A secret sambal recipe and the ex-offender who must win a hawker’s trust as her apprentice

Roziah Adon, a 66-year-old hawker, had kept her secret sambal recipe hidden for decades. When she met Shaly Farid, an ex-offender looking to rebuild his life, she agreed to mentor him in exchange for his commitment to master her culinary techniques. Shaly, who had spent over half his life in prison for various crimes, struggled with anxiety due to his past incarceration.

He started his apprenticeship at Nur Indah Kitchen, but left after three weeks, overwhelmed by the demands of the job and the expectations placed on him. Roziah, who has mentored over 10 apprentices, accepted Shaly back as her apprentice but insisted on seeing him through the entire program. Training began with the presentation of dishes, as Roziah knew that a visually appealing plate would stimulate customers' appetites.

As Shaly progressed, he adapted well to Roziah's rigorous schedule, and she praised his ability to learn quickly. Despite his initial setback, Shaly returned and apologised for his anxiety, which Roziah encouraged him to manage with medication. By the end of the program, they had completed 70 per cent of the training.