Unity Through Food: Malaysian Chefs Abroad Want You to Cook Up A Storm With Them

Food brings people together. We might be in a COVID-19 pandemic era but we can still connect through our mutual love of Malaysian food - we just have to be a bit more creative about it, says Jackie M, a Malaysian-born, Australian-based chef who founded Masters of Malaysian Cuisine (MOMC).

MOMC is a collective of eight Malaysian chefs based around the world. They have a goal - to serve restaurant quality, authentic Malaysian-inspired meals and to show people that they can do it in their own kitchens too.

“I'd been frustrated for years at the lack of knowledge about Malaysian food outside of Malaysia; where it's regularly confused with Thai, Indonesian or Indian food.

“I saw that a number of high-profile Malaysian chefs were actively promoting Malaysian food through their own platforms, and I had the idea that instead of everyone going it alone, we would be more effective if we worked together and mutually supported each other in this one goal,” says Jackie, who is also a cooking show host and culinary instructor.

According to Jackie, MOMC started when countries started implementing movement controls and lockdown, forcing restaurants to shut and chefs to stay home. She reached out to fellow Malaysian chef, Norman Musa, based in the Netherlands and soon, they started cooking up a storm with other Malaysian chefs around the world through live cooking demos on the cook-along channel.

“We have been able to reach a truly global audience by leveraging off of each other's followings, so we get viewers tune in from all over the world, including Australia, New Zealand, USA, UK, Germany, Dubai, Singapore and everywhere in between!” says Jackie.

Apart from Jackie and Musa, MOMC comprises of MasterChef Malaysia Judge Johari Edrus (Kuala Lumpur), Dave Murugaya (Kuala Lumpur), Pearly Kee (Penang), Rene Juefri (Dubai), Nora Haron (San Francisco) and Zaleha Olpin (Bristol) of MasterChef UK fame.

"We communicate via the WhatsApp group set up for our team so we're constantly in touch and updated on where everyone is at; we also run group Zoom meetings every fortnight where we make the big announcements, brainstorm ideas and discuss plans.

“We all have different skill sets and interests, so we delegate our tasks out accordingly. Zaleha runs our Instagram account, egan Chef Dave manages our Facebook page, I do the writing and editing (media releases, editorials, articles) and I also manage the live broadcasts. Norman is the creative genius who designs and compiles our eMags and other shareable content - everybody does his or her part to make this a success,” says Jackie.

The group broadcasts seven live cooking demos a month. Every month, they select a 'star ingredient" and the chefs would cook a dish using the ingredient based on a Malaysian recipe. In September, it’s all about pancakes or in the Malaysian style, apam balik and lempeng.

“It's heart-warming to see those who have never experienced Malaysian food or who've been stuck on how to do it properly, actually attempt the recipes we showcase, and to share their food photos on social media.” says Jackie.

What’s unique about MOMC is that the chefs will try to use as much Malaysian ingredients and spices in their dishes.

From the tangy, creamy Laksa to the nutritious stir-fried five-spiced tempeh, MOMC offers a modern take on Malaysian delights through straightforward, no fuss live cooking.

Now, isn’t that a yummy way to celebrate our Malaysian melting pot of food heritage!

Check out the group’s September highlights feautring chef Nora Haron and Chef Rene’s fluffy buttery Apam Balik and the silky Lempeng Pisang Kelapa.

The Food Comrades of Masters of Malaysian Cuisine are:

Jackie M. Restaurateur | TV Presenter | Street Food Coach – Sydney, Australia

Chef Johari Edrus MasterChef Malaysia Judge | Restaurateur – Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Chef Norman Musa Award-Winning Chef | Author |Tutor | TV Host – The Hague, The Netherlands

Zaleha Olpin MasterChef UK | Author – Bristol, United Kingdom

Pearly Kee Award-Winning Nyonya Cook – Penang, Malaysia

Chef Rene Juefri 5-star Hotel Executive Chef – Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Nora Haron Chef-Owner – Local Kitchen, Nora Haron & FYUB San Francisco, USA

Chef Dave Murugaya Vegan Chef | YouTube Viral Sensation Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

(Further details available at https://www.malaysianchefs.com/)