september, 2019 | The Health
exclusive
Staying true to his roots. Restoran Rebung by Dato Chef Ismail features a wide array of
Malay cuisine.
“I couldn’t bear seeing my son eating from the
container. When you eat from the styrofoam,
the heat emitted by the food melts the wax,
making the food poisonous. So, you’re essen-
tially eating chemicals. It’s worst when the
vendor has bad hygienic practice,” he says in
a stern manner.
The chef explains that a bowl of rice signi-
fies love. “I believe that you receive everything
from a bowl of rice. There’s vitamins and min-
erals, a good lifestyle, and more importantly;
love. That, my dear, is one of many ways to
convey your feelings, to show that you care
for their wellbeing. I’m sure each one of you
remember being served a plate or a bowl of
rice by someone who loves you.”
The award-winning chef believes that
health and happiness should come together.
“We are humans my dear, it’s okay to be
tempted by the things we love sometimes. I
do enjoy the occasional banana fritters every
now and then but I keep it in moderation.” He
questions the purpose of being healthy if the
person is unhappy.
The nature of food business
The chef believes that a healthier nation
can be built if the cook sells healthy food to
their customers. “Some food vendors only
care about making money. I’m not like that.
I care about the customers of my restaurant.
Humans can afford to pay for their health.
That’s why I would never use styrofoam for
my restaurant’s take-away container. These
foams are carcinogenic and there should be
no excuses as to why vendors should even
consider using these containers for take-away
foods,” he explains in a fiery passion.
Love for his son
“I always worry about where my son gets his
nutrients from. After all, we are what we eat.
That’s why I always prepare my son’s meal in
a lunchbox. It puts my mind at ease knowing
the person I love is safe from the harmful
practices of money-hungry vendors out there,”
he claims. “I’m not saying that every vendor is
like that but in the modern age where money
comes first, I can’t help but to worry,” he adds.
Talking to Chef Ismail teaches us that
food is not just the spiritual aspect of what
we eat can affect our overall wellbeing. He
claims, “Healthy cooking doesn’t require
grade-A ingredients. All home-cooked foods
are healthy to me. Spending time preparing a
meal is good for both sides; the consumers and
the cook. For me, it’s therapeutic. It helps me
relax knowing that my son is consuming safe,
hygienic food. That, I believe is why home-
cooked meals will always be better than the
so-called superfood and the likes of it.”
Staying healthy by being happy
“I’m at the ‘young’ age of 59 now,” he says jok-
ingly. “And I need a place where I can call my
own. I always go back to my kampung where
I have some ducks and geese waiting for me.
It becomes my sanctuary – a destination I
can look forward to. That is the secret of my
healthy life,” he explains.
Smiling, he asks, “Do you know that your
parents will never stop worrying about you?
They can be a little stubborn but they will
always worry about you. They care about what
you eat, and if you’re eating enough. Because
like I said – you are what you eat. The first
thing they would ask you when you visit them
will always be ‘have you eaten?’ and being a
parent, I understand the sentiment now.” —
The Health
Meeting the chef was
a delight as he treats
you like family.
Healthy cooking
doesn’t require
grade-A ingredients.
All home cooked
foods are healthy to
me. Spending time
preparing a meal is
good for both sides;
the consumers and
the cook. For me, it’s
therapeutic. It helps me
relax knowing that my
son is consuming safe,
hygienic food."
– Chef Ismail
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