Asian Comforts Cooking Class with Brendan Pang

Otao Kitchen - 393 Victoria Street Abbotsford VIC

Brendan Pang is a cook, author, and content creator with a passion for bringing the vibrant flavours of his Chinese-Mauritian heritage to life. With family roots in Mauritius, Brendan’s connection to his heritage and family has always been central to his life and cooking journey. Growing up, he spent countless hours in the kitchen with his Grandmere, learning to make wontons from scratch - a tradition that continues to inspire his dishes today.

Growing up in Perth, Western Australia, Brendan's love for food was shaped by the cultural diversity of the city and his family's traditions. Before stepping into the culinary spotlight, Brendan worked as a social worker in Broome, where his commitment to helping others influenced his approach to life. In 2018, Brendan's love for food and creativity led him to apply for MasterChef Australia, which catapulted him into a new career.As the founder of Bumplings, Brendan created a community around Asian street food. Over five years, he served up thousands of dumplings and other street eats at events, from his shop in Fremantle, and through his pop-up cooking school. This venture brought his passion for authentic, bold flavours to the forefront, creating an unforgettable experience for food lovers across Perth.Now splitting his time between Australia and Taiwan, Brendan finds inspiration in the rich food culture of Asia, which continuously shapes his culinary creations. Being in Asia fuels his creativity, allowing him to share these exciting flavours and experiences with the world through his cookbooks, cooking classes, and social media. His approachable recipes, often inspired by family and tradition, invite home cooks to explore bold, authentic flavours and embrace the joy of cooking.About His Latest Cookbook"This is a Book About Street Food" takes you on a flavour-packed journey through Asia’s most vibrant and beloved street markets, without leaving your kitchen. Written by renowned cook and MasterChef Australia alum Brendan Pang, this cookbook is a personal celebration of his Mauritian-Chinese heritage and love for authentic Asian street food.With 60 approachable recipes inspired by Brendan’s travels - especially his time exploring the bustling food scene in Taipei - you’ll find everything from comforting dumplings to delicious noodles and fragrant curries. These recipes are designed with home cooks in mind, making it easy for anyone to recreate the bold flavours of street food, no matter their skill level. Whether you’re a meat lover, seafood fan, or vegetarian, there’s something for everyone.Brendan shares his go-to dishes like Silky Egg and Prawn Hor Fun Noodles, Pork Belly Gua Bao, and Singapore Chile Crab, along with plenty of tips and tricks to make cooking them simple. Perfect for weeknight dinners or sharing with friends and family, this book is your guide to bringing the heart and soul of Asian street food to your table.With beautiful photography and Brendan’s personal stories, tips and tricks woven throughout, "This is a Book About Street Food" makes it easy to explore the bold, delicious flavours of Asia from the comfort of your home - no travel required!