I have a dream. My dream is that one day,the world shall embrace Halal food.
Today, I am honoured to be invited to witness ....a part of this dream come true.
I was invited by Mr Muhd Kamal also professionally known as Kamal Fondueman, the President of Singapore Halal Culinary Federation (SHCF).The Singapore Halal Culinary Federation is celebrating the official launch of their organization on Monday, 8 October 2012...which is today.
I saw many glowing presence of Celebrities such Chef Bob, Asmah Laili, BJ Kadir, Rahimah Rahim and there were also many Celebrities from abroad. One of them is the well-known Chef Zam beautifully dressed in baju kurung.
I heard with much interest about their future plans such as the first ever premier HALAL Hybrid-Community kitchen cum culinary art studio and private dining set up between a food business group, SHCF and various self help welfare bodies.
I listen intently (nearly teary eyed cos Halal is close to my heart) as they said out their vision mission, cause and intentions:
"SHCF will be extending professional expertise and support in setting it up and managing the wholesome experience; with the culinary course held at the kitchen, we aim to empower underprivileged families, breast cancer patients and survivors (AIn Society beneficiaries). We also wish to pave career paths for the children of these families by educating them through structured culinary programs, increasing their employability and giving them a ray of hope in their life.
As for the community kitchen, these feature will increase the confidence of many micro home based food service provider to operate from a licensed yet certified industrially set up kitchen, with the high start up cost of a new food service set up or a central kitchen, many potentials food-terpreneurs found this wanting, this set up will also act as their incubator(training ground) engagement with SHCF, managing real time kitchen or restaurant operation and offering their ready clients the much needed quality assurance. The added advantage of this feature is that it’s user friendly and can be exercised through its flexible time allocation...."
I've personally met up and chat with Ms Quek Jing Yan from Beautiful People organisation (one of those organisations which SHCF sponsors) who strive to coach and mentor young ladies from various homes to manifest their dreams. I love their motto:-Because every girl has a dream. Check them out at www.beautifulpeople.org.sg
She told me with full passion about her love to help this kids. I applaud her big heart full of unconditional love,patience and determination to work with these gorgeous kids. She selflessly work with them,believing in them and somehow she too reap the benefits. She told me that not only the kids learn from her and the volunteers but in return,she learnt more from them as well especially on life challenges:upbringing and families.(Jing Yan,I know U can do it!May all your dreams come true!)
I nearly stand up and did my "jiggetyjaggety dance" when I heard that they will be producing a gourmet cookbook whereby the favourite gourmet recipes of the world will be made Halal. Woohoo! I would love to see how they substitute non halal ingredients with halal food ingredients. Fantabulous project!
And of course,I've tasted the fresh buffet offerings from Marina Mandarin Singapore's Halal kitchen managed by World renowned Global chef:Chef Tony Khoo. Simply Irresistible! And even get to browse his marvelous book in which Chef Tony Khoo has also agreed to donate all sales proceed of his premier book for charitable causes. *applause please for these generous n kind souls
Fyi-The Singapore Halal Culinary Federation (SHCF) is a Non Profit organization consisting of culinary and service professional members with a purpose to educate the public on the dynamism of Halal food and to teach and involve Food Service Providers on service quality and best practices. The federation is affiliated to the World Association of Chefs Society (WACS), the Singapore Chefs Association (SCA), the Singapore Pastry Alliance (SPA) and the Singapore Junior Chefs Club (SJCC)..and their chairman, Chef Akber Ali has just presented ‘Halal Food for a Sustainable Future’ as an invited keynote speaker at the recent WACS World Congress in Daejeon, Korea from 1 - 5 May 2012.
You can check out their website for more info: http://halalculinary.org/Home.php
My comments...
I am so proud of them...as fellow muslim, and Singaporean...they are on the right path in creating awareness and educate the public on Halal food and ways to make them yummilicious. I believe they are on the right track to excellence and more mega successes. I believe in them! They really blow my mind with their fantastic efforts,creative ideas and vision mission. Well done SHCF!! I won't be surprised if they become one of the top in the world. Keep on dreaming and believing,people!
Love,
Putri.