A book on Culinary Delights Of Four Former Prime Ministers

obmar · Site Admin Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 5697

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June 26, 2007 23:36 PM

Culinary Delights Of Four Former Prime Ministers Compiled Into A Book

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- The favourite dishes of four former prime ministers will be compiled in a coffee table book that will be on sale to the public in November.

Entitled "Selera Perdana" (The Taste of Premiers), readers will get to know the culinary delights of Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Abdul Razak, Tun Hussein Onn and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The patron of the project, Tun Fatimah Hashim, said the book, authored by Datin Habibah Yahya and Fadillah Yakin, was based on Chef Safiah Mahmood's 20 years experience in supervising food preparation for the former prime ministers.

She said the book would also reveal the former premiers' daily routines and the way they entertained their guests at their official residence.

The first print run of the book to be priced at RM200 will be about 3,000 copies and proceeds from the sale will be donated to orphanages and to aid the educational needs of children of single mothers, Tun Fatimah said at the launch of the book here today.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil officiated the event at Bukit Pantai here.

Fatimah, 83, who became Malaysia's first woman minister after the country gained independence (she handled the Welfare portfolio), said that while Tunku Abdul Rahman liked roasted meat and prepared his own sambal belacan (chili paste), Tun Abdul Razak preferred traditional dishes like tomato rice and patin (local freshwater fish) curry.

On the other hand, Tun Hussein preferred Arabian dishes like Kelau rice (rice mixed with herbs, raisins, lime juice and eggs) and Beyh juice (a drink blended from herbs and cinnamon) while Tun Dr Mahathir loved spicy and gravy dishes such as Dal rice.

"The material for the book was researched for over one year by Habibah and Fadillah, who interviewed Safiah and the family members of the four former prime ministers," added Tun Fatimah.

-- BERNAMA

FrogDaddy · Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Vermont, US

Very interesting sounding book. Always an interesting read to see what our leaders and heads of state eat.

Sometimes, you can learn a lot about a person by what they eat Smile

. I'd like to see this book.
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obmar · Site Admin Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 5697

Thanks, FD.

I was told Mahathir had very simple likings.

mostly curry

The Inquisitor · Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 772

How interesting.

I'd be curious to see the culinary tastes of heads of state from around the world. Perhaps just their most favorite dish or two. I bet we'd see some bizarre recipes with that book.