Celebrate Gawai Dayak Through A Sarawak Food Journey

KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 (Bernama) -- Motivated by the love for her home state, a Sarawakian entrepreneur has decided to showcase some of the state’s most delicious dishes during the Gawai Dayak celebrations this year.

Adeline Tang, chief executive officer of Freshable, a meal kit services company, wants to share the uniqueness of Sarawak cuisine with other Malaysians and let them understand what it is like to be Sarawakian through a personal culinary journey in their own kitchens.

“Sarawak is a great place, and it’s a shame that many people know so little about what it’s like over there, the place, the diversity of people, and of course, the rich and vibrant food!

“I have so many great childhood memories of enjoying Sarawakian delicacies like Ayam Pansoh and Ka Chan Ma with my family and friends and that’s the experience I want to share with everyone this Gawai Dayak,” she told Bernama here recently, noting that even Gawai Dayak was not quite well understood by non-Sarawakians, especially those in Peninsular Malaysia.

“I’ve met people who think that it’s just a tribal event, limited only to the Dayak, a time to dress up in traditional costumes and put on an exotic show.

“The truth is very different; it’s a celebration of life. The entire Sarawak community comes together and celebrates with great food and gives thanks for what we all have been given,” she said.

That is why Tang chose to use the startup she founded last year to promote not only Sarawak dishes, but also ingredients unique to the state.

“For this Dayak Gawai, we have prepared ready-to-cook meal kits for anyone who wishes to try to cook up a great Sarawakian meal. We had some of the ingredients specially brought in from Sarawak, like the Sarawak laksa paste, belacan and other spices and herbs,” she said, adding that Freshable meal kits come with simple step-by-step recipe cards that make cooking easy, even for beginners.

“It is my sincere hope that my little effort will help spread joy this Gawai Dayak, and help spread word about the many lovely things my home state has offer.

“Since it will be Gawai Dayak tomorrow, let me wish everyone, gayu-guru, gerai-nyamai, lantang-senang nguan menua (live long, healthy and comfortable life),” she added.

The Gawai Dayak menu will be available until June 30 as a limited time offering on the Freshable website, www.freshable.co.

-- BERNAMA