Battersea Power Station has announced that Mandy Yin, a renowned Malaysian chef, food writer and founder of award-winning Sambal Shiok Laksa Bar in London, has been appointed as the ambassador for the riverside neighbourhood’s upcoming ‘celebrASIA’ festival, which takes place between the 13th – and 15th September 2024.
Creating a new festival in the British capital is far from an easy task. To ensure the initial vision became a reality, Battersea Power Station has been working closely with the High Commissioners and Ambassadors from the missions of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in London, a union of 10 countries that promote economic and cultural exchange among its members and with countries around the globe, to showcase the very best of the region.
The ‘celebrASIA’ festival will be taking place both inside and outside the iconic Grade II* listed Power Station, which has strong links to the South East Asian region through the development’s Malaysian owners.
Mandy Yin is extremely proud of her Malaysian heritage and passionate about introducing as many people as possible to the country’s cuisine and culture.
Mandy said, “I’m thrilled to be an ambassador of celebrASIA and to be part of introducing this exciting new festival to London. I have always been passionate about sharing my love of Malaysian cuisine and culture with as many people as possible.
“Since I moved to London, there hasn’t been an event like celebrASIA before; it truly is one-of-a-kind, especially as it’s taking place at the iconic Battersea Power Station!
“As a chef and food writer, I’m most excited about trying all the food and drink that will be available during the festival; visitors are going to be spoilt for choice! It’s also going to be a great opportunity for the Southeast Asian diaspora to come together and share what we love most about our region with people who may have never visited before.”
In addition to undertaking the ambassadorial role, Mandy has teamed up with Chick’N’Sours to create a chicken satay burger, which is exclusive to celebrASIA. The burger marries her popular tomato sambal and peanut sauce, which launched her career ten years ago, with Chick’N’Sours’ crispy fried chicken.
South East Asian cuisines are some of the world’s best, and foodies attending the festival will be in for a treat as renowned chefs, eateries, and traditional street food vendors from the region serve up everything from mouth-watering curries and noodle bowls to delicious satays and wraps all with the iconic Battersea Power Station as a backdrop.
Other celebrASIA exclusives include Chick’N’Sours’ collaboration with Rangoon Sisters, while London’s only Cambodian culinary offering, Mamapen, is joining forces with The Duck Shed to serve an exciting new menu for the event alongside classic dishes from the restaurant.
Some of London’s finest South East Asian chefs and eateries also joining the lineup include Malaysia’s Roti King, who have a permanent restaurant at Battersea Power Station on Arches Lane in Circus West Village, Singapore’s Old Chang Kee, and Budgie Montoya’s APOY, to name a few. In addition, the pioneering Filipino hotspot Kasa and Kin will be on hand with delicious ice cream and desserts, alongside drinks courtesy of Singaporean tea and coffee specialists Kopi House.
Traditional street food vendors taking part include Eat Lah and Pandan Bakery from Malaysia, Yaay Yaay from Thailand, Makatcha from Indonesia, and Hanoi Kitchen from Vietnam. There will also be colourful trucks selling thirst-quenching South East Asian-inspired alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Inside the Power Station, Turbine Hall B will transform into a bustling Artisan Market, where shoppers can browse and shop must-haves, from sauces, spices, and snacks to jewellery, homewares, and accessories from across Southeast Asia, including clothing from Singaporean fashion designer Baju by Oniatta.
In Turbine Hall A, those keen to put their creative skills to the test will find Arts and Crafts Masterclasses and Workshops, with bookable sessions running across Saturday and Sunday for all ages.
Visitors can learn how to craft a personalised pewter dish at Malaysian pewter specialists Royal Selangor‘s School of Hard Knocks, whose master craftsmen are travelling to London, especially for the festival. Royal Selangor also has a permanent store inside the London landmark.
Visitors can make a lantern for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, create a beautiful piece for their home using the Malaysian art of Batik, and try Sarimanok paper layering, Ketupat weaving, and kite decorating. A full list of masterclasses and workshops can be found here: www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk/events/celebrasia-workshops/.
Families and little ones can also learn about the Southeast Asian countries through the interactive ‘Grand Tour’, which will give mini explorers the opportunity to seek out information boards dotted around the Power Station and test themselves with a fun quiz, ending their journey at an ‘Arrivals Desk’ where they will get their souvenir passport stamped.
On the outdoor stage in Power Station Park, visitors can expect unforgettable musical performances from headline acts Thai Music Circle, the Indonesian Embassy’s Angklung Orchestra and Siswa Sukra Gamelan.
On Friday and Saturday evenings, there will be live DJ sets from Half East Records, headed up by Deejay Nye and beatboxer MC Zani, both from the Philippines. There will also be live traditional dances and other pop-up performances across the neighbourhood throughout the weekend, including a performance by the Battersea Power Station Community Choir.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Square will host the Mini ASEAN Games, where visitors can participate in traditional childhood games from different countries, including Malaysian ‘Tuju Selipar’ (shoe throwing), Filipino’ Tumbang preso’ (tin can throwing), Vietnamese’ Meo Duoi Chuot’ (cat and mouse), and many more games played by children in Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, and the other South East Asian countries.
CelebrASIA key information:
- Street food – Friday 13th (11 am – 9 pm), Saturday 14th September (11 am – 9 pm) and Sunday 15th September (11 am – 6 pm)
- Indoor market – Friday 13th and Saturday 14th (10 am – 8 pm) and Sunday 15th September (11 am – 6 pm)
- Children’s activities and games – Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September (10 am – 5 pm)
- Stage performances – Friday 13th (DJs 5 pm – 9 pm), Saturday 14th (11 am – 9 pm) and Sunday 15th September (11 am – 6 pm)
Tan Sri Jagan Sabapathy, Chairman of Battersea Project Holding Company, said, “London is one of the most multicultural cities in the world; its diversity is what makes it truly unique and special. celebrASIA is an opportunity for the local and wider London community to come together to celebrate and learn more about the rich tapestry of colours, flavours, sounds and traditions that make up the culture and heritage of countries from South East Asia.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with the High Commissioners and Ambassadors from the ten South East Asian countries’ embassies to create celebrASIA, which will surely be an exciting new cultural event for London at Battersea Power Station.”
Travelling to Battersea Power Station for celebrASIA couldn’t be easier, with the Zone 1 Battersea Power Station Underground station bringing the riverside neighbourhood within 15 minutes of the West End and the City.
Battersea Power Station also has its very own Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pier. It is a 15-minute journey from Embankment, 20 minutes from Blackfriars, 30 minutes from Putney, and 40 minutes from Canary Wharf. The riverside neighbourhood is easily accessible by bus, bike, car, and train, too.
To discover more about celebrASIA at Battersea Power Station, please visit www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk/events/celebrasia/.
Photographs of Chef Mandy Yin at Battersea Power Station by Charlie Round-Turner.
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