Raised differently, united by food: The couple making Singapore food heritage part of everyday life

Anugerah Murni Sabta and Aqid Aiman Azmi, a married couple from Singapore, have made it their mission to preserve and promote Singapore's rich food heritage through their platform, Sendok Rakyat. The term "Sendok Rakyat" translates to "the people's ladle," symbolizing their inclusive approach to food heritage.

Anugerah and Aqid met in 2022 and bonded over their shared passion for local food. Their Instagram food diary grew into a platform that encourages participants to learn about food heritage through shared stories and everyday cooking. They believe that food is a powerful medium to explore conversations about identity, belonging, and what it means to be Singaporean today.

The couple runs workshops, walks, and gatherings at various community spaces, such as Wisma Geylang Serai, Chong Pang Market, and Proud Spaces. They also collaborate with organizations like Singapore HeritageFest, National Heritage Board, and ArtsWok. At their nasi ulam workshop, participants learn about the ingredients used in the traditional Southeast Asian herbal rice dish, including kemangi, Thai basil, mint, coriander, kaffir lime leaf, daun kaduk, and bunga kantan.

They discuss the significance of these ingredients and share personal experiences connected to them.

Anugerah, who grew up in a transitional shelter, had limited access to fresh ingredients and often relied on canned or cheap ingredients. Despite this, she found comfort in preparing traditional Malay dishes for her family and baking treats. She now sees traditional cooking as a way to reclaim her story and feel proud of her upbringing.

Similarly, Aqid, who appreciates the emotional and meaningful aspects of food, believes that food brings people together and sparks deep conversations about who we are and how we relate to each other.