When Abida Rasheed explains the speciality of Moplah food and the art and technicality involved in cooking these items, one cannot help but wish to master the culinary art. Now here is a chance for those cookaholics in the city who want to perfect their skills. The ‘Home Chef’, a training centre opened by Abida near St Joseph’s Girls High School, aims to take cooking to an all new level.
The name Abida Rasheed is not new to the avid food lovers of Malabar. An ambassador of Moplah food, Abida’s traditional Moplah dishes have won the hearts countless honchos who have visited the various Taj Group of hotels. Celebrity cooks from around the world still approach her to learn cook Moplah dishes.
Talking about Home Chef, Abida says, “Home Chef is a new term in the hotel industry. Most of the star hotels are employing home chefs as people are in search of homely tastes.”
The classes held at Home Chef are not the usual cookery classes one would find. They give training in every aspects of cooking and serving, from table etiquettes to the technical aspects involved in cooking. They also bring prominent cooks from leading hotels to teach cooking. “One can never really perfect his or her cooking by watching cookery shows on TV or by referring to recipes online. It is imperative that all the five organs should work while cooking,” says Abida.
With no professional training in cooking whatsoever, Abida mastered the art of cooking traditional Moplah food from her home at Thalassery. Hailing from an orthodox family, taking up cooking as a profession was a taboo for her. Her rise to fame through cooking was a twist of fate. After the Taj Group made her a part of their family, she also gained deep knowledge in industrial cooking.
Abida, who has worked hard to take Moplah food to international venues, proudly says, “Cooking is a must for every homemaker no matter what your profession is. So our classes here at Home Chef aim to popularise home-made food.” She goes on to add, “We are looking forward to raise the bar of culinary skills and also train people who want to make a living from cooking.” Those interested in being a part of Abida’s Home Chef to hone their culinary skills can contact her at 0495- 2766756 or 9562691501.
