Shuryani reveals her favourite dishes
Published on: Sunday, August 25, 2019
KOTA KINABALU: The cookbook “Curry Leaves” featuring the favourite recipes of the Chief Minister’s wife, Datin Seri Panglima Shuryani Datuk Shuaib combines her cooking talent with the presentation skills of photographer, Amri Ginang, a long-time friend.Shuryani’s work was captured using natural lighting, so that it arouses the interest and taste buds of anyone who looks at the dishes.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Capturing the food in pictures was a challenge,” said Amri, a commercial photographer who does work for renowned brands.
“Of course the experience of working with her was different, because she is not like your ordinary chef. She’s a friend of mine and most importantly, the wife of the Chief Minister.
“But this book is due to her interest in cooking. I felt relieved because she allowed me to capture the photos according to my creativity.”
He said, Shuryani had been a friend since small and that she loved to cook. Her favourite dish is none other than Fish Head Curry.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Whenever she cooked for her family and friends, they would ask when she would share her recipes. They would suggest that she come up with a recipe book.
“When she showed interest in doing so, I suggested a simple book whereby the photographs are taken while she is cooking in the kitchen and not in the studio.
ADVERTISEMENT
“What is interesting is, she liked to do everything herself, from finding the raw materials in the market until cutting everything especially onions because she is quite picky in choosing the ingredients and prioritises perfectness in cooking,” said Amri.
The whole process took six months, but the launch was delayed although the book was ready two years ago.
“She would call me when she intends to cook a particular dish.
“I took the pictures impromptu, without any lighting and when I saw something interesting, I would straight away capture the moment,” he said.
There was an occasion when he fell on his back.
“There were three of us in the kitchen and she was preparing four types of menu.
“I was helping Datin Seri to cook and fell as the floor was wet.
“Thankfully, there was no serious injury and we continued cooking and capturing photographs. For me it was a special experience,” he said.
“This book is unique as it reflects the personality and interest of Datin Seri towards cooking. What’s more, it was her own selection and the dishes that she cooked are the fruits of her labour.
“She had no intention to commercialise her recipes, because some of them are her favourites.
“Hence, I hope there will be understanding from the readers and the summary on the way Datin Seri produces the cooking as well as her affectionate feelings that she decided to reveal in cooking Malay cuisine,” he said.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
