BECOME A FRIEND MAKE A DONATION NEWSLETTER MEDIA & PRESS CONTACT US ARCHIVE ABOUT ASIA HOUSE OUR PEOPLE OUR SUPPORTERS BILATERALS CULTURAL PATRONS WE SUPPORT OTHERS VACANCIES VISITING ASIA HOUSE SUPPORTS OTHERS Yan Kit So Memorial Award for Asian Food Writers 2008 Asia House Tsunami Fund Pakistan Earthquake Appeal Concert Yan Kit So Memorial Award for Asian Food Writers 2008 Have you ever considered writing your own cookery book? This is your opportunity to create a unique cookery book based on Asian cuisine from any corner of Asia – from Iran to Japan and from Central Asia to Indonesia – while learning more about culture, cuisine and the continent. The inspiration for this has come from the work of Yan Kit So (1933–2001), once Britain’s leading authority on Chinese cuisine. A tireless promoter of food in Asia, her first book The Classic Chinese Cookbook went on to win major prizes such as the prestigious André Simon Book Award. To honour her memory, Asia House is offering the Yan Kit So Memorial Award for Asian Food Writers 2008. This bursary has been set up to provide first-time cookery writers with support for travel and research expenses while they write their proposals, before publishing contracts have been awarded. The maximum bursary available is £2,500 and will vary depending on proposals and budgets. It will be awarded to those who show that they can make a significant contribution to the knowledge of Asian food and encourage the next generation of cookery writers. Applicants must reside in the UK and must not have already published a cookery book. Applications will be evaluated by: David Thompson, head chef of Michelin-starred restaurant Nahm Lyn Hall, winner of the Glenfiddich Food Book Award and founder of the renowned La Petite Cuisine School of Cooking Lady Mei Ling Harris, co-chair of Asia House’s cultural patrons. What do I have to do? Fill out the applicant information form (Word document: 36 KB). In a covering letter, tell us a bit about yourself. In no more than 1,000 words, describe your cookery book proposal. Enclose a travel itinerary and budget. Include the contact details of two referees who can support your proposal. Please send your application – via post or email – to: Asia House 63 New Cavendish Street London W1G 7LP enquiries@asiahouse.co.uk For more information, please ring Aurelie Bocquillon or Stephanie Plewes on +44 (0)207 307 5454. All applications must be received by 31st January 2008. Terms and conditions The award is open to UK residents only. Those who have already published a cookery book are not eligible to enter. Applicants must be over 18 years of age. The proposal must be the work of a single author. The proposal must fall within the geographical area of Asia within the remit of Asia House – that is, from Iran to Japan and from the central Asian republics to Indonesia. Applications must be received by 31st January 2008. Illustrations may be included at the author’s discretion. Any materials sent will not be returned. The winner will be notified by June 2008. The maximum amount to be awarded is £2,500 and will be evaluated according to the winner’s proposal and budget. Asia House bears no responsibility in the seeking or negotiation of any resulting publishing contract that may arise from the proposal. Asia House must be informed of any resulting publications and supplied with two complimentary copies. The winner must complete his/her travel within 12 months of receiving the award. The winner is to make a presentation at Asia House within 12 months of receiving the award. If the judges conclude that there is no entry of sufficient merit, they may abstain from making an award. The decision of the panel of judges will be final and they will not engage in correspondence about the merits of particular entries. Asia House Tsunami Fund The Asia House Tsunami Fund (AHTF) was a fundraising effort on behalf of the local victims of the tragedy of 26 December 2004, one of the worst natural catastrophes that the world has ever experienced. The AHTF had a special focus on the aftermath of the tragedy and directed its efforts predominantly towards helping rebuild the economic livelihoods of those who had been most affected across the region. Money raised was directed towards micro-credit for small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as towards funding volunteer organisations that directly assisted communities to achieve sustainable development. Our first project In considering which project to undertake first, we looked for a venture that would have the maximum possible economic multiplier effect at the most local level. It is estimated that, on 26 December 2004, Sri Lanka lost as much as 50% of its registered fishing fleet. The fishing industry there had provided critical employment and a livelihood to a considerable proportion of the population. We were therefore delighted to work with AdoptSriLanka, which had been established immediately after the calamity by a group of local and foreign businessman in the south of Sri Lanka. They were actively helping some communities for at least 14 days before major international aid agency workers were able to reach them. As well as Sri Lanka, the AHTF has identified projects in Thailand, India and Indonesia. Pakistan Earthquake Appeal Concert On 13 December 2005, Asia House and the Asian Music Circuit, in association with the Pakistan–Britain Trade and Investment Forum, organised a major concert and fashion show at the Royal Albert Hall, London. The aim was to increase awareness of Pakistan’s ongoing plight following the October 2005 earthquake and to raise funds for the Pakistan Earthquake Appeal. The evening featured musicians and dancers from Pakistan, India and Britain, including Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali, Karachi-based King of Pop Faakhir, models Lisa B, Yasmin Le Bon, Tania Bryer and Tamara Beckwith, and compères Sophiya Haque, Art Malik and Gurinder Chadher. The concert and fashion show – put together in a record five weeks – were supported by: HRH Prince Charles; Her Excellency Dr Maleeha Lodhi, High Commissioner of Pakistan; Michael Palin; the UK Pakistan Chamber of Commerce; PIA; and the Monsoon Trust. Some £27,000 was raised for four charities: the President’s Fund, Learning for Life, Eidhi Foundation and Islamic Relief. Site credits > Asia House 63 New Cavendish Street London W1G 7LP Tel: +44(0)20 7307 5454 Fax: +44(0)20 7307 5459 Email >