Peranakan Heritage Cooking

Philip Chia is a fourth generation Chinese Peranakan. He began his love affair with cooking from the age of six when he was taught to pound spices for sambal belacan using the batu lesong (mortar and pestle). As a teenager, he was invited to participate in a cooking competition where he emerged among the top eight in the finals judged by the late Mrs Lee Chin Koon, herself a doyenne of Peranakan cuisine. This event spurred him

on to hone his cooking skills further. Throughout his growing years, Philip picked up tips and secrets of authentic Peranakan cooking from the older generation of Peranakans. Being an active member of The Peranakan Association also allowed him to develop a greater appreciation for the Peranakan culture. Today, Philip is highly sought-after as a Peranakan chef and cooking instructor. He is often invited as a guest chef to do Pernakan food promotions both locally and abroad. He has also appeared on several television programmes to promote Peranakan cooking.