18-05-2025
Unaware judges award top prize to Tunku Azizah's homemade fruit pickle
KUALA LUMPUR: Judges at a fruit pickle cooking competition were left in sheer disbelief when they discovered that one of the dishes they had evaluated was prepared by none other than Tengku Ampuan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.
Among the panel of judges was 74-year-old Siti Rokiah Lebai Rahmat, a respected former culinary instructor with 39 years of judging experience.
She recalled her astonishment when the winning dish, submitted under the name "Aminah Mahmood", was revealed to have been crafted by Tunku Azizah herself.
"Neither I nor any of the judges or participants knew the dish belonged to Tunku Azizah.
"All contestants were required to prepare their dishes at home and present them for judging solely based on taste and creativity," she said in a statement shared on the Kesultanan Pahang Facebook page.
Siti Rokiah explained that the panel selected "Aminah Mahmood's" fruit pickle for its exceptional flavour and perfect balanced ingredients.
"It wasn't oily, and the gravy was rich with fruit and spices. It's the first time I've tasted a fruit pickle so flavourful, balanced, and complete," she added.
The competition was part of the Pahang Women's Institute (WI) Carnival held at Taman Tasik Maran.
Tunku Azizah attended the carnival after chairing the Pahang WI Annual General Meeting at Dewan Jubli Perak.
Also present was Che Puan Panglima Puteri Suraiya Afzan Mohammed Moizz.
