- Battersea Power Station visitors will embark on a journey through South East Asia at ‘celebrASIA’, a vibrant new festival for London, which will take place at the riverside neighbourhood between 13th – 15th September 2024
- Mandy Yin, Malaysian chef, food writer and founder of award-winning Sambal Shiok Laksa Bar in London, has joined celebrASIA as an ambassador with a shared passion to introduce as many people as possible to the region’s cuisine and culture
- celebrASIA has been created by Battersea Power Station in collaboration with the ten missions of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in London to showcase the rich cultural heritage and offer visitors an authentic and immersive experience of the region
- From enjoying traditional delicacies from a wide range of renowned chefs, eateries, street food vendors and bars, to playing traditional childhood games, enjoying live performances and learning a new skill at the arts and crafts workshops, celebrASIA will offer something for everyone
Battersea Power Station is delighted to announce Mandy Yin, renowned Malaysian chef, food writer and founder of award-winning Sambal Shiok Laksa Bar in London, as ambassador for the riverside neighbourhood’s upcoming ‘celebrASIA’ festival, an exciting new event for
London, which will take place across the riverside neighbourhood between 13th – 15th September 2024.
Battersea Power Station is working closely with the High Commissioners and Ambassadors from the missions of the Association of South-East 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 festival will be held 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.
Many 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 Yin, celebrASIA ambassador 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 South East 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 being an ambassador for the festival, Mandy Yin has teamed up with Chick’N’Sours to create a chicken satay burger, which is exclusive to celebrASIA, marrying 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, are 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. Plus, 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 South East 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, try Sarimanok paper layering, Ketupat weaving and kite decorating too. A full list of masterclasses and workshops available can be found here www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk/events/celebrasia-
workshops/
Families and little ones can also learn about the South East 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 evening, there will be live DJ sets from Half East Records headed up by Deejay Nye, and beat boxer, 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 from the Battersea Power Station Community Choir.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Square will host the Mini ASEAN Games, where visitors can participate in traditional childhood games from the 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, Lao and the other South East Asian countries.
