Chefs unite for charity cook-up

The chefs taking part in the Cooking For A Cause initiative at the Food Aid Foundation.

ASAM pedas chicken, fu yong egg and garlicky pak choy were on the menu for 500 residents of Desa Tasik, Kuala Lumpur, courtesy of about 50 chefs who swapped their restaurant and hotel kitchens for a charity cook-up.

The food packs, prepared at Food Aid Foundation (FAF), were distributed at Surau Diniatul Islamiah near a low-cost housing area.

Professional Culinaire Association of Malaysia (PCA) president Chef Bob Adnin said the chefs travelled from as far as Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Melaka for the Cooking For A Cause initiative, held in conjunction with World Food Day and International Chefs Day.

“It’s simple food, but tasty. Food everyone will eat,” he told StarMetro.

Bob said PCA regularly sent chefs to support FAF’s charity drives and was ready to scale up its efforts.

“Whether it’s 800 or 1,000 people, we can do it,” he said.

FAF general manager Afraz Said in her speech said a proper meal was something many people took for granted.

The food packs are distributed at Surau Diniatul Islamiah.

“For some families, it means stretching their money until the end of the month.

“For some parents, it means worrying about how to feed their children.”

Turning to the chefs, she added: “You may spend only a few hours preparing these meals, but for someone receiving one, it can mean a great deal.”

FAF founder Rick Chee, who is also a PCA adviser, said tackling hunger required more than one organisation.

“It requires people from different backgrounds and industries to come together and contribute what they can.”

Worldchefs vice continental director for Asia, Chef KK Yau, said chefs had the skills and influence to make a positive difference in their communities.

“Initiatives like Cooking For A Cause show what we can achieve when we come together with a shared purpose,” said Yau.

The event was supported by Worldchefs, Unilever Food Solutions, Thyme Out, Nyolike and Daily Market, with chefs from five other associations also taking part.

FAF rescues edible surplus food and redistributes it to charitable homes and underprivileged communities.