For me, the family table is the heart of the house, where all the highs and lows of the day are celebrated or commiserated. It’s a sanctuary which rejuvenates me not only physically but spiritually and emotionally. In this day and age where there are more and more people living alone, the family table is replaced by a table at their favourite restaurant, Sweet Mandarin.

Dining together allows us to better understand who we are, regardless of our social status. The food does not have to be elegant, complicated or fancy. I find that busy people like simple food- the busier they are, the simpler the food. The food at Sweet Mandarin is straightforward home cooking with a few contemporary dishes.

Getting back to the table allows us to love and nurture each other and renew connections to our families – however they are configured in this diverse and ever-changing society. Such connections are crucial in a fast-paced world where we feel more disconnected every day.

One of the best ways I know to restore that daily balance is to sit down at the table. As a child, growing up in Manchester, UK, I learned the importance of the family table or eating together in a restaurant. It was there that I felt love matched only by my family’s appreciation for fresh, wholesome food, a love of good cooking, and a fellowship just not possible if you are eating on the go or if you are whizzing through the drive-in window of a fast food outlet.

These early experiences started me on my life’s journey of cooking for families. It is around the family table that there are times of celebration and times of great sadness, and always we came together to embrace the food and each other. The table is a place of communion for life’s large and small events: holiday meals, weddings, birthdays, and everyday get-togethers. We welcome you to our family table at Sweet Mandarin. Don’t be a stranger, you’re home from home at Sweet Mandarin.

Try our wonderful banquets – to be shared with friends and families. To download the menus go to www.sweetmandarin.com

Do you need to book out Sweet Mandarin for your special event – call Lisa 0161 832 8848 to discuss your event and how we can make it extra extra sweet.

Best wishes and sweet dishes to you and your family.

Lisa

www.sweetmandarin.com

Tel: 0161 832 8848

Twitter: www.twitter.com/sweetmandarin

Facebook: Sweet Mandarin Appreciation Group http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweet-Mandarin/26658875016

Myspace: www.myspace.com/sweetmandarin

#977 Sweet Nothing – Flying Saucers

In the 1980s we were the proud owner of the wide screen tv (black and white), swirly brown carpets with matching hideous wall paper and dungarees. We were also highly protective of our stash of flying saucers in industrial sized containers. That was the beauty of growing up above a chippy. We got the chance to go to Bernard’s cash and carry behind Asdas and there was a sweet display that would make Willy Wonka proud.

Its great to see flying saucers making a comeback as they were my favourite sweet. Two pastel coloured wafers containing fizzy powdered sherbert that zizzled the tongue.

Let me share with you my way of eating these beauties:

1. Nibble the edge and open up the saucers.
2. Eat the first saucer.
3. Then lick the sherbet. Shiver.
4. Finally in huge satisfaction, rest the second saucer on tongue and let it melt.
5. Repeat.

That’s why Flying Saucers are #977 Sweet Nothing . If you are visiting Sweet Mandarin you are always welcome to bring a packet or two of flying saucers!

Today is my darling’s birthday. Happy Birthday :0) He shares his birthday with Henry VIII (you better not get six wives!!!)

At Sweet Mandarin, we love and welcome birthdays. If you are celebrating your birthday at Sweet Mandarin, let us know and we’ll arrange to surprise the birthday girl or boy with a cake on the house. You can even eat the whole thing with your hands if you must.

We can cater for parties of 2 to 80. If you need balloons, table decorations, banners or special requests, let us know and we’ll try our best to make your birthday party a most memorable night. If you are looking for a perfect gift, don’t forget our memoir, Sweet Mandarin. And we’ll sing Happy Birthday to you. That’s why Birthdays are my #978 Sweet Nothing.

About Happy Birthday To You
“Happy Birthday to You”, also known more simply as “Happy Birthday”, is a song that is traditionally sung to celebrate the anniversary of a person’s birth. According to the 1998 Guinness Book of World Records, “Happy Birthday to You” is the most recognized song in the English language, followed by “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” and “Auld Lang Syne”. The song’s base lyrics have been translated into at least 18 languages.

Here’s a picture of Janet’s third birthday.
Front row L to R: Helen, Janet, Lisa
Back row Jimmy and Mum

Twitterers (T) (photo 1) Meet the Flickrs (F) (photo 2) could be come Jazz Hands Extravaganza (photo 3)

I Tweet (a lot), I Flickr (quite a lot), I Eat (all the time). I host Tweet Up meetings for Twitterers and Flickr Up meetings for Flickr, so I’ve decide to link up these two groups. It could be a smash hit with splattering of photographic evidence (check out the third photo with the aptly named Jazz hands effect lol). Or it could be a bit like the first school disco where each group cliches to their own – the Ts verses the Fs. Its worth the experiment. So here is its my friends, I’m hosting the first ever Twitter Meets the Flickr Tweet Up @sweetmandarin.

Date: Sunday 18th July
Time: 5-8pm
Cost: Free
Bring: Blackberry/Phone/Iphone/Camera/Your own sweet self
RSVP: lisa@sweetmandarin.com or DM me on Twitter @sweetmandarin (oh and please follow me)
Food: I’ll sort out the dim sum
Drinks: Pay as you go
Reminder: There is a Threewitter party beforehand from 1-5pm at Madlabs. Have your cake and eat it! Here’s the Threewitter link http://threewitter.eventbrite.com/

#980 Sweet Nothing – Hug

I saw this postcard by the artist Charlie Macakesy (http://www.charliemackesy.com/) and it struck a chord with me for years. This postcard shows the story from Luke 15.11-32.

Even if people make mistakes, a hug is the universal sign of forgiveness. Read Luke it is so powerful.

No matter how long you have been away from Sweet Mandarin you are always welcomed with a hug. My door is always open to you, my dear friends. That is why a hug makes #980 Sweet Nothing.

#981 Sweet Nothing – Pot au chocolat

I have an exceptionally sweet tooth that its embarrasing.
‘How many sugars do you want in your tea?’
‘Four please’ I respond
‘Four!!! Is that enough?’ said sarcastically
‘Oh go on make it five then’.

When I’ve been especially good, I give myself a little bit of Heaven on Earth, a pot au chocolate. Hey I know I’m Chinese but we Chinese can cook a mean dessert and even give the French a run for their money. I buy the real chocolate, the 72% chocolate to make this exceptional dessert. It feels really naughty and indulgent. There have been occasions when I make the batch. Eat the batch. Wash the pots and you didn’t even know a masterpiece was made. Selfish? Totally. Naughty? Oh Yes. But my goodness, or should I say Ooh la la, are they good. And that’s why my pots au chocolat make #981 Sweet Nothing.

Here’s my recipe
Serves 4
Ingredients
550g 72% chocolate
6 egg yolks
125g icing sugar
250ml full-cream milk
1 pint double cream
25g blueberries to dress

Method: How to make pot au chocolat
1. Melt the chocolate over a bain-marie.

2. Beat the egg yolks with the icing sugar.

3. Boil the milk and cream together and combine with the melted chocolate and sugared egg yolks.

4. Pour the mixture into individual ramekins and cool. Refrigerate until required and add some blueberries to dress.

If you want to try them, I’d be happy to save one for you (since its you)…..so when are you coming to visit me?
Book here for your oh so naughty pot au chocolat.

#982 Sweet Nothing – Heart to Heart

Sometimes, we all have off days, weeks, months or even years. During these low times, life feels stagnant, where we’re not quite ourselves and it feels like the world is conspiring against us. Some people internalise things and don’t express their feelings, their emotions, their thoughts – and after a while it all gets too much for them. There is a combustion of sorts and people do stupid things.

My friend is going through a tough time at the moment. I don’t know whether its depression or whether there’s some sort of eating disorder going on but I’ve noticed she’s not quite the same, and that sparkle has faded. She’s also become silent in person, on the text and even on Facebook (and she’s a prolific Facebooker).

So one day at Sweet Mandarin, we sat in the cozy alcove, brewed a big pot of Jasmine tea and we just talked. It was as if I had unplugged the plug that keeps the ocean within its surroundings. She cried and cried and cried. We went through about a box of Man sized tissues. She admitted she was a mess – she wasn’t eating properly, she wasn’t sleeping, she wasn’t taking care of herself and that she felt lonely, worthless with thoughts of suicide.

It hurt me to hear she was in such a bad way, and I cried because at that point I felt helpless and I feared she would harm herself. I sat with her until she became peaceful and we set out three small action points for her to put her life back on track. Number 1 – meet up once a week and have something to look forward to. Number 2 – talk to someone everyday for 5 minutes. Number 3 – eat properly.

I know these actions might sound small. But sometimes, we need to focus on the small things to get through day by day. Life is hard but we got to try and keep going because there are beautiful moments, sweet nothings that can brighten up our world.

I saw her the next day and some colour had re-appeared in her cheeks. I knew then that she was ready to love herself again and fight for her self esteem and happiness. There is always time for a heart to heart and that’s why it makes my #982 Sweet Nothing.

#983 Sweet Nothing – Al Fresco Chinese (at Sweet Mandarin of course :0))

As we indulge in our two days of summer, I can finally use that bit of pavement opposite Sweet Mandarin to cavort in a bit of al fresco Chinese at Sweet Mandarin. I love sitting outdoors when the weather is warm and dry…it feels like I’m on holiday somewhere exotic. I just need the ocean to dip my toes in.

Oh, is it Pimms O’Clock already?

#984 Sweet Nothing – The Crowne Plaza

I found the location for Sweet Mandarin in October 2004 when it was a derelict car park. I’d been sweet talked by the developers that the area was being regenerated and that the Crowne Plaza would be opening literally next door to our building – at most a five second walk door to door. So I signed the deal and have hung in there waiting and waiting and waiting for 5 long years. Finally, after surviving beyond the odds, last year, a shiny new building was errected and became our latest welcome neighbour.

The Crowne Plaza crew namely Bob and Robin are a very friendly bunch who have the same ethos as us; to deliver a great experience to mutual clients and make them feel at home from home. They go the extra mile, and have even done that for me. Not only do they recommend their clients dine with us (we welcome you with open arms), but Robin has been that knight in shining armour when I was stranded during the snow blizzards in Manchester (thanks to freak global warming weather).

The snow was as high as the car tyre and I could not travel left, right, front or back. I just created snow circles and screamed like a girl. So I gave up on wokmobile and decided to stay at the Crowne Plaza. What a treat. The room was modern, clean, immacuate with a touch of elegance and luxury. I loved the piles of fat fluffy pillows and the power shower in particular. The next day, I was having breakfast and Robin walked past and asked what I was doing in the Crowne Plaza given that I am a Mancunian. I explained. He smiled and nodded and went on with his duties. After a sumptuous big breakfast and a good glug of coffee, I went to pay. ‘The bill has been settled Lisa. Thank you.’ I couldn’t believe it. Robin had paid for my stay out of his allowances and wouldn’t allow me to pay. Now that’s what you call a knight in shining armour.

Here’s their website – book there, its an excellent experience – home away from home http://www.cpmanchester.com/ and whilst your staying at the Crowne Plaza, book a table at Sweet Mandarin here, pop around the corner to visit me at Sweet Mandarin. It would be great to meet you and personally welcome to Manchester. Because of Robin and his generosity in my time of need, The Crowne Plaza makes my #984 Sweet Nothing.

#985 – Date Night on a Monday

I work 6.5 days a week at Sweet Mandarin. I love my job but I need an evening off – and Monday is date night. Its a chance for me to doll up, enjoy good food and service with the company of my darling but if you want atmosphere, forget it. A few places actually don’t open on a Monday or if they do its usually opening just for us. Nonetheless, I always savour my evening and appreciate those in the industry who are working hard to look after us. So in honour of the restauranteurs, waiting on staff and kitchen staff, I salute you with #985 Date Night on a Monday. If you want me to try your place, tweet me @sweetmandarin and I’ll tweet and twitpic all about it. I took these photos at the lovely Lounge Ten. They open on Mondays and they looked after us like royalty – thank you Lounge 10 (click here)

#986 Sweet Nothing – I Love You Dad

I know one day will never make up for all the universal joys and incredible memories of childhood that I’ve shared with my Dad but I wanted to thank you Dad, for being there for me, always, unconditionally and always fighting our corner. Together with the entire world – in celebrations of Dads all over the world on Father’s Day 20th June, I wanted to say I love you Dad.

I remember the midnight jogging sessions to Chaddy park with Dad, my siblings and our dog, Choy Sum as Mum drove the old banger alongside us. Even though we never managed to jog back as we all went home in the car – I loved that sense of adventure you instilled in us.

I remember Mum had gone out to buy the groceries and you decided to be a hairdresser for the day. We all had pudding bowl haircuts……and it was so atrocious you bought us an ice cream to make up for it. I learnt quickly not to let you touch my hair ever again!

I remember the amazing dinners you made us ranging from spare ribs to a whole steamed fish to chicken tomato with an egg in it and your amazing red cooked melt in the mouth chicken. And you allowed me to go on the woks and you taught me how to cook the perfect egg fried rice. Wow – Dad you’re the best.

And now you and the fat baby are partners in crime!

For everyone out there, don’t forget its Father’s Day on Sunday 20th June. We only have a few tables left that evening (5-11pm). If you’d like to tell your Dad you love him by treating him to a delicious Chinese banquet, I’d be honoured to serve you our sumptuous food and ice cold beers. To book your table call 0161 832 8848 or email me lisa@sweetmandarin.com .

Its finally back by popular demand. Our Rich Dad, Poor Dad Cashflow Game is back tomorrow (Tuesday 22nd June and Tuesday 29th June 2010). It starts at 6pm and is limited to 8 players (please email me to book your free place lisa@sweetmandarin.com).

The game arose out of my interest in the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki which taught me how to ‘Get Out of the Rat Race. Learn the secrets of cash flow and how to never worry about money again. This board game will transform the “money mind-set” of anyone who plays, whether they are new to financial information, or seasoned investors’. Ok it might not get you debt free immediately, but its always good to educate oneself and meet likeminded people.

Where: Sweet Mandarin 19 Copperas Street, Manchester M4 1HS
When: Tuesday 22nd June and Tuesday 29th June
Time: 6pm – 9pm
Cost: Free
Numbers: 8 maximium. Beginners welcome
Contact: lisa@sweetmandarin.com

#987 Sweet Nothing – High Energy Students

I must have been very wicked in a former life, because I am a glutton for punishment. Straight after an intense Friday night service, I’ve scheduled a cookery school session for Saturday morning. And straight after an even more intense Saturday night service, I’ve scheduled a cookery school session for Sunday morning. Often, its a battle against the clock. Wake up. Get washed. Drive – on road, avoid pedestrian. Open up just before the queue forms and psche myself up to teach.

I teach every weekend at the Sweet Mandarin Cookery School. I love meeting the students and it is their high energy which keeps me going, pumps me alive and they make me forget about that lie-in and trashy daytime tv. I teach three courses – beginners Chinese cookery, intermediate Chinese cookery and dim sum masterclasses. Courses are booked up till August (give or take one or two slots) and although my body is physically knackered, I’m up fighting, ready to teach and love bouncing off the energy in the class. If you want to find out more about Sweet Mandarin’s cookery school, click here

#989 Sweet Nothing – Skype to Australia

One of my oldest and dearest friends has uprooted herself and gone to Australia. I miss her dearly but one thing that has helped us keep in touch is Skype. Its free, its reliable and most importantly she doesn’t feel like shes miles away. Gone are the days when I’d have to buy three or four phone cards and conversations were arbitarily cut off as the credit dripped to zero. Gone are the days when I’d have to dial those phone card numbers that lasted 20 digits and often got them wrong. Now, with Skype, I can just sit at the computer and even see her and she can see me video-to-video. Its incredible how technology has really helped keep people around the world in touch. We’ve had some really deep conversations on Skype and its been a lifesaver in many respects – which makes Skyping to Australia my #989 Sweet Nothing.

#990 Sweet Nothing – a full body massage with crystal therapy

I go to Krystals every Monday for my massage. The job I do is physical, emotional and mentally challenging, so this is my treat to myself and an investment in my body. I can hear every bone crack and release all the muscles I didn’t even know existed. Krystal is one of those deeply spiritual people whom I have known only for a few years but I feel like I have known for lifetime. She’s a great lady who also applies crystal therapy after my massage and she has saved my wobbly legs, bruised arms and backache from permanent damage and this is firmly my #990 Sweet Nothing.

#991 Sweet Nothing – Bonus Night
.

Date night is Monday because Mondays is when the restaurant is closed. I love date night but its even sweeter when I get a bonus night i.e. an additional date night which is not Monday. This Sunday, my darling came to take me to the cinema to watch Sex and the City 2. Now that is real commitment for a man – to watch a chick flick movie and have enough conviction to be the only man in the audience. That’s why bonus night makes my #991 Sweet Nothing.

#992 Sweet Nothing – Eating a whole lobster all to myself.

I love this diet that I’m on. Its called the See Food Diet. You eat what you see! I know that’s an ancient joke but it still tickles me. But seriously, it feels so ridiculously indulgent to sit there, roll your sleeves up and just dig in, eating the lobster claws first, then some of those yee mein noodles that have absorbed all that ginger spring onion and lobster goodness. Then I move systematically from head to tail, devouring each piece of sweet juicy lobster until the pile of shells form a calcium clankering tower of evidence that I came, I saw and I conquerored! So this eating fest is #992 Sweet Nothing.

#993 Sweet Nothing – Meeting my favourite school teacher I haven’t seen for 20 years and reminiscing about the good ole days.

Talk about blast from the past. I’ll never forget Mrs F. who taught us Maths because I’ve always thought she was way too glamorous to be a Maths teacher and also she took us ski-ing one Easter. The funny thing about this ski trip was that I could not stop and never really got to grips with the slopes. So as my classmates waited patiently mid-slope, I’d be zooming down and call out see you at the bottom of the slope. I wasn’t trying to show off, I just couldn’t stop. Eventually after many exasperated chats from Mrs F, she insisted that we try to meet mid-slope. So I ended up falling on my side everytime I wanted to stop. The French locals saw me in distress and ran to me everytime I fell. I waved and said ‘Don’t worry, That’s how I stop!’. They didn’t understand and continued to try to help me up. I just shook my head and said no. If I got up, I’d be rolling down the slope again.

So Mrs F. visited Sweet Mandarin tonight and wow, it was amazing to see her and catch up. She’s still at my old school, still teaching Maths. But she still remembered me and that ski trip!.

So Mrs F makes #993 Sweet Nothing!

#994 Sweet Nothing – Going for dinner with friends, and secretly paying for the meal – I love the expression of my friends when they realise.

They say that giving is better than receiving. I agree. Sometimes, when I go out with friends or family, I love to secretly pay for the meal – rather than haggle about who had an extra glass of wine – and just treat them. The favourite bit is the chain reaction when someone finally asks the waiter ‘Please can we have the bill’. The waiter will nod and smile (one hopes) and goes to the cashier who reports back that the bill has been settled. Waiter raises eyebrows – oh right and goes to report back to the table. ‘Sir, the bill’s been paid’. My dear friends at this point shake their head as if they have mis-heard and summons the waiter to repeat those golden words. When it finally settles that the bill has been paid, everyone looks around to figure out whose paid the bill. When they finally deduce that its me, they try to fight me with their £20 notes – ‘come on, take it’.

I calmly say ‘no’ and with my hands try to fend off the £20s that are being waved in my face. Finally everyone rustles the money back into their leather wallets and thanks me. For me, its the element of surprise and treating my dear friends that makes this act #994 Sweet Nothing.

#995 Sweet Nothing – Singing to Jon Bon Jovi Videos all night long and occasionally getting carried away as I play air guitar – oh and hogging the sofa.

Since I can remember I have always had a ‘secret’ crush on Jon Bon Jovi and he looks more and more handsome as he gets older. Well its only secret to Jon Bon Jovi and that’s because our paths have never crossed but I’ve declared it on Facebook – so Jon, feel free to add me as a friend and I’ll cook for you! If you are a friend of a friend of a friend, please tell him that its my life’s dream to meet him and cook for him. Sweet!

#996 Sweet Nothing – Winning a Tenner on the Lottery

The way I get my six numbers for the lottery is to read out the numbers in a calm monotone voice to the fat baby and if he squeaks or starts to babble, that number makes it way to the hotlist. Of course, sometimes, the fat baby might offer more numbers than is necessary, in which case I will then close my eyes and stab at the sheet. Which ever numbers are chosen become my lucky numbers for the week. I don’t really expect to make my millions by winning the lottery, but as the saying goes, you have to be in it to win it. When I win a tenner, I celebrate big time! Its vanilla creams, donuts, chocolate pots and lots of PG Tips tea.

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#997 Sweet Nothing – Receiving Orchids from a Private Admirer

I’ve never received flowers before in my whole life. So when Valentine’s arrived I tried to block it out of my mind – that day is not for me, its for my lovebird clients. As I walked past the packed queues at Hallmark I turned my head the other way but saw all those cuddly teddies reflected in the window. Even at the supermarket, which should have been a normal shopping day the aisles were turned into the Chelsea Flower Show with the rows and rows of absolutely gorgeous roses, lillies, carnations, tulips and orchids. My initial reaction was get out of there quick. Its just torture because no one has ever bought me flowers. And this year is no different. Well so I thought.

Its Valentine’s Day at Sweet Mandarin. This year its interesting because Chinese New Year falls on Valentine’s Day. Its extra busy. Service has already started even though the sign says closed on the door. So I’m in and out of the kitchen helping my sister welcome our clients. I run back into the kitchen to prepare to cook. After a few minutes, my sister calls me ‘Hey Lisa. You got a delivery! Its flowers for you!’. Do you know what I did? Well I did what any self-respecting lady would do. I shook my head in disbelief then I jumped up and down in the kitchen, punching the air with my fist thinking ‘ About Bloody Time!’. Then I took a deep breath, walked out and acted as if receiving flowers was nothing special. Thanked my sister. Smiled at the clients who at that point were clapping!!! and waved at them to acknowledge their well wishes (felt like the Queen at that point). Grabbed my flowers and walked back into the kitchen. Oh my goodness that moment was sheer sweetness and makes my #997 Sweet Nothing. I’ll treasure that feeling for the rest of my life. Thank you God. I am loved!

#998 Sweet Nothing – Making one too many salt and pepper ribs – and having to eat it.

Oh my word. There’s an extra rib frying and its got my name all over it. There are times when one is busy that things like this happen – accidently of course. Once cooked up, the only path of this extra rib is either to be eaten or be thrown away. Well I can’t let this perfectly good looking rib go to waste. That would be scandalous. Its hot to touch but worth the pain. Holding it like a squirrel holding a nut, I bite into the rib, relishing in the crunch and a burst of sweetness from the tender pork rib. As I chew the mix of salt, spice, herbs infuse with the lip numbing chillies. In less than 10 seconds, I’ve devoured it and I lick my lips wanting more….

To book your portion of ribs click here

#999 Sweet Nothing – Meeting a client who has just flown in from Switzerland, taxi-ed from the airport to Sweet Mandarin and their sole purpose in visiting Manchester is to eat at Sweet Mandarin.

When I set up my little restaurant with my two sisters in November 2004, many people were sceptical that this business would work. For a start, we still got asked for ID when we went to buy alcohol and were unheard of in Manchester. However, we slowly built up our loyal following from the 20,000 residents on our doorstep and were prepared to do every task necessary to make it work – whether it be sweep up, lug the tables and chairs in a zillion different combinations depending on bookings, sell our houses to get financing and even sacrifice the love life (sorry darling!). So when we now get clients from Switzerland, Brazil, USA, France, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Cayman Islands and even Australia, we thank God for the blessings that are pouring down on us and try our best to look after all you lovely clients.

Alwyn and Cathy pictured here are a lovely couple whom I met on Twitter. Forget internet dating, lets talk internet dining. The first meeting with them was like meeting old friends. Gosh its amazing. After all this Tweeting, we finally meet. 140 characters becomes real instantaneously. The body language, the smiles, the face to face chat. It’s such an honour to meet finally and I can’t wait for Alwyn and Cathy to try my food. I cook for hundreds of people every night but there is still butterflies in my stomach – a mix of anticipation and excitement, a pinch of nervousness – I don’t want to let them down….but I’m gonna cook my heart out for you.

All I can say is the love that radiated in the room when they sat with us could have lit up the Blackpool Pleasure Beach at Christmas. To know they loved my food is #999 Sweet Nothing. These are the moments that give me a joyfulness so sweet that I want to burst into song. But I won’t burst into song, because that will cause the rain to pour. And we’re already in Manchester – rainy city, so lets not go there.

#1000 Sweet Nothing – The Last Ticket of the Night!

My job is the head chef at Sweet Mandarin. That means, I generally have to cook. And cook. And cook. Thank God I love cooking. Since we’ve opened Sweet Mandarin the tickets have flown in as soon as the doors open until the doors close. After a while, its dizzying – tickets just whizz in left, right and centre – soups, starters, second courses, mains, desserts – salt and pepper ribs dot the tickets, nearly every ticket orders our house special, the Mabel’s Claypot Chicken and don’t forget those sweet, light, lick-your-lips banana fritters drizzled with sweet syrup. Luckily, I’m at my best when the pressure is on and I suppose being a woman who can multi-task is awfully helpful. Phew! Control and execution are key to feeding the nation our delicious food and keeping clients happy. Having slaved away in front of rocket fuelled bunsen burners that heat to 750-950 degrees Celsius for hours my #1000 Sweet Nothing is cooking the last ticket of the night. I love you, my dear clients, but when the jobs done, I’m gonna love you and leave you.

To book a table click here

I sometimes wonder where the week goes. I wake up, I work, I go to bed. Even on Monday which is my day off. However, there are so many sweet things that happen each day and I’m going to try to document them, even if to the outside world they are just minutae. Have you seen the movie, ‘Horton Who Hears A Who’ ? Horton (the elephant) ends up hearing a Who (a specie that is so small, their entire universe fits on a speck that rests on a clover). Sometimes, the world can go by at such an alarming rate and we don’t get to hear the sweet nothings, or savour the sweetness of life. I write this blog to introduce you to my world of sweetness at Sweet Mandarin.