——-19/05/2012——-
I mentioned before that the Lao food fair was on in May this year and I was keen to go with my Lao friend so she could explain all the delicious things I was eating. 
The temple holds an annual fundraising food festival with countless volunteers doing days of preparation before to get the occasion running smoothly.
It was really well organised, you purchase money tokens in denominations of $1, $2, $5 and $10, so vendors didn’t have to deal with money exchange and giving change etc. Conveniently most things were $1, $2 or $5. 
With so many things to choose from I didn’t know what to eat, but I ended up trying one of almost everything. 
Saku Yutsai ($5.00) basically a crispy wrapped around tasty prawns, worth dipping into the sauce for more flavour.
Chicken Laksa – maybe not the most convenient thing to eat with limited seating with tables but it didn’t disappoint those who persevered.
Lao sausages ($2.00) The woman at the stand who was cooking the sausages was a very good sales person guaranteeing that if I tried one I would love it. She wasn’t wrong, three of these sausages later I was feeling fat and sassy.
Freshly cooked sticky rice – Traditionally eaten with your fingers, sticky rice went with everything, curries, laab and especially the laos sausages, I think that is what made me so full!
Coconut Puddings ($5.00) These were like little sticky gelatinous balls with a strong flavour of coconut milk.
Laab chicken and beef – A lot of effort goes into making laab, so much easier buying it than making it yourself! I preferred chicken over beef.
Vegetable tempura – A variety of vegetables fried in a light batter.
Chicken Satay ($2.00)
What’s an Asian event without spring rolls!
Phat thai ($5.00) My friend ate a box before and said her noodles were a bit uncooked, I was lucky enough to get the next batch which was better.
Bread sticks similar to Chinese yau ja gwai but shorter.
Cassava dessert with coconut – chewy and gelatinous with most of its flavour coming from the shaved coconut.
Paw Paw salad – I ate the tiniest bit as all my friends love chilli food, that tiny bit was enough for me 
Chicken curry
Dried beef ($5.00)– I’ve never had jerky but I’d imagine it would taste similar.
Roti with condensed milk – now we’re talking! I don’t eat that many sweets but if there’s condensed milk I’m there!
Sticky rice balls
Fish cakes
Something to drink– Iced coffee drinks or young coconut juice with pulp on sale.
As full as I was, I couldn’t turn down the offer to eat an odd looking white corn. It’s nothing like the yellow sweet corn I’m used to eating, each kernel is like eating a ‘heavy’ gelatinous ball. Not that much in the way of taste but it made my mouth very tired from chewing and me very full.
It was a lovely day to be outside soaking up some sun and eating great food. The event was well prepared and had mats around the grass area to create lots of space to eat and be merry.
With a combination of traditional food, music as well as dance, the festival allowed a glimpse into the Lao community and their culture. The great thing about the event is that it’s not restaurants who come out and make money, it is an event run by hard working volunteers who hand/home make these complex dishes and all for a good cause with all money raised going towards the temple. If you didn’t finish the food tokens you purchased you could refund them or put in as an extra donation to the temple.
I’m already looking forward to the 2013 festival!
TALES OF A CONFECTIONIST 