“SHEET” – The Empire Hotel and Country Club’s First Edition Recipe Booklet

Foreword by Executive Chef Torsten Schubert: It’s a pleasure to welcome you to the first edition of the Empire Hotel’s recipe booklet. The word “SHEET” defines to cover or layer an object with a sheet. In the following recipes, you will discover the various methods in covering or layering food. Throughout the hotel, 12 Chefs from various outlets and nationalities have created their very own signature dishes with the use of “SHEET”. Photographing these dishes for the Empire Hotel has connected me to the interesting personalities of the 12 Chefs whose outstanding efforts made this recipe booklet possible.

“SHEET” is the Empire Hotel’s first recipe booklet as much as it’s also my first published recipe booklet and is available in a limited run of only 250 copies. The copy I have is serial numbered “88″ and you can grab a copy at Spaghettini Restaurant for only B$15.

The word “SHEET” defines to cover or layer an object with a sheet. In the following recipes, you will discover the various methods in covering or layering food.

Throughout the hotel, 12 Chefs from various outlets and nationalities have created their very own
signature dishes with the use of “SHEET”

Executive Chef Torsten styles the Bakes Blue Swimmer Crab Parcel for the shoot.

French Chef Benjamin lending a hand to Indian Chef Raj’s creation Tandoori Chicken Lasagna.

Indonesian Chef Deddy’s Beef Rendang Ravioli

Malaysian Chef Azizi’s Poached Salmon in Roti Jala Cannelloni

Singaporean Chef Henry’s Oriental Marinated Chicken Tortilla

Bruneian Chef Fairuz’s Blackcurrant Leather

In the booklet, you’ll find 12 recipes namely: Thai Spring Roll & Chili Dip, Baked Blue Swimmer Crab Parcel, Seafood Crepes & Balinese Sauce, Poached Salmon in Roti Jala Cannelloni, Slipper Lobster Wrap, Lamb Satay Roulade, Pan Seared Cod Fillets in Hot Black Bean Sauce, Beef Rendang Ravioli, Oriental Marinated Chicken Tortilla, Tandoori Chicken Lasagna, Blackcurrant Leather and Nougatine “Mille Feuille” Chocolate-Nougat Sauce.

New York City Band Andy Suzuki and the Method Tours Brunei Darussalam

I had an appointment to photograph the Executive Sous Chef Henry Tan this morning followed by a meeting at Zest at the Empire Hotel & Country Club. On the way out, walking past the lobby, I was introduced to the three members that form the New York City band Andy Suzuki and The Method who were busy setting up for a 2pm gig at the lobby lounge itself. With my 5D Mark II and EF 24-70mm conveniently tempting, I grabbed some shots before I really had to leave for another appointment. The boys are in Brunei from Sept 18 to 25 so if you want to catch them, check out their Brunei schedule here.

More photographs of the band on Facebook | Andy Suzuki and The Method Official Site

Lead singer Andy Suzuki

Andy Suzuki warming up on Empire’s own 9-foot Fazioli concert grand piano.

Violinist Jason Gorelick (left) with Andy on the guitar.

Behind the Scenes: Photographing a Toyota Camry Ad Campaign

On November 14 2011 I met with the advertising agency team from Singapore to recce suitable location to shoot an ad campaign for NBT Brunei to promote the new Toyota Camry. The recce took us to various places where we could comfortably place 10 service personnel from The Empire Hotel and Country Club during which time we also visited the Emperor’s Suite, a room that instills an eye-opening and mind blowing experience for many stepping inside for the first time. We carried out the shoot the next morning starting with make-up session of all featured service personnel at the Business Centre.

Previous assignment at The Empire’s Ambassador Suite: Reflections of Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Make-up session for all service personnel at the Business Centre.

One of a number of service personnel from Zest Cafe I regularly see from time to time when buying cappuccino take-out.

Executive Sous Chef, Henry Tan, with whom I had worked during the room service food menu shoot.

The roll-out of this campaign was postponed due to shipment delays as a result of the Japan tsunami.

Click on image to view larger version.