Art of Living (AOL) Macau Season 1, held its Final Competition on Culinary Arts for girls aged 9 to 14 years old, in two stages: last July 14 in Wahn Tihng Centre: cooking an Indian dish (Chicken Tandoori), and last July 29, in Hac Sa Conference Centre: dessert making (Mocha Chiffon Cake). Three teams with 3 girls each joined the competition.
On these days, families were present to witness and support their daughters as they participate in the competition. They noticed that the girls learned more than the cooking skills, as they help each other, communicate their plans with one another and steps in cooking/baking, have the sense of service in washing up, cleaning and serving the others first before themselves. This is due to the workshops held within the AOL sessions, with topics on patience, gratitude, service, the value of sacrifice, respect, sincerity, good manners, etc.
To prepare the girls for the competition (as practice makes perfect), the coaches have been helping them master the kitchen and baking skills, practicing with them, which meant sacrifice on both sides of the students and the coaches to meet. Their efforts paid off.
Among the judges were Clarissa Kuok and Cuca Costa, who were impressed with the girls’ products. As Cuca gave her recommendations on improving techniques and skills to the girls, she also encouraged them about the most important ingredient – doing things with LOVE. This way, she says, they will not find the cooking and baking difficult, especially when done for their family and friends.
Feedback from participants
Angeli, an AOL girl, wrote to her coach: “Thank you for teaching me AOL, I really enjoyed it. I feel so special to find an activity where I can make friends, learn new things… Thank you for everyone included in AOL season, especially my Coach. Thank you !”
Monica, mom: “ It was a wonderful experience and it was a very meaningful experience. We all loved to be part of it. Thank you (Coach) for all your patience.”
Xasmine, mom: “I want to thank you and all involved in the AOL program. Congratulations … it was a good experience for the kids. They learned not just cooking and baking but some moral values how to deal with people, like patient – I saw the kids’ wonderful creations, flowers, angel hair designs, etc…) how to listen to coaches, solve difficulties when things go wrong, how to have a healthy competition.. that winning is a bonus, and what really matters is the experience. Making new friends is the best part of it……”
Janet, mom, shared with us that her daughter started preparing meals and more helpful in their house.
AOL MACAU
AOL in Macau started last January 2018, comprising of 1 or 2 meetings each month, with a 3-hour session each meeting. Each session includes hands-on cooking/baking demonstration, workshops, practical talks on good habits, virtues, as well as mentoring and personal development. A Coach is in charge of a team of 3 or 4 girls, and together they learn various recipes, teamwork, cleanliness, order, creativity in presentation while aiming for quality products.
AOL Macau Season 1 was held from January to June 2018, in Wahn Tihng centre for girls, a project of East Asian Educational Association (EAEA), a non-profit association duly registered in Macau since 1990.
AOL Macau Season 2 will begin on September 29, 2018 running through July 13, 2019, with a camp besides competition in July next year.
Explanation of AOL:
Art of Living (AOL) is a service-oriented Culinary Art fundamental program that offers 9 to 15 year old girls the opportunity to develop practical skills in the kitchen and other home skills necessary in creating a happy environment.
The AOL girls experience the beauty and joy of serving one’s own family. Besides culinary skills, the girls also learn why and how all work is service, including their studies. AOL began in the USA and has spread to several countries in Europe, Asia, such as, the Philippines, Hong Kong, etc.
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