Chef Imelda’s recipe for turning skills into opportunity

Chef Imelda Harris, a former MasterChef Malaysia contestant and food consultant, believes that the culinary skills honed at home can be transformed into a thriving small business for women, particularly homemakers, single mothers, and those from lower-income households. Imelda, who was born in Sarawak, emphasizes that turning cooking skills into a source of income is not reserved for those with expensive equipment, large spaces, or substantial capital.

She encourages women to recognize the potential in their existing kitchen skills and offers training to help them generate income at home. With more than a thousand women mentored through the Armed Forces Family Welfare Association, Imelda has seen firsthand how practical training in costing, preparation, and small-scale food production can instill confidence in women to earn independently.

Imelda's approach to food businesses is accessible and practical. She points out that cooking is already a daily activity for many families, making it easier for women to start with the skills they already possess. The challenge lies in acknowledging the value of these skills and learning how to convert them into a sustainable business venture.

In addition to her culinary work, Imelda is also focused on empowering rural schoolchildren, especially in Sarawak, by fostering their confidence as they transition to new academic environments. She believes that opportunity often begins with the belief that one's existing skills have value. For those interested in starting a home-based food business, Imelda advises taking the first step without waiting for everything to be perfect.

"You cannot say no until you have tried. Do not be afraid to take that first step because if an attempt does not work out, it does not mean that we have failed forever."