Traditional Nyonya cuisine fires up a business with a big heart

WHETHER  you are time poor during the week or love to eat takeaway, Christina’s Gourmet Dinners might just be your answer when it comes to a home-cooked meal with a bit of spice and loads of community spirit.

Kellyville Ridge homepreneurs Christina Wee and Olivia Chong of Christina’s Gourmet Dinner

WHETHER  you are time poor during the week or love to eat takeaway, Christina’s Gourmet Dinners might just be your answer when it comes to a home-cooked meal with a bit of spice and loads of community spirit.

Kellyville Ridge mother-and-daughter duo, Christina Wee and Olivia Chong run a home-based gourmet catering and dinner service for the local community.

Chef and founder Mrs Wee is a fulltime nurse whose love of cooking inspired her to start the dinner and catering business.

“I come from Nyonya heritage which dates back to the intermarriage between Chinese immigrants and local Malays in the 16th century,” Mrs Wee said.

Curry puffs

“The Nyonya cuisine is about traditional family recipes that have been passed on for generations, along with stories of the people who cooked them with love and passion.’’

Mrs Chong, a mother of two, Ethan 3, and Esmeralda, 8 months, said Nyonya cuisine is based on a traditional laksa and sambal paste.

“We offer catering for any event, a weekly dinner service on a Thursday night only, where people can check out our menu which is posted on our website and Facebook the Monday prior and we also do live cooking on-site.

“We are also very community minded and so we always cook that little bit extra to give to people in need in the community.”

Lemak Laksa

They have started a social enterprise project ‒ Food for Mission to help families in the community struggling with health, finances and other difficulties in life.

“To date, this project has fed over 15 families in need with over 35 meals,” said Mrs Chong.

Details: Facebook.com/Christina’s Gourmet Dinner or christinasgourmet.yolasite.com