By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Sept 15: For Voon Lee Kin, a 41-year-old single mother of five, creating perfect, succulent, and tantalising barbecue meats daily is what makes her dishes outstanding and delightfully enticing for her regulars and customers who patronise her stall.
Voon elaborated that it requires years of practice, and thanks to her ex-husband, she mastered her culinary skills over 18 years of marriage until their separation three years ago.
She told DayakDaily that she attributes her more than two decades of skills to observing her husband over the years, creating dishes she believes her customers enjoy.
As the single mother and her children are still schooling, Voon continues to provide for her family through her culinary skills at the YSC Food Court, located at 3 1/2 Miles, Jalan Datuk Amar Kalong Ningkan.
She is happy with her culinary trade and still serves her own version of succulent barbecue meats with rice at the eatery.
“I have no grudge against my husband. We both wanted to go our separate ways, but I was fortunate enough to have the culinary skills to make these dishes.
“I want to become an independent person and do well for my family. Life has to go on the best way I know,” she chuckled.
Voon said she is glad that many of her regulars commend her barbecue meats and help promote her dishes.
“On certain days, I get individual orders from customers to celebrate their special occasions. So, at those times, I will prepare more meat.”
She emphasised the use of fresh meat and correct portions in her barbecuing techniques.
“This is to save time, especially when you need to prepare the dishes daily for your business. I prepare the barbecue meats daily, starting at 4.30am, and my stall opens at 8.30am.”
Voon noted that despite the escalating prices of meat and ingredients, she tries to keep her menu competitive, selling items between RM7 and RM12.
“I offer pork, Chinese sausages, chicken, and duck on the menu. I also make a meat broth to go with the dishes I sell.”
She added that she ensures all her dishes are sold each day, and her stall may close as late as the afternoon.
“On certain days, I sell out quickly, as barbecue meats and rice are a local favourite. I serve quite a hefty meal, and my portions are generous,” she said with a smile.
She is also glad that her children help her out during weekends and school holidays.
Her 15-year-old son, Wilson Bong, who has acquired his mother’s skills, is proud of what she does and enjoys helping her.
Bong expressed his pride in his mother’s culinary skills, stating that their barbecue dishes are excellent and that he can replicate them with ease.
However, he emphasised the importance of his studies, acknowledging the uncertainty of the future.
“My mother gives me a good allowance, and I am a good helper and son,” he grinned.
Voon’s stall, called Barbecue Rice, operates daily from 8.30am to 4.00pm.
For more information, call 011-1401 5115. — DayakDaily
