Who doesn't love food? Each one of us has had our share of experience in trying out a new type of cuisine or a new food haunt. With so much enthusiasm about food on Koolred, we're awarding you for your food reviews with our newly launched contest, the Asian Food Review Contest.

All you need to do is submit a creative food review on any Asian cuisine from any eateries in Asia on Koolred. A food review is nothing without its mouth-watering photos so your entry should have at least ONE photo. So for all you avid food adventurists, it's time to whip up those cameras and start snapping away at delicious food!

You can tell us about that great Balinese restaurant that serves the best nasi campur (Indonesian mixed rice):

If you experiemented with a new and unique type of cuisine- and loved it, you can share the experience with us as well as recommending some must-try dishes:

Or if you're more into local desserts, you can also tell us where to get the best mango rice in Thailand:

Remember that the place you review must be located in Asia and the cuisine must also be Asian. Feel free to tell us why the place is worth a visit (is it the appetizing food, the ambience or the top-notch service?).

We're giving you the chance to explore great food and awarding you for it too! Our three most interesting submissions will win complimentary hotel stays at either one of these boutique hotels. Our 1^st Prize winner will earn a two-night stay at the stylish Alila Manggis Hotel in Bali, Indonesia-

Our 2^nd and 3^rd Prize winners will each receive a one-night stay at either one of the LUXX Hotels in Bangkok, Thailand. 2^nd Prize winner will be checked into the exclusive LUXX XL at Langsuan while 3^rd Prize will win a stay at LUXX at Silom:

Have we got you food lovers' worked up yet? We welcome all Koolred members to participate in this food review contest. If you're not a member, don't fret. You can sign up now to participate!

Don't fancy writing a review? You could always comment on your favourite reviews or share them on Facebook or Twitter. Also you'll now have a list of brand new places to dine and go to for the best food in Asia! If you're more of "a spur of the moment" type, you can also submit your food entries via our Koolred mobile site while dining at the place you're reviewing.

Thank you to Alila Manggis and LUXX Hotel for their generous support and for sponsoring the prizes in the Asian Food Review Contest. So hurry on now, guys! Send in your contest entries before 22 March 2011 to stand a chance of winning those fantabulous hotel stays. 

This contest is open to all Koolred members aged 18 and up.

"Bonjour mon amour"

Wouldn't you love to travel to Paris, France? Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and is also believed to be the most romantic place on earth (French is also known as the language of love). With so much 'love' around, it's no wonder everyone has fallen in love with the news that AirAsia X is flying to the Capital of Romance starting from 14 February 2011.

We've highlighted Paris as our Kool Destination this week, so give it some love as we list down five quick fun facts on the City of Love:

1. So Paris is called the 'City of Lights' because it's the most-lit city in the world, right? Wrong! The word 'lights' are actually referred to the intellectual citizens (such as artists, writers and sculptors) in which they moulded Paris into a city that's one of a kind.

A "light" in Paris

2. The name 'Paris' was originally Lutetia Parisiorum in which 'Lutetia' is believed to be derived from the Latin word "lutum", meaning "mud".  Before Paris became this elegant city that we're so familiar with, it was home to early settlers who scrubbed their clothes on muddy banks of the Siene.

How the serene Siene River looks like today

3. The seductive can-can dance was once denounced as an immoral performance- even the word cancan means "scandal". At that time, the dance was initially for couples where they would indulge in high kicks and many gestures with their arms and legs. Performers were arrested but soon the dance became more professional and is now a renowned dance in Paris.

Colourful cancan dancers in the Moulin Rouge

4. Did you know that cotton candy made one of its earliest appearances in Paris? The sweet sugary treat was sold at the Exposition Universelle (world's fair in Paris) in 1900. During the late 1890s, spun sugar was expensive and generally not available to the average commoner as well.

Who knew this candy treat was once expensive?

5. The infamous Mona Lisa painting had once been stolen in 1911 from the Musée du Louvre museum in Paris by an employee who believed that the painting should be returned to Italy from which Leonardo Da Vinci hailed from. However the painting was recovered 27 months after it was stolen.

Her enigmatic smile

Have you been to Paris, France? Share with us your memorable experience there or if you'd like to add more trivia to our list! We hope you enjoyed discovering and learning about the capital city of France as much as we did.

Chocolate is the symbol of love. They are universally accepted as the ultimate gift for showering the recipient with ample of love and affection. The majority of women would rather curl up to a good dosage of chocolate while men habitually perceive them as a simple yet romantic option for gifts during occasions. 

This Valentine's, Koolred decided to give all of you a sweet delectable indulgence in the form of chocolate truffles. This French confectionery sends out a chocolate-y and creamy taste that's rich yet elegant. Not only are they the perfect gift for your Valentine (or any event or celebration for that matter), these petite treats are also surprisingly easy to make in the comfort of your own home!

Before we let you in on how you can transform into a Chocolatier overnight, here's a little insight on how chocolate truffles came about: These exquisite bite-sized delights are specifically moulded into non-spherical rounds and rolled in cocoa powder to resemble the truffle fungus which is considered a sumptuous delicacy worldwide.

So put a smile on your loved one's face by embracing the art of making homemade chocolate truffles this Valentine's Day:

xoxo, The Koolred Team

It's that time of the year again where the Chinese community celebrates Chinese New Year- the most important and auspicious festival in the calendar. Alas families will gather and reunite; the colourful performances of the lion dance will take place; the night skies will be lighted up by fireworks; houses swept-clean and decorated with lanterns; as well as the practice of giving is embraced through the exchange of mandarin oranges and red packets (ang pows). Yes, it's that season where everything is red as the fiery colour signifies luck and is believed to fend off evil spirits. The New Year typically lasts for 15 days in which this year, the first day will take place on 3^rd February 2011.

2011 ushers in the Year of the Metal Rabbit. Those born in the year of the Rabbit, just like their animal counterparts are generally calm people and they choose not to exhibit aggressive behaviours. So to honour this prominent attribute as well as this prosperous festivity, we at Koolred will demonstrate the art of folding origami bunnies. Folding origami is not just fun and pretty to look at, the art works as a physical therapy to relax one's self and to melt a day's tension away.

So here you are folks, our very own quick origami tutorial that teaches you how to make origami rabbits this Chinese New Year. Koolred wishes all Chinese Redsters, Gong Xi Fa Chai!