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[title]Gone are the days of simply seasoning our food with salt and pepper, and dare we say, tomato sauce – if we’re really desperate. Today, we Aussies are much more flavour conscious, borrowing inspo from our not-too-distant neighbours in Asia. The rich umami flavours from Asian cuisine bring a new dimension to cooking, creating a complex and delicious taste sensation for our palate.
Heralding from Hong Kong, Lee Kum Kee is one of those mainstay condiment brands where the flavour really packs a punch. You’ve probably seen the products in your local supermarket and maybe even used some of them yourself, like the Panda Brand Oyster Sauce, Premium Soy Sauce and Char Siu Sauce. Adding these sauces to your dishes is a great way to bring the culture and spirit of Hong Kong into your home cooking.
Lee Kum Kee is also a favourite of pro cooks, including season 15 MasterChef Australia contestant Declan Cleary, who “always admired the brand”. So when the team approached him for a collaboration, he was eager to bring their flavours into more Aussie kitchens.
“When the opportunity came up to collaborate, it felt like a natural fit because their products align with my love for creating simple yet flavourful meals at home,” says Cleary.
“The brand’s history and their passion for promoting culinary creativity really resonated with me.”
While Cleary uses many of Lee Kum Kee’s products at home, his favourite is the oyster sauce.
“It adds such a deep, rich umami flavour to stir frys, marinades and even as a finishing sauce. It’s incredibly versatile and elevates any dish I prepare,” he says.
Home cooking with Asian flavours is one thing, but being able to travel to Hong Kong and try authentic dishes is another. And that dream might just become a reality for one lucky Lee Kum Kee shopper. Buy any product, keep the receipt, and you could go into the draw to win two return tickets to Hong Kong.
After all, there’s no denying the importance of travel and cultural immersion, which is why winning this competition would be a great opportunity for a foodie who may not have the luxury of travel.
“Travelling allows you to immerse yourself in different traditions and flavours that broaden your perspective on food and culture,” explains Cleary.
“For us Aussies, experiencing something like Hong Kong’s vibrant food scene can inspire a deeper appreciation for culinary diversity and teach us new ways of incorporating global flavours into our everyday cooking.”
Of course, even without a trip to Hong Kong, there’s a vibrant food and drink culture to explore right here in Australia. We asked Cleary, who is Sydney-based, what his perfect day out in the Harbour City looks like.
“My perfect day would start with a leisurely breakfast at a local café, maybe some scrambled eggs on Vegemite toast and a latté,” he explains. “Then I’d head to one of the farmer’s markets for some fresh produce and lunch at one of Sydney’s amazing seafood spots, like Fish Butchery or the Sydney Fish Markets.
“In the afternoon, I love a picnic so my dog can join, or a bar overlooking beautiful Sydney Harbour. Dinner would be at a spot like Mr. Wong for some modern Cantonese cuisine, paired with a nice bottle of wine. It’s all about embracing the diverse food scene Sydney has to offer!”
The Hong Kong Tourism Board has teamed up with Lee Kum Kee to launch a 'Win a Flight to Hong Kong' competition, starting on October 14. To participate, simply keep your receipt and follow the instructions provided at the link here.
You can also find out more about Lee Kum Kee’s products via the website.