Renowned caterer prepares to serve PM's guests for Hari Raya

EVERY year, tens of thousands of people flock to the Prime Minister’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house in Putrajaya.

Other than getting the chance to meet the country’s premier at Seri Perdana on the first day of Raya, the other attraction is the delicious food served.

The man who has been behind the mammoth preparation for the past eight years is none other than Raja Datuk Rosly Raja Mazlan, or better known as Pak Engku of Kuzi Catering (M) Sdn Bhd.

The former office boy and waiter followed his passion for cooking and worked his way up in the food catering industry.

Mammoth event

The preparations start four days before the big event, especially where the logistics are concerned.

“About 100 workers are tasked to set up the tents and arrange the tables and chairs at the venue.

“A temporary kitchen will be set up so that my chefs and I can prepare the food.

“Next, is sourcing for the ingredients and ensuring their timely delivery,” said Pak Engku, adding that vegetables and meat were the last to arrive to ensure they were fresh.

This year’s menu is nasi briyani, curry mee, soto ayam, asam laksa, chicken rendang, mee goreng mamak, rojak pasembor, char kuey teow, roti john, satay, nasi impit and kuah kacang, roti canai, tosai and local desserts such as cendol and kuih.

“Preparing for 80,000 guests is no easy task. We need 60,000kg of basmati rice, 4,000 whole chickens, 30,000kg of noodles and tonnes of vegetables.

“The night before, about 100 chefs and I start work to prepare the food.

“We are very careful with the food preparations and ensure strict hygiene is maintained.

“The quality has to be ensured despite the quantity served.

“I will not serve bland food regardless of the pressure of preparing for so many people.

“Food that cannot be kept too long is only prepared at the end to ensure it will not spoil,” he said.

Some dishes on the menu are outsourced.

“For instance, the satay. It is not that I do not know how to make satay but I think some people make better satay than me.

“I want the guests to taste only the best food, so I ensure that those who are good in certain dishes are recruited.

“It also saves time,” he said.

Enough for everyone

Pak Engku acknowledges that one of his major concerns is whether there will be enough food for all who attend.

“I must make sure that we will not run out of food.

“To not have enough food would be a major embarrassment and humiliate the host.

“Thus, I have to make more in case an unusually large crowd turns up,” he said.

When the doors open at 10am, 500 waiters are on hand to serve all the guests.

Pak Engku personally attends to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, foreign delegates and other VVIPs.

“Datuk Seri Najib makes sure the VIPs eat the same dishes as the public during the open house.

Lot s to do: Pak Engku pitching in as one of his chefs prepares a dish.

“There are no additions to the menu,” he said.

How did he bag such a massive catering job?

Pak Engku said it was by word of mouth.

“One day, the prime minister and his wife tasted my food at an event and said they found it delicious.”

Pak Engku’s clientele includes the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He has also catered for the weddings of celebrities such as Datuk Siti Nurhaliza and Ning Baizura.

Working on the first day of Hari Raya is no sacrifice, said Pak Engku.

“At first, it was strange to be super busy when others are relaxing with their families at home.

“Now, I would not give up this experience as it is certainly more memorable celebrating Hari Raya with my employees and family members at the open house.

“After all, food is my passion and it is such an honour to cater for our country’s top leader,” he said.