CELEBRITY pastry chef Buddy Valastro is keen to feature a young Malaysian girl in an upcoming episode of his reality television show, Cake Boss.
Valastro said this during a meet-and-greet session with seven-year-old Leah Choy after hearing about her inspiring story setting up a cupcake business since to help raise funds for her younger sister's medical needs.
However, Valastro said that this is still subject to the others involved in the production of the show.
“On my part, yes, but there are other channels that we have to go through,” he told Astro AWANI.
The TV star also promised a tour of his factory in the United States.
“When she visits the United States, I am going to give her a nice tour of the factory, we will do a bit of baking together.
"Hopefully I can help raise awareness on what’s going and raise some money,” he said.
Leah expressed her excitement over Valastro’s invitation.
“I am very excited. He said that I’ll go to his factory. And work together and make a cake,” Leah said.
Leah garnered the attention of Valastro after posting a Facebook post about a potential meet-up in Malaysia.
A huge fan of Valastro since she was five, Leah started her cupcake business in order to help raise funds for her younger sister Adele who is suffering from cerebral palsy.
Following Adele’s treatment in the United States in April of this year, Leah went to Carlo’s Bakery in New Jersey owned by Valastro, in hoping to meet the TV star.
To her disappointment, Valastro was not in the store at the time of her visit.
Upon hearing news that Valastro will visit Malaysia, netizens rallied behind her until an arrangement was made for Valastro to meet Leah at Starhill Culinary Studio in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.
The meet-up between Leah and Valastro was coordinated by V Buzz, a talk show on Astro Ulagam.
"We want to thank the V Buzz team. They really made it happen for Leah.
"We really need to thank all the people in social media, especially Facebook who have shared her story of wanting to meet Buddy.
"It’s amazing we get to meet Valastro. He is such a humble person. He even offered to help Adele (Leah's younger sister) with the fundraising project. We are excited. We can’t wait to see him when we are in the US. We are actually flying there on Thursday," said Leah’s mother, Tay Mei Yean.
src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js">" imgtitle="Leah Choy (left) surprises Buddy Valastro with some homemade cupcakes." src="http://img.astroawani.com/2016-10/61477925685_freesize.jpg" style="width: 840px; height: 581px;" />
Valastro is in Kuala Lumpur to promote the eighth season of his show Cake Boss, which will premiere on November 9 on TLC, Astro channel 707.
Syafique Shuib
Tue Nov 01 2016
Seven-year-old Leah Choy (left) during a personal meet-and-greet session with celebrity pastry chef Buddy Valastro at Starhill Culinary Studio on Monday. -Astro AWANI/Syafique Shuib
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.