Khairunnisa Mohamad Abdullah

Malay Cooking Method Terminologies: Understanding and Usage

There are numerous methods of cooking terminologies that are used in Malay cooking that consist of dry and moist methods. However, although Malay culinary is very rich in terminologies, some of them are disappearing. The probability of these terminologies will become extinct when the older generation dies and it will no longer be spoken or known by anyone. However, this phenomenon occurs not only among the ordinary youngsters, but it also goes to young professional chefs and culinarians. Therefore, this study empirically investigates the level of understanding of Malay cooking method terminologies and its impact to the usage among the young Malay culinarians in their daily cooking activities. This study used a quantitative approach, and respondents were among the young Malay culinarians who are working directly in food industries within the Kelang Valley, Malaysia. The results from descriptive and multiple regression analyses revealed that the majority of the respondents have a relatively poor understanding on Malay cooking method terminologies. The finding further proved that the respondents only use a few Malay cooking method terminologies in their daily cooking activities. In this sense, transferring the Malay food terminologies and knowledge from generation to generations is the effective way in achieving its preservation. The more Malay food terminologies are understood, the better people will be able to communicate and use it in their daily lives and at the same time will be able to sustain and constantly use the terminologies in the next future.