Can you imagine what we would have to do if food was not provided in our school? We would probably have to bring food from home and miss out on all the freshly cooked meals. Without the canteen we would not be able to enjoy the food we eat every day during break and lunch.
However, do we really know what goes on behind the counter? Do we have any clue who cooks the delicious dishes that we look forward to every singleday?
The Young Journalists Club sat down with Mrs Chiam (the astute lady who prices your food) and found out!

YJC: How long have you been working here?
Mrs Chiam: It’s going to be twenty-one years. I’ve been working for Cempaka since 1986 in the previous school at Sri Cempaka Bukit Bintang.

YJC: After all these years, do you enjoy working here?
Mrs Chiam: Of course! I feel that the students are obedient. (Interesting.)

YJC: How did you come to work in Cempaka?
Mrs Chiam: Well, I was asked by Datin Freida to come here.

YJC: Were you working somewhere else before you worked here?
Mrs Chiam: At that time, I was working in the canteen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

YJC: Is this a family business?
Mrs Chiam: Yes. I have ten relatives working here as well.

YJC: Has your relationship between you and your family changed while you have worked here?
Mrs Chiam: Not at all! Actually, our relationship has gone stronger. We’ve become much closer.

YJC: Most students would like to know, how do you price the dishes?
Mrs Chiam: Prices charged for the food depend on the quantity and type of food selected.

YJC: Just out of curiosity, do you have any favourite customers?
Mrs Chiam: (Laughs) Since all of you give me money, I like all of you!

YJC: Have you ever planned to change the menu?
Mrs Chiam: I did try. However, if I introduce a new dish, the students might not like it. For example, last year, I cooked beef and only a handful of students enjoyed it.

YJC: So does that mean you won’t be introducing any new dishes this year?
Mrs Chiam: Currently, no. But you never know, I just might!

YJC: Out of all the dishes prepared, which one is the best-selling food?
Mrs Chiam: Mostly, all the fried snacks, especially the fish fingers and fried chicken. In a day, I probably have to fry about five to six trays of those snacks alone!

YJC: Is all of your food fresh?
Mrs Chiam: Yes, it is very fresh. We buy our groceries daily.

YJC: Where do you buy your groceries? Do you get any discount?
Mrs Chiam: Old Klang Road Market. We don’t really obtain any discounts; however, I do get a 3% discount from the Ayamas chicken.

YJC: At approximately what time do you arrive at school everyday?
Mrs Chiam: I wake up at around four o’clock, my husband and I go to the market at five o’clock and by the time we reach school it’s nearly six.

YJC: Do you do the cooking?
Mrs Chiam: Not really anymore. I mostly handle the students and the prices of the food. Mr Chiam does most of the cooking.

YJC: How long does it take to cook the food?
Mrs Chiam: About four hours.

YJC: And what time do you return home?
Mrs Chiam: At around four o’clock in the afternoon.

YJC: Wow, aren’t you tired?
Mrs Chiam: Sometimes. In the beginning it was worse, but after a while we got used to it.

YJC: Does the food get sold out by the end of the day?
Mrs Chiam: Most of the time, yes. If it doesn’t, I either give the leftovers to the workers or take them home to eat.

YJC: Do you reheat leftover food for the next day?
Mrs Chiam: No.

YJC: Have you ever planned to work somewhere else after all these years?
Mrs Chiam: No, because I have worked here for many years now and it has become a daily habit of mine to come and work here.

YJC: What do you think of the Cempakan environment?
Mrs Chiam: I think that it is very good. Everybody is so friendly. I really do enjoy it!

YJC: Why did you choose this path as a career?
Mrs Chiam: (Laughs) Cooking is something that I am good at, so I just took it as a random career!

YJC: So you’ve been doing this your whole life?
Mrs Chiam: Yes.

YJC: What do you do during your spare time?
Mrs Chiam: I try to rest to the fullest. During holidays I like to travel with friends.

YJC: Do you plan to retire any time soon?
Mrs Chiam: I’m not sure! Maybe in a few more years. However, I will if I fall terribly ill or become weaker.

YJC: Is this a profitable business?
Mrs Chiam: Even if I say no, none of you will believe me!

With this, we have now gotten to know the woman who puts an end to our hunger throughout the long periods in school. She not only fills our empty stomachs, she also makes classes a lot more bearable. Mrs Chiam, lady behind the chap fan table, we are entirely grateful to you.