But it was not the resort's chefs cooking up a hearty meal but 16 Japanese seniors and a few younger ones trying their hand at cooking the Malaysian staple.

Resort chefs were on hand to guide and oversee the wannabe chefs. It was obviously a great success as participants polished up the food with great relish.

"It's the first time anyone has organised a cooking class on a beach. The resort came up with the idea for this weekly event," said executive assistant manager G. Nithi. "We wanted to teach the Japanese home guests and residents under the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme how to cook the dish and have fun while at it," he added.

Organised in collaboration with the Penang Coconut Club, which is for Japanese residents and expatriates, participants had to pay RM28 each with utensils and ingredients supplied by the resort.

"It's an on-going programme with a new recipe introduced every week to participating home guests and members of the public wanting to test their culinary skills," said public relations manager Virginia Ann.

Club manager Yukiko Hashizume said the club organises monthly cooking classes for members, long- and short-stay Japanese home guests of the resort, and those from the MM2H programme.

Seminars and tours are included as part of its annual activities.

The resort has been popular with Japanese holiday-makers because of its Japanese-speaking staff.

Japanese guests cooking up a storm on the beach fronting the resort.

A participant carefully cooking her beef ‘rendang’.

Source: http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/pgcoco2/Article/

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