The impact of my three months attachment in 2010 with Petro Rabigh in Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia has made me fall in love with Arabic food. Even though, I have performed pilgrimage for umrah and hajj several times in Makkah but Malaysian and Indonesian Chefs catered the daily food for breakfast, lunch & dinner. It was different during my stint with Petro Rabigh, in order to survive I have to love and eat my daily meals prepared by the Arabic Chefs.
I was assigned to serve the Training & Development Department of Petro Rabigh headquarters with its main operations being a large, highly integrated refining and petrochemical complex. It has an employee count within the range of 3,000 to 3,500 workforce then, mostly oil and gas technical personnel. My work experience with HR Division of PETRONAS Group, especially Carigali & Malaysia Airlines Academy facilitated with this Rabigh's assignments.
I learned the Arabic culture values togetherness and generosity, so meals are shared among families and friends. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are shared moments, not quick breaks. Family meals allow everyone to connect, talk, and enjoy the feeling of unity. Parents teach their children the importance of offering food to others, reinforcing the value of care and respect. Cooking is often a family tradition activity, especially during Ramadan & Eid festivals.
I found Arabic cuisine is popular for its flavorful stews and mild curries. I like its fragrant spices, slow-cooked meats, freshly naked bread, and vibrant dips. Even in Malaysia, the Middle Eastern cuisine is a culinary journey that tells the story of centuries-old traditions, diverse cultures, and warm hospitality. In Cyberjaya, my family & I go for the best cuisines like Meat Kabab, Chicken Kabab and Mandi rice with lamb. The spices like ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and when used in suitable quantities, aid the body's metabolic process. I realize that some of them also help cure problems like inflammation and constipation. (Instagram>mansourshawarma_and_restaurant's<)
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