Chef Wan: Hectic lifestyle making M’sia a sickly nation

JOHOR BARU: Malaysia could turn into a sickly and unproductive nation if people do not adopt a healthier lifestyle, especially in eating habits, warns celebrity chef Datuk Chef Wan.

Chef Wan, whose real name is Redzuawan Ismail, said hectic lifestyles have led to many neglecting the need to eat healthy and nutritious food.

“These days, it is more common for people to eat outside than nutritious home-cooked food, as parents are too busy with work.

“It has come to the point where even 13-year-olds can be diagnosed with diabetes and 30-year-olds suffer from heart diseases,” he said after conducting a cooking demonstration here on Saturday.

“We need to go back to our roots, as the healthier older generations proved that cooking at home leads to a better quality of life,” he said.

Chef Wan also stressed that children should be taught at a young age about the importance of eating healthy and learning about the ingredient that went into their food.

“We need to incorporate more of food education for younger children besides teaching them about gardening and nature,” he added.

On a separate note, Chef Wan claimed that poor attitude and lack of passion among young aspiring chefs were the biggest obstacles for the growth of the culinary industry in Malaysia.

“They come in thinking it’s an easy way to gain fame and glory, especially with all the cooking competitions and shows that focus on newcomers.

“I am worried where the authenticity of our Asian food will end up and this is not just coming from me, as I have also been receiving complaints from other experienced chefs in the country,” he said.

Chef Wan added that it has been tough training younger ones, as they were mostly demanding and picky about which cuisines or specialities to focus on.

“People tend to forget that cooking is about skills,” he said, adding that even popular local street foods are being taken over by foreigners.