Every now and again I meet up with Malaysians in this part
of the world. The first reaction is that of surprise as there are not many of
us around here and the next is noticing the unmistakable trademark – the Malaysian identity that surpasses
everything. We are no longer defined by psychological barriers like race,
religion or class status. Instead we are all countrymen united by some form of
camaraderie in a different land.
I first talked to Sham (Shamzuri) Hanifa in 2010 over the
phone after watching an interesting documentary aired over national television
about his success in the culinary field.
It is always lovely to hear a
success story. Even more so when he is a Malaysian.
I was pleasantly surprised to see him in the flesh when I
went for the National Crafts and Design Fair in Dublin
in December 2014. There was a section called the Food Emporium where over 100
artisan food producers showcased the best of the season’s bounty.
Sham opened the award winning The Cottage Restaurant in Jamestown
in County Leitrim
Not resting on his laurels, Sham
recently created quite a stir with his new range of handmade cooking sauces,
inspired by his grandmother’s cooking. The best part is that they are 100% natural with no
artificial ingredients, no artificial preservatives, no flavourings or
artificial colourings, no additives and no stabilizers.
When I visited Sham’s stand at the Food Emporium, it was
well stocked with bottles of homemade sauces. As there were many customers at
his stand, Sham reminded me to call again at his stand before I left the fair.
I did and to my surprise he packed six complimentary bottles of his flavoursome
sauces for me. I was thrilled to bits because that was totally unexpected.
Immediately it reminded me of Malaysian kinship and generosity. I must
certainly call at his restaurant when I go up to Jamestown
Another interesting café and bakery that is near where I
live is I tea in Limerick . Run by young Malaysians, I tea serves an assortment of Irish and Malaysian cakes and buns as
well as the traditional Irish breakfast.
Situated in a corner of the Limerick Milk Market which
becomes very much alive on Saturdays, it caught my attention when I was doing
my weekly shopping for fresh produce. Sitting down to a hot cup of latte and a
meat floss or curry bun is quite an unbelievable experience in a place where
buns are usually sweet and creamy.
There was a Saturday where my beloved and I sat down and ordered
hot drinks and a pandan swiss roll at
I tea.
Knowing that we would not be able to finish the whole
swiss roll, I asked whether we could pay for the whole swiss roll but just eat
two slices of it at the café and take home the remaining portion. They told us
it wasn’t a problem at all and we happily had our fill.
To our surprise when we were about to go home, the owners
gave us a brand new swiss roll instead of the original half!
Again it reminded me of Malaysian kinship and generosity.
So I told my Irish friends about the shop and every time I’m in Limerick , I will surely pop by the
shop. I guess it is the Malaysian in me who wants to see another Malaysian
succeed, just like my Japanese friends who will only buy Japanese products
wherever they are.
It is amazing how a country is defined by its culture and
its people. It is the little things that we hold dear like the politeness,
friendliness and generosity that continue to live in us wherever we are. We may
take such things for granted. But when we are in a foreign place, and we meet
other people from the country that we originate from, and they treat you so
well, a feeling of pride and unity wells up within.
These little touches make all the difference.
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