We started working on a new series of workshops @ Uptown Sweets a little while back. It started as a teaser comment, then things got more serious and we have the details fixed over a “working” lunch on Tues, more practice and photography session yesterday, and we plan to meet again to confirm another taste to tantalise our would-be participants during our workshops.
Oh yes, we decided it is going to be a rolling BOM BOM time for everyone!
Bom = Good (Portuguese translated to English)
BomBom = Sweets or Bonbon (Portuguese translated to English)
Our workshops have to be Bom Bom, meaning Sweets of Double Goodness!
“We” refers to Rafaella and I
Rafaella (or Rafa as I call her) and I met at Culinary Institute LeNotre, where both of us initiated our formal training in Baking and Pastry Arts and graduated with Gold Awards in 2008. Interestingly we were not from the same batch, but we spent a great deal of time together with another good friend Jennie Leverett. We popped into each other’s classes a lot and we shared the same Pastry chef instructors. At the culinary institute, she was my senior a batch ahead of me and 12 years younger. Outside the culinary institute, she was like a baby sister to us, as she loves her sweets and always carries with her packet(s) of sweets. Even over a late dinner last night, she pulled out 2 bags of sweets from her bag to show us!
How glad I was when she first mentioned she might be in Singapore, and when she finally arrived with her husband André in August.
I enjoyed working with Rafa, we share a similar working discipline. I guess we were both drilled in work flow organisation and high standard of hygiene by the same chef instructor ~ lol! I was inspired by our discussion, our rich & diverse cultural background and exposure and openness drive our creation.
BOM BOM as a celebration sweets!
Rafaella is a Brazilian with Portuguese descent. Her childhood memories and culture were never short of sweets, it also translates into family bonding moments where aunts and cousins gather in a household to make family treats for celebration.
While brainstorming about the Bom Bom workshops, we envision that BOM BOM will be shared among family and friends in the following ways:
- Family treats for the children (or even adults alike)
- Party treats in the form of after-dinner bites
- Wedding and celebration favors
- Gifts in truffle box (for Christmas? :p)
Some people asked what exactly is Bom Bom?
Our BOM BOM originates as Brazilian celebration sweets, like a cross between a chocolate truffles and a fudge. Using the base cooking technique, we experimented with tastes and flavors to customise to local taste preference.
Using only basic ingredients available at the stores and suitable for home kitchen, it is easy to create and store. More importantly, it is versatile and very yummy! For individuals who experienced the frustration of tempering chocolate, making chocolate bonbon and storing them without them weeping in highly humid Singapore, BOM BOM is definitely a welcome find and fun to make!
Making BOM BOM is a creative process! Once you learn the basic technique, you can experiment with familiar flavors and tastes that you enjoy and experiment with new tastes to impress your guests and loved ones
While making these BOM BOM (and popping them into our mouth at the same time, yes it is important to taste! lol), we were so excited that with a different filling and coating, the mouthfeel and taste experience could be totally different. How cool is that!
- BomBom as a Christmas party treats and gifts!
- How about a Milo Dinosaur Bom Bom?
The picture above showed a Milo Dinosaur Bom Bom. In Singapore, Milo Dinosaur drink is an ice milo drink with heaps of milo powder. We decided to play along this taste and the result was really tasty! Gostoso!
As we prepare for the upcoming workshops on 3 & 4 Dec 2010, we are really excited to get the “balls” rolling. ’Cos it means many more people gets to taste, appreciate, make, create and give away these Bom Bom treats for the Christmas season and New Year, and even Chinese New Year. We hope to spread the joy of giving.
Come, join us for a Bom Bom afternoon!
About BOM BOM Workshop – 3 & 4 Dec 2010
The workshop covers
- Cross Cultural Appreciation
- Understanding of Tastes and Flavors
- Cooking Demo on cooking the mixture and working with the right consistency
- Molding the Bom Bom
- Presenting Bom Bom for party treats, favors and festive gifts.
Join us for a rolling BOM BOM time! more details…
Hi,
I interested in the baking courses. However I cant find the schedule and the course fee. Are you able to send me the course schedule? Thanks
Regards
Anna
Hello Anna, you can check out http://www.UptownSweets.Sg. And, if you have a FB account, join us on our page which is updated regularly http://www.Facebook.com/Joys.UptownSweets, and you can check out the pics and updates. We are loading new schedule as we just sold out 7/8 Fluffy Bread workshops, >30 participants for Bom Bom workshops over last weekend, … Oh there is a macaron workshop on 30 Dec, but there were 2 enquiries this morning to fill out the 2 remaining seats, we may be rescheduling the workshop on 31 Dec. Check out the site first, and contact me anytime ok! Joys