TUTONG

SENIORS citizens were given the opportunity to showcase their domestic talents through assortments of food dishes and artwork displays during the household competition and exhibition event in celebration for His Majesty’s 68th birthday at Seri Kenangan Hall in Tutong yesterday.

As an avid participant of the event, Hjh Nafsiah Hj Abd Latif, who came in third, told The Brunei Times that winning has never been her objective for joining the competition.

“I have joined all categories every year and on my part, I just enjoy the excitement the event brings annually such as buying the food ingredients, planning the dishes to cook and the decoration for flower arrangements”.

She added that participants of the event generally already knew each other, so winning or losing is not important.

The audiences were entertained with colourful displays of fresh flowers, fruits and fabric arrangements, as well as delectable Malay dishes exhibited under 18 categories.

“Each category is judged based on neatness, presentations of all artworks and plating of foods,” said the chairperson of the event, Hjh Asmah Hj Mohammad, adding that taste is also part of the assessment for all food dishes.

She said that this year, ‘Spontaneous Ketupat-Making Challenge’ was introduced as part of the programme, emphasising the importance of “preserving the Malay tradition and not allowing the knowledge to die out”.

A youth category was opened for registration this year, but unfortunately none seemed interested to take part, continued the chairperson.

She hoped next year they will have the chance to observe youth’s participation, as the event this year has seen a drop in number of applicants from its usual number.

Hjh Noyah, one of the senior citizens who did not participate in the competition, was present yesterday to promote her homemade products.

“I have been doing this for years now; I will make sasagun, bahulu as well as traditional cakes to sell in the capital and to event such as these.”

The Tutong Pertiwi Association has been providing opportunities for home business owners, such as people like Hjh Noyah, for them to sell their homemade food.

The event was organised by the association and Norafidah Ahad, the district officer’s wife, attended the event as guest of honour.

In the Overall category, the winner was Hjh Halinah Hj Mahadi, while second place was claimed by Halimah Abd Wahid.

The Brunei Times