Philips Fatcheck and Grand Cook-Off

All of us even my Little Angels love to eat fried foods as it is delicious but do you know that fried foods will damage your body and brain in many different ways. Not just a long term consequence, but a short term detriment as well. Just like a car needs good clean oil to run efficiently and will not break down. Our body also needs food that can be digested properly and not clog the one and only "machine we have for our entirely life. The closer your fat is to your heart, the more our heart is strained. 

Using Philips Airfryer’s rapid air technology means we can now enjoy the taste of our favourite deep-fried dishes without using extra oil in the preparation. This was the focus of the “FATCHECK for a Healthy Heart” cooking competition jointly organised by the National Heart Institute (IJN) and Philips Malaysia, at AEON Big Mid Valley last Saturday.

Twelve teams, comprising IJN staff, as well as their family members and friends, had participated in the preliminary round of the cooking competition at AEON BiG Subang Jaya on May 16. The teams were tasked with whipping up a low fat nutritious dish in 30 minutes, using a mystery ingredient, and prepared using the Philips Airfryer.

Six winning teams were then selected to compete at the grand cook-off today, and this time the teams had the greater challenge of cooking a complete meal based on recipes they were required to submit beforehand.

Delicious food prepared by the Participants

Participants showing off their meal creatively decorated

The cook-off was judged by Mary Easaw, IJN Chief Dietitian; Foong Pui Hing, IJN Principal Dietitian; Chef Marina Mustafa cookbook author and food stylist and Muhammad Ali Jaleel, Muhammad Ali Jaleel, Country Manager for Philips Group of Companies in Malaysia and General Manager, Consumer Lifestyle for Philips Malaysia. The teams were judged based on the nutritional value, taste, hygiene, creativity and presentation of the competing recipes.

Mr Ali Jaleel (Philips Malaysia Country Manager), Puan Mary Easaw (IJN Chief Dietitian), Ms Foong Pui Hing (IJN Principal Dietitian) & Chef Marina Mustafa (Cookbook author & food stylist)

According to Easaw, the competition was intended to show the public they can enjoy low fat heart healthy diet without skimping on taste. She said, “We Malaysians tend to use a lot of cooking oil in our daily cooking as we have a tendency to prefer fried food. The high dietary fat intake raises triglycerides and total cholesterol namely LDL, which result in clogged arteries and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Now, they can enjoy their favourite fried foods using this low-fat cooking method.”

Participants all set with their shopping carts to shop for ingredients

“As the leading heart institute in the region, IJN continues to promote heart health awareness among Malaysians. This is in line with Phillips mission to promote healthier and sustainable lifestyle and we are happy to work with them towards a mutual cause,” she said. 

Participant grabbing ingredients at supermarket!

Mr Jaleel said it was an honour to work with IJN for the FATCHECK for a Healthy Heart community education programme. “At Philips, we strive to improve lives through innovation that we incorporate into our appliances. While we are sharing information on how technology makes it easier to stay healthy, IJN’s medical and dietetic expertise on heart health is adding great value to the programme, allowing the public to have deeper understanding on eating healthier,” he said.

Cook-off begins! 

Ali added that the Philips Airfryer is indeed ideal for people who want to enjoy their food while maintaining a healthy heart. “With the unique Rapid Air technology, the Philips Airfryer allows for the excess oil and fat from food to be drained during cooking, and used to cook the same food, which then enables cooking without adding lots of extra oil. Thus, consumers can lose the oil, but not the taste,” he said.

Participants using the Philips Air Fryer in cooking without adding lots of oil! 

For most of the IJN staff who took part in this competition, this was their first time using the Philips Airfryer. Recipes produced showcased the versatility of the appliance in grilling, baking and even roasting food healthier, faster and more conveniently.

Participant described the dish she has prepared

The judges (from left to right) Puan Mary, Chef Marina & Ms Foong giving their remarks during judging 

Grand prize winners received a Philips Viva Collection Digital AirFryer (worth RM1,699) and Philips Electric Pressure Cooker (worth RM649) each; the first runners-up team brought home a Philips Viva Collection Digital AirFryer (worth RM1,499) and Philips  Electric Pressure Cooker (worth RM529) each; the second runners-up team received a Philips Viva Collection AirFryer (worth RM1,499); while the remaining finalists received a Philips Soymilk Maker (worth RM529) each.

Congrats to all the winners for the challenge

All in all, it was an exciting competition and contestants will be contributing their recipes to an upcoming low-fat, heart healthy cookbook. Proceeds from the sale of the cookbook will be donated to the IJN Foundation.

Group photo of the participants and judges

For more information, please visit FATCHECK and like them at https://www.facebook.com/MyFatCheck for further updates of any events and promotions and tips on how to stay healthy.

Tofu Filled Fritters using Philips Air Fryer

As a Mom to my 5 Little Angels, I always like explore myself the best way to keep my Little Angels stay healthy by eating healthily. After checking the benefit of using Philips Air Fryer and the delicious food that it had cooked on that day, I'll definitely get myself one soon to ensure all of us eating healthily with no grease and mess. Yeah...