For her birthday, my wife shamelessly asked me to participate in a contest to write about her love for food. And the prize? The top 3 entries will see 3 couples having a meal with top chef Justin Quek. In fact, he will not only cook the meal, he will also autograph a free cook book that he has just launched.

And so, t'was a balmy night when I was surfing on the internet when me wife came in her nightgown fluttering in the gentle wind. With a hug and a kiss, The Wife says, " I know what I want for my birthday present!"

Lovingly, the doleful eyed husband looks at her and inquires.

The next scene that follows just destroys the mood that I painfully evoked in words in the paragraph before this. To put it simply, think of a hungry ape jumping up and down to gain that last banana...get the idea?

And so, the good husband wrecks his brain to write 200 words about his wife's love for food. The article could be sweet or humourous. I chose the latter.

Unfortunately, we did not win. And while I respect the decision of the judges, the articles submitted were somewhat saccharine to the taste. Heck! One of them even exceeded the 200 word count limit! (I actually copied and pasted the articles on Microsoft Word and ran a word count check on them) Count them for yourself at: www.chubbyhubby.net

But more importantly, the wife likes the write up. That's what matters. So instead of a dinner prepared by a top chef, a lovely mock leather work bag from Isetan proved sufficient (financed in part by my shopping voucher I won during the company D&D). Of course, there was a dinner too at the well revered Sage Restuarant

Anyway, you be the judge of the article I wrote. Remember, humour is the intention. Enjoy.

Watching Japan Hour is hazardous to my pocket

They say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. In my case, the ONLY way to my wife’s heart is through her stomach.

I mean, how many people actually get heart palpitations watching Japanese food being served during Japan Hour on CNA? Violent drooling follows, which probably explains why I always have a mop next to our television.

May I request that Japan Hour add a SG (Spousal Guidance, as opposed to Parental Guidance) rating for people like my wife? Do you know why we are going to Hokkaido this November? Here’s a hint --- Hokkaido sashimi was featured on Japan Hour a few weeks back.

Lest one thinks that this is unique to Japanese food, may I direct you to our trips to Paris and Rome made earlier this year. No, her cravings are not a result of pregnancy. They are regular occurrences I mistakenly trivialized during our courtship days.

You must understand that we not rich folks. Why can’t we be like normal food loving Singaporeans who drive from Tuas to Changi Village for Nasi Lemak? (Been there, done that)

Nevertheless, to maintain harmony in the home, such overseas food trips must be made.