Join Cathy Leong for a comforting and flavourful dinner programme where participants will come together to reflect on My First Journeys through the lens of confinement food—nourishing meals prepared with care to support mothers after childbirth. Across many cultures, confinement meals are rooted in the belief that food plays a vital role in recovery, using ingredients that warm the body, boost energy, and restore strength during this important time.
For Cathy, these recipes are deeply personal—carried down through generations and first learned when she began cooking to support her cousin during pregnancy. Under the guidance of her cousin and aunt, she delved into the traditions of her family’s heritage in Foshan, a city in southern China known for its refined, nourishing cuisine. In her family, food is a quiet act of care and continuity, and these dishes have become central to how they mark new beginnings and gather across time.
The evening’s menu draws from classic Foshan-style confinement fare, lovingly prepared in Cathy’s own kitchen. Expect comforting dishes such as pig’s trotters, ginger chicken, vegetables with sesame oil, and red date soup—each selected for its warming, healing qualities. A highlight of the meal is Chinese Wine with Chicken, made with a fragrant, amber-hued wine brewed within Cathy’s family. Unlike typical versions that use white rice, this wine is made with glutinous rice, believed to contain higher levels of antioxidants to help mothers expel wind and restore balance after childbirth.
This dinner is an invitation to slow down, savour time-honoured recipes, and share in stories of motherhood, resilience, and heritage. Whether you’ve experienced confinement meals yourself or are encountering them for the first time, Cathy’s dinner offers a heartfelt taste of how food carries us through life’s earliest and most tender journeys.
Cathy Leong may not have children of her own, but her connection to the tradition of confinement food runs deep. When her cousin became pregnant, Cathy took it upon herself to learn the art of cooking confinement meals—recipes lovingly passed down through her aunt. For Cathy, these dishes are more than just nourishment for new mothers—they’re a powerful way of keeping family bonds and traditions alive.
In her household, cooking confinement meals is a collective act. It brings the family together, not just after childbirth, but also during moments of renewal and celebration, such as Chinese New Year. With thoughtful tweaks, these nourishing dishes often reappear at special gatherings, marking new beginnings and shared joy.
Join Cathy as she shares the warmth, wisdom, and memories tied to these treasured recipes, offering a heartfelt window into how food continues to bring generations together.
Meet Gregory Peck, a gentle and kind-hearted heritage guide whose passion for the past shines through in every tour he leads. A familiar face at My Boon Keng Heritage Tour, Gregory also shares his knowledge and warmth as a volunteer guide at the Peranakan Museum and Asian Civilisations Museum. His calm and engaging style makes participants feel welcome, while his depth of knowledge brings history vividly to life.
An avid heritage enthusiast, Gregory loves exploring old towns in Malaysia and Indonesia, often returning with stories of forgotten temples, crumbling shophouses, and hidden gems tucked away in quiet alleys. These personal adventures fuel his guiding, allowing him to connect local histories with broader regional narratives.
Affectionately loved by fellow volunteers and participants alike, Gregory is known not only for his insightful commentary but also for his humility, patience, and kindness. Whether you’re walking through the streets of Boon Keng or the galleries of a museum, a tour with Gregory feels less like a lecture and more like a journey with a trusted friend—one who reminds us of the beauty of the past and the importance of preserving it for future generations.
Participants should be dressed respectfully in smart casual (i.e. collared shirt, long pants and covered shoes). Sleeveless attire, shorts/miniskirts or sandals are strictly not allowed.
Dishes contain eggs and rice wine. The food is not non-vegetarian and not halal-certified.
Parking is available at Buangkok Square Mall.
What’s For My Dinner?
What’s For My Dinner?
What’s For My Dinner?
What’s For My Dinner?
What’s For My Dinner?
What’s For My Dinner?
