Empower ECER cookery course participant changes her life for the better

KOTA BHARU, July 7 -- Passion for cooking and perseverance has changed the life of an Empower East Coast Economic Region (Empower ECER) cookery course participant now that she is capable of preparing and selling over 50 different types of food.

Roshayati Shamsuddin, 47, said she applied what she had learned in the 30-module ECER Empower Ketereh cookery course that she attended for six months to make and sell various kuih, cakes, pastries, savoury dishes and ‘bilis’ (anchovy) finger chips.

“Previously, I was only selling banana fritters in Ketereh for two years and earned about RM700 a month. Now, after attending the course offered by Empower ECER Ketereh, I could practise the skills I have acquired and sell my products both offline and online.

“Alhamdulillah, I have succeeded. We have to be diligent by always attending to customers' requests and constantly improving our cooking methods over time,” she said when met at her house in Taman Desa Mustakim, Padang Raja Melor, here, today.

She said her daily routine of cooking and marketing her products had become lighter with the help of her husband, Ahmed Lokman Umar, 49, an-serviceman.

Roshayati, who markets her products under the brand of ‘Cik Tiey Homemade’, is now earning an average of RM2,000 per month to support their four children aged 11 to 23.

“I also promote my food products by preparing these for my neighbours and we eat together at the lawn with a paddy field view. Then, they also help promote my products that my kuih talam, for example, has reached other states and Singapore.

“Among my products that are always in high demand is the crunchy anchovy finger chips, while my muffins of various flavours are frequently ordered for occasions like wedding feasts. I am very thankful that during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period from March until the current Recovery MCO, the orders have tripled,” she said.

Meanwhile, Empower ECER-Malaysia Social Development Organisation (PKSM) programme director, Surain Kanda said Roshayati was a participant of the Empower 2016-Celebrity Chef Programme and later through an Entrepreneur Development Course, was among 20 participants selected to expand their business.

“Her initiative to learn and self-improve is much admired, for instance, she was willing to become a trainee helper for new trainees in the course. From there, she was seen as an independent person who could build her business network and promote her products,” he added.

-- BERNAMA