raditions and customs act as the fabric of human civilization, weaving together the threads of history, culture and human experience into a mosaic that spans generations.
They are the rituals and practices that define us, grounding us while connecting us to our ancestors and their stories.
In Malay culture, we are familiar with the concept of "ziarah" (Visit)
It holds a special place, the beautiful practice of visiting one another.
Through "ziarah," communities are knit closer, fostering a sense of belonging. An occasion where friends and family open their doors, reinforcing social ties
In this episode, a flashback to Ramadan, 2023.
The iftar soiree was a delightful twist by adopting the potluck tradition, where each brings their own dish to share with everyone.
The mantra was clear: feast with your eyes first! The plating game was on point, turning the table into a gallery of culinary art.
It was a spectacle of colours, textures, and aromas, where every dish vied for the spotlight, and oh, did they shine!
First up, the main stage featured the trinity of taste. Nasi Daging, a fragrant symphony of spices and tender meat. Roasted Chicken, golden and glistening, promising crispy skin and succulent flesh. Grilled Veggies, charred to perfection, their smokiness teasing the senses.
Then came the potluck parade, a cavalcade of flavours.
Shade's Taco Platter & Nachos, a fiesta on a plate.
YH's mocktail drinks, concoctions that sparkled brighter than the evening star.
CheRa's Aglio Olio Pasta & Choux Puff, twirling on the fork and puffing with pride.
Farah's Chili Butter Clam & Mantau, a duo that danced spicy and savoury, with mantou buns ready to take the plunge.
Feyy's Apple & Peach Strudel, slices of heaven dusted with sugar, crisp and tender.
Alip's Butter Cake, a golden loaf of simplicity and bliss.
Emi's Grilled Steak, seared stories of flavour, juicy tales on a plate.
Ida's assortment of Pastries, a collection of buttery, flaky treasures.
Nora's Charcuterie, a mosaic of meats and cheeses, a masterpiece of munch.
Mira's Fruits Cheese Tart, a melody of creamy and fruity notes.
Mine was? A Fruits Platter, a rainbow harvest, fresh and jubilant.
And oh, let's not forget Nora's showstopper - mango panna cotta, served in individual cups, adding a sweet, creamy finale to our feast.
It was an exhibition, a celebration of creativity and camaraderie. As we moved from dish to dish, the stories behind each plating added layers to our feast.
The commitment holds more than just bringing a plate on the table. Obviously, the sartorial. That evening, a clothing collection donning in shades of nude.
A colour palette, encompassing a spectrum from the lightest beiges to the deepest browns, an experience embedded with aesthetics and insta-worthy.
The air buzzed with excitement for the charades game that lay ahead. Plates? cleared. Furniture? Pushed aside.
The game kicked off with enthusiastic mime acts, wild guessing and bursts of laughter that filled the room.
It was a delightful chaos of wrong guesses, triumphant cheers, and the occasional good-natured dispute over the more obscure interpretations of movie titles, famous people and random items.
For each round passed, the line between the teams blurred making it less about winning and more about the joy.
As the last giggles from our charades settled.
Iftar spread was our headline but deep down it was the encores of laughter that stole the show.
If there were a button to rewind, you bet we'd be smashing it, not for the delicious bites (okay, maybe a little for the bites).
It's these nights, these bursts of shared hilarity, that we'll pull out of our memory banks, grinning ear to ear.
Sure, we came for the feast, but we stayed for the pure, undiluted joy of just being ridiculously human together. It's funny how we all need that, isn't it?
Because, in the end, that's the good stuff we're all here for.