I have a unique relationship with food. Before I started my food blog, I wasn’t really interested in food. You could say that I belonged in the “eat-to-live” camp. But in the past four years, I’ve gained and experienced so much because of my love for food. Sometimes, it makes me wonder if I could ever be a chef one day. You know, a blogger-turned-chef sounds pretty cool!

That said, I know I could never be a chef. I don’t mind cooking occasionally, but I doubt I can ever spend the rest of my life in the kitchen. That explains why I always have high regard and respect for chefs who are so passionate about food, who always put in so much effort into whipping up a meal for us.

Let’s just face it: I’m more talented at eating than cooking. And if you are like me, then the AFC original production: E&O Search for AFC’s Next Celebrity Chef is for you!

For the first time in Asia, the Asian Food Channel and Eastern & Oriental Berhad are conducting a region-wide search to crown Asia’s very own home-grown talent through their first-ever reality series – E&O Search for AFC’s Next Celebrity Chef.

It is heartening to know that Asian Food Channel is taking on the responsibility of grooming talented potentials from around Asia. It sends out a message that no matter where you are from, you have a shot at being a celebrity chef for AFC so long you have the talent. I have often believed that Asia is full of untapped culinary talent and it will be really exciting to see all the talents that will be discovered through the programme.

Photo credit: Asian Food Channel

Most chefs slogged away in the kitchen for years without being recognised. That’s why E&O Search for AFC’s Next Celebrity Chef is the perfect springboard for aspiring, talented individuals to become a celebrity chef, and it’s the first pan regional reality cooking show to be filmed in Asia.

I can’t even imagine what kind of opportunities would be presented to you if you held the prestigious title of AFC Celebrity Chef.

Photo credit: E&O Hotel

Although there are many cooking reality television shows, E&O Search for AFC’s Next Celebrity Chef is quite unlike any other show!

Instead of being filmed in a studio, this show was filmed at the E&O’s luxurious properties! How often do you see such a gorgeous venue as a backdrop? The contestants also stayed at the beautiful E&O Hotel in Penang. How awesome is that?!

A Reality TV series filmed in a hotel. Wow. This is as real as it gets. And not to forget, all the fame and glory that is at stake to be the first AFC’s Celebrity Chef? That makes it even more dramatic.

Photo credit: Asian Food channel

Auditions were held in Singapore, Jakarta, Manila, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, and judging from the footage, the response was incredible. Thousands of contestants came together from all over Asia showcase their talent and the love for food.

With the existence of so many food bloggers who can actually hold their own in the kitchen, I can’t help but wonder how well they would do if they had taken part in the E&O Search for AFC’s Next Celebrity Chef.

But cooking competition is not just about talent. It is also about having the ability to cope with stress and deliver under pressure, especially so when the judging panel includes celebrity chefs and famous personalities like Bruce Lim, Anna Olson and Michael Saxon. Contestants have to prove they have what it takes to be a celebrity chef. I can’t wait to find out who will win the title!

There are also two upcoming online contests that you should know about:

#1 watch ‘E&O search for AFC’s next Celebrity Chef’ – answer a short question & stand a chance to win an iPod Shuffle weekly.

#2 guess who will emerge as AFC’s next Celebrity Chef and stand a chance to win an iPad2. More details coming soon on Asian Food Channel’s website.

For more updates on E&O Search for AFC’s Next Celebrity Chef, you can visit Asian Food Channel’s website, facebook, and twitter. Catch the dazzling world premiere on 9th Nov 2011 Wednesday 10pm!