MADINAH: If the subject matter is food, then Malaysian pilgrims have it really good.
A wide variety of delicacies — nasi lemak, rendang, tom yam and curry among them — are served daily here and in Mecca by our very own team from Tabung Haji Global Services.
One can only imagine the mammoth task to ensure that 22,000-odd hungry souls are fed twice a day.
Lunch and dinner come not just tasty and hot; they are prepared with strictest compliance and consultation with dieticians.
“Nutrition is equally important in food preparation,” said Tabung Haji Global Services chief executive officer Adly Mohamed, who is also the catering director of operations.
“We also focus on making the food more appetising by using ingredients that are colourful,” he said.
Hygiene is also paramount; with regular checks by the health authorities to ensure the food prepared adheres to the guidelines.
Adly said Tabung Haji Global Services, which has been operating for 18 years, also gave special treatment to Malaysian pilgrims, including preparing food to cater to those with food allergies.
Those with food allergies were advised to get a doctor’s certification on their condition.
Tabung Haji catering operations deputy director Badrul Hisham Shafie said Tabung Haji Global Services strived to improve its level of service and quality of food every year.
For the haj season, the company assembled a team of 32 chefs, 15 catering supervisors and 15 local helpers to run operations in Mecca and here. A typical day starts at 4am for the team.