KUALA LUMPUR: Award-winning director Bernard Chauly, who gave Malaysians popular movies as Gol & Gincu and Pisau Cukur, is a master of not only the camera but also the kitchen.
Chauly, 47, recently graduated as a chef from Ashburton Cookery School in the United Kingdom, and is set to turn his second passion into a new profession.
He shared the good news with Netizens on Facebook today, with a photo of him wearing his chef uniform and rejoicing outside the culinary institution.
In the caption to his photo, Chauly said: "I've been studying in the UK twice in the last 20 years.
"In 2000, I graduated from the University of London with a masters degree in writing and directing on a Chevening Scholarship.
"After that I had 20 fulfilling years as a director and a body of work that I'm proud of."
Chauly added that early this year, he chose to do something different by fulfilling another of his dreams.
"I asked myself, 'Bernard, could you live with yourself if you never made another film?' and my answer was a definitive 'yes'.
"So with the support of my loved ones, I enrolled in Ashburton to take on a certificate in culinary arts."
Describing his experience as a dream, Chauly said that he was amazed at the measures taken to keep students safe from the Covid-19 menace, and he had the privilege of experiencing the best of British education again.
"In 2000, I graduated with skills to start a lifelong journey as a film director. In 2020, I graduated with skills to start the next phase of my life as a chef."
Chauly revealed that he would be starting a food business with his friend Fiza Yusof, and vowed to "cook as if his life dependend on it".
"I've had my fair share of good days and bad, chocolate rolls that fell apart and raspberry mousse that set perfectly. Smile on, fall upwards!".
Despite becoming a chef, Chauly said that he would still make films when the time was right.
"I know I would make another film when the circumstances are right and offers start coming again."
Chauly's friends in showbiz congratulated him on his achievement.
"Tahniah Chef Bernard Chauly!" said veteran actress Fauziah Nawi.
"Congratulations! I'm all for filmmaker chefs," said filmmaker Ineza Roussille.
A Netizen Sasha Leong said: "Woohoo! Congratulations, Chef Bernard! Cheers to the next chapter."
Chauly's other well-known films include Goodbye Boys and Manisnya Cinta Di Cappadoccia.