asian food: Flavors Abound from Premier Cook-off Among Chefs at Austin’s Own Asia Food Fest and Iron Chef Competition August 14,2006 12:00 AM EST Reservations are being accepted now for tasting the ‘cook-off’ results across Austin at Satay Restaurant, the Texas Culinary Academy, Grapevine Market, and the Central Market Cooking School. (FVNEWSWIRE Aug 11, 2006) Austin, TX (FV Newswire) - For three delicious days in September, from the 20th through the 22nd, the Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce (TACC) and the Texas Culinary Academy (TCA) will be hosting several distinguished Asian chefs from across Texas, as well as culinary experts from Thailand. The chefs will offer cooking classes and food and wine tasting events for industry professionals, as well as individuals from the general public. “Sharing exclusive tastes and the techniques of cooking authentic and fusion Asian dishes is the goal of the Food Fest, extending the best flavors of Asian food to everyone,” said Foo Swasdee, chair of the Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce and owner of Satay Restaurant, on Anderson Lane in Austin, Texas. For example, on the last day of the event, “The Iron Chef Contest” at the Texas Culinary will showcase two divisions for contestants: a category for professional chefs and one for amateur chefs, each with same secret ingredient; the contestants will be judged by Austin’s own local food experts, media representatives, and Central Texas celebrity chefs. Yet, all three days are packed with great opportunities to consume some of the best combinations of Asian food this year in Austin. The Asian Food Fest on Sept. 21-23 will offer diverse cooking demonstration classes for a small fee ranging from $5 to $50 in price and multiple wine and food tasting events will be held at Satay Restaurant, Ventana, a Texas Culinary academy owned restaurant, Grapevine Market, and the Central Market Cooking School, as well as other restaurants to be added soon. Check for updates on the schedule before the events at http://www.txasianchamber.org/ and www.satayusa.com The Asia Food Fest is a spin off event which originated from the hit success in 2005 of the “Thai Cooking Festival,” sponsored in Austin by the Thai Government. However, due to a significant change in the culinary world to embrace more global cuisine, the event this year will include all Asian- influenced cooking. All are welcome to this three-day celebration of Asian food at its best! About the Leaders of the Asian Food Fest and Iron Chef Competition. Foo Swasdee is founder and owner of the Satay Restaurant Group, developer of numerous award-winning Thai products, nationally recognized Thai chef and current chair for the Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce (TACC). The Texas Culinary Academy (TCA) www.texasculinaryacademy.com is partnered with world renowned Le Cordon Bleu in bringing quality Culinary school experience to Austin residents. They offer every aspect from the basics of cooking to helping students acquire the skills needed to create new and original recipes. David Chan serves as the Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce’s (TACC) CEO and co-founder. He also has helped host the last 10 consecutive Lunar New Years Galas. Chan owns LSI America, a company he founded which produces a cancer-fighting vitamin known as Ondrox.