you for doing absolutely nothing
The Space Out competition awards a winner who has the lowest heart rate and best costume. Source: SBS News / Madeleine Wedesweiler An engineer, a fountain with warm running water, a Japanese elder, two rival Teletubbies and an actual labrador — these were some of the "athletes" in the running for the winner of Melbourne's competition to be the best at doing absolutely nothing. The Space Out contest, part of the city's winter Rising Festival, crowns its champion based on who can maintain the lowest heart rate for 90 minutes, as competitors veg out in a public space. Participants have their heart rate measured by doctors every 15 minutes to capture their technical score, and can be awarded points for their costumes and vibe — their artistic score. There is a somewhat serious element along with the novelty. South Korean artist Woopsyang first ran the competition in Seoul in 2014 to make a statement about hustle culture and burnout. This year in Melbourne, with perhaps the most elaborate costume of the day and certainly the only to use running water and electricity, local puppeteer Amelia took home the winner's certificate, dressed as a fountain. Sitting in a pool of water for the event's duration, Amelia had two helpers heating the water with kettles to help manage the cold conditions caused by polar air across southeastern Australia. But the event's presenters speculated the water lowered her heart rate — cold water is known to slow the body's blood pressure and heart rate and can eventually lead to hypothermia and possibly death from prolonged exposure. "I chose to do a puppet that uses water as I think it is the laziest of all elements, t always finds the path of least resistance," Amelia told SBS News before the competition started. "My strategy is to imagine that I am a sea sponge." In her winner's speech Amelia dedicated the win to the fountain in her grandmother's garden. "It's where she likes to sit and experience serenity. [I dedicate this] to everyone here as well, we are all fountains from when we wake up and take a shower until, well, when we next take a shower." Runner-up was Anthony, a man who initially claimed to be an engineer and was dressed as one, but then said he lied and he's unemployed. Tiggolo, a retired seeing-eye dog, was awarded third place for his very low heart rate and zen nature. The black Labrador's owner said he was keen to chill out after his years of service, though around 5pm (his dinner time) he nearly lost composure, but gained it and stared deeply into her eyes. Another puppet costume, with a giant paper mache head that took two months to make, was awarded the "special prize". Participants were required to write a statement about why they were competing and audience members could place a vote on their answers in the form of red stickers. "Full time sofa coder. I do this shit for a living," one wrote. "ADHD sisters about to enter their mind palace," said another. "90 minutes of quiet dress ups and keeping kids entertained," said a clever parent. "I want to learn to space out to teach my children that it's already wonderful and valuable to just BE!" reads a much-stickered statement. Woopsyang cultivated an air of mystique, wearing sunglasses, a white, Korean hanbok-inspired dress and black hat, and silently walking onstage to unveil huge scrolls with messages for participants just before the competition starts. "Sometimes doing nothing can be the most powerful and valuable act," the first scroll reads. After she revealed all the scrolls and called sequined performer Gabi Barton onstage to lead some stretching, the still-silent Woopsyang rang a tiny bell into a microphone to commence the competition. Informed by hardcore work culture in some Asian countries, Woopsyang has toured the Space Out competition to other cities including Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai — this is its first time in Australia. "Normally Asians think that Western people are very chilled and relaxed, have their nice lifestyle, but then when I came to Melbourne a few days ago and saw people coming and going and rushing, I figured out even in Melbourne, life is so busy and everyone is very overwhelmed," she told SBS News through an interpreter. Recent research indicates two in five Australian workers began 2025 already feeling burnt out, and 90 per cent of Australian employees feel that burnout is ignored until it becomes critical. Burnout is an "occupational phenomenon", not a medical condition, according to the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2019 definition. The WHO says it typically presents as exhaustion, negative feelings towards one's job, and reduced professional productivity. Woopsyang wanted the event to represent all different ages and professions, as though she was creating a miniature city where everyone was spacing out together. "Ten years ago when I was working as an artist, I felt so burnt out, and so overwhelmed. "I was interrogating myself: 'Why do I feel so much anxiety? Why can't I stop, why can't I pause?' "But then I thought everyone who surrounded me was still busy and doing other stuff and so I thought what if we all need to stop and then we can all take a break and recover," she said. Woopsyang said the Melbourne event is now her favourite and almost brought her to tears because of how well everyone performed, though the first iteration will always have a special place in her heart. But 10 years later, she says she's busier and has much less time to space out than ever before. Her own advice might be helpful for that — to find moments of appreciation, calm and stillness throughout the day, wherever you can. 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Daily Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
Inspired Unemployed: Jack Steele, Matt Falcon respond to scandal
Don't miss out on the headlines from Celebrity Life. Followed categories will be added to My News. EXCLUSIVE: Even though they've spent the past two years writing the modern-day how-to manual on playing practical jokes in TV show The Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers, Jack Steele and Matt 'The Falcon' Ford say they are only just getting better at reading the room. 'Cancel culture now is ridiculous,' Steele says. 'It's pretty hard to do anything, because everyone has a voice and an opinion, and comedy is so subjective. 'People think their way is right, but that's just because they're offended.' Since appearing online in 2019, the pair known as The Inspired Unemployed have amassed more than 5 million followers on social media for their loveable larrikin videos and posts. In 2023, they added housemates Dom Littrich and Liam Moore to their troupe to front the Australian version of (Impractical) Jokers, a series in which the foursome's escalating prank battles result in hilarious, cringe-inducing encounters with the unsuspecting public. Matt Ford and Jack Steele of The Inspired Unemployed. Picture: Getty Images Although the show's blend of Punk'd and Candid Camera can be challenging, the team say they are serious about making sure their silliness lands right. 'You try to calculate [the risks] before you go in, even when you're in the ideas room,' Steele says. 'You're always trying to deep-dive it and think, 'OK, how will people react? Are we pushing it too far? Is the joke on us enough?' And if not, then we pull back.' Wearing uniforms to act as anything from sales assistants to yoga instructors, and shooting in the outer Sydney suburbs instead of in the CBD, staves off being recognised as famous comedians. 'Young ones tend to be more onto it,' Ford says of their attempts to fool people by blending in. 'Older ones are a bit easier to get.' And easier to anger. In April 2024, well-known media personalities Antoinette Lattouf, Clementine Ford and Yumi Stynes hosted a free Sydney event called Love Unboxed, billed as a conversation on relationships. Liam Moore, Matt Falcon, Jack Steele (front) and Dom Littrich. Picture: The Binge Guide Matt Falcon is dating influencer, Sarah Ellen. Picture: Instagram In truth, it was a set-up for a season two gag, with the three women in on the ruse. Introduced as a special guest to offer a male counterpoint, Steele spouted whatever his three mates fed him via an earpiece, including comments such as 'I think chicks dig consent'. Although Steele was the butt of the joke, the stunt received intense backlash and was cut from the show. 'It was a punishment of mine, so I had no idea what I was going into,' Steele says. 'I just played it as it comes, and obviously it didn't play great.' Ultimately, Steele and Ford say their schtick has never been about denigrating women or humiliating people. 'We have an exactly 50/50 female and male following, which translates into the show,' Steele notes. 'I guess that's who we are. We all grew up with sisters, and we're not too male-dominated in our life.' Matt and Jack, far right, with F1 driver George Russell (centre) at a Tommy Hilfiger event in 2024. Picture: News Corp Australia By chance, their show's new season launches in line with Men's Health Week (June 9-15), which focuses on helping men and boys lead healthier, happier lives. The timing resonates with Steele. 'We always talk about our emotions and if we feel insecure or vulnerable, happy or down or whatever,' he reflects. 'We get a lot of messages, particularly from women, saying, 'You've helped my husband or boyfriend talk for the first time [about their feelings]', which is really nice to hear.' To that end, the pair won't let one headline-grabbing misstep dent their confidence. 'Every day, we're surprised people go along with some of the things we're doing,' Ford says, smiling. 'We're not qualified in anything [we pretend to do]. But if you just own it, people believe it.' Season 3 of The Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers premieres at 9.40pm on Monday on Network 10 and 10Play, with all episodes available to stream on Paramount+. Read the full cover story with The Inspired Unemployed in today's The Binge Guide, via The Sunday Telegraph (NSW), Sunday Herald Sun (VIC), The Sunday Mail (QLD) and Sunday Mail (SA). For more from Stellar and the podcast Something To Talk About, click here.

News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Glad they got sacked': The Project star unleashes on viewers for ‘dancing on the show's grave'
Steve Price has lashed out at viewers who are 'dancing on the grave' of The Project following its cancellation. Channel 10 officially announced on Monday morning that the show is coming to an end after 16 years on the air. Hosts including Sarah Harris and Waleed Aly later addressed the elephant in the room during an awkward segment on Monday night's episode of the panel show. Regular guest panellist Steve Price, who has been part of the show for more than a decade, has now used his latest column to slam those who are revelling in the show's demise. 'Those ignorant people doing the 'glad they got sacked' dance over the cancellation called the show woke and leftie – hello, I am the exact opposite of that description – and have been there from almost the start,' insisted Price in his Herald Sun column. 'Show me that sort of political balance on any ABC TV show – you can't,' he continued. 'The Project was the best resourced media show I have ever worked on.' Price went on to share his heartbreak at Channel 10's decision to base The Project's replacement show in Sydney, rather than in Melbourne. 'Behind the scenes was a gifted, hardworking crew of young producers, comedy writers, editors, journalists, camera operators, make-up artists and wardrobe assistants,' he said. 'Most if not all these talented crew are now out of work as the replacement show moves to Sydney. 'Economic times are tough, I know that, and free to air TV is in a battle with global streaming services to survive.' He added: 'Melbourne and Australia has lost something unique this week – a live TV show with passion, courage, humour and a heart. It's sad.' A visibly emotional Sarah Harris told her co-stars on Monday night that she feels nothing but 'grateful' for being part of such an Australian TV institution. 'I am so grateful that I got to sit on this desk and play TV with all of you. It has been such a fun thing to do, but it is the people who make a show and The Project isn't just the people on this desk, it is the cast and crew behind the scenes,' she said. She continued: 'They're the real stars. I'm talking, producers, editors and cameramen and women and the floor crew, the people in the control room, the director and the hair and make-up team, all of them who work their guts out every night, six nights a week to get us on air.'