Malaysian Celebrity Chef, Nor Zailina Promotes Local Delights To Japan And Brunei

By Syarrizuan Abd Rashid SHAH ALAM (Selangor, Malaysia), June 18 (Bernama) -- Celebrity chef Nor Zailina Md Nordin described her experience promoting traditional Malay delicacies 'tepung pelita' (double-layered rice flour dessert) in Japan and the 'keropok lekor' (fish sausage) in Brunei as among the most valuable in her 20 years in the culinary industry. Nor Zailina, 50, said it all began when she was contacted by a Japanese restaurateur who wanted to learn how to make the tepung pelita for marketing in the country. "In March 2004, they expressed their interest in the tepung pelita after reading my cookbook. They wanted to master the method of making this local delicacy so that it can be sold at their restaurant in Tokyo," she told Bernama here. Also, from 2003 to 2007, Brunei became a regular destination for her where she imparted her skills in making keropok lekor, a popular delicacy of the east coast. She said Bruneians loved the snack so much that they wanted to learn how to produce it and eventually set up a keropok lekor business in the country. "Those are the sweetest memories I had and I'm happy to be able to bring two local delicacies to an international level," she added. Nor Zailina's culinary journey began when she entered a cooking competition in 1992, then moved on to publish her first cookbook in 1998 which contained recipes from her mother and grandmother. She now has 35 cookbooks under her belt, including a collection of personal recipes and those which are over 50 years old. "Among the recipes which have received overwhelming response are traditional cooking from the East Coast states combining flavours from Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan," said Nor Zailina who hails from Ketari, Bentong (Pahang, Malaysia). Nor Zailina is now promoting her recipes at the Grand Bluewave Hotel, here. Among the dishes which can be enjoyed include Nasi Dagang, Nasi Kerabu, Nasi Samukun, Gulai Ikan Tongkol, Opor Ayam Pekan, Patin Gulai Tempoyak, Lawa Ikan, Som Tam, Laksam and Laksa Terengganu as well as a variety of local sweets like Cek Mek Molek, Akok, Beko Pulut and Badak Kubang. -- BERNAMA