Homemade Better Lah: Hawkr Home Chefs Uncovered ????

Hello reader! If you don't know who I am, hi! My name is Liyen and I'm the Founder & CEO (Chief "Eating" Officer) of Hawkr, a platform to discover the best homemade food in your neighborhood.

Welcome to Homemade Better Lah. I've decided to launch this article series on LinkedIn for 3 reasons:

1. Hawkr's main target customers are working professionals. Most of you hang out on LinkedIn anyway!
2. If you already know me, you'll know that I'm quite active on LinkedIn and many of you have asked me to post more Hawkr content. LinkedIn can often get too corporate-y and uptight so I hope to bring some lighthearted homeyness to your day.
3. Most importantly, my Hawkr teammates and I believe in showcasing and appreciating the people behind the food you eat. We live in a fast-paced world where the way we eat has become highly processed and productionized to the point where you don't know what goes into your food, let alone who makes your food.

With that, let's uncover the stories of Hawkr Home Chefs as we show you why homemade better lah!

Say hello to Bavani ??

To kick things off, say hello to Bavani! She's probably one of our most versatile home chefs who pays a lot of attention to the quality of ingredients. When Bavani cooks for you, you can rest assured that she'll never cheap out on your meal. Every ingredient matters because your meal matters a lot to her.

Aside from being a passionate home chef, she's also an awesome storyteller. I don't want to alter anything she has written because I appreciate her genuineness so much (Bavani, thank you for doing my job for me lol). So, I'm just going to paste it below!

Breaking Culinary Boundaries: A Malaysian Indian's Journey to Authentic Japanese Cuisine ??

I'm a Malaysian Indian with a passion for cooking that knows no cultural boundaries. Today, I'm stepping out of the shadows to challenge the notion that only certain ethnicities can master specific cuisines.

My love for cooking began in the 80s, watching my adventurous mother create fusion meals. She exposed me to a world of flavors - Japanese, Italian, Mediterranean, Western, Malay and Chinese - all with her unique twist. I grew up absorbing knowledge from cooking shows like Wok with Yen and Chef Wan, unknowingly laying the foundation for my future.

After losing my job as a salaryman, I ventured into the F&B world. I started with Keto meals, even obtaining a certification as a Keto nutritionist. As trends shifted, I tried my hand at healthy Indian cuisine, but faced unfair stereotypes about Indian food and people.

Undeterred, I explored Italian and Japanese cuisines. While authentic Italian dishes were a hard sell, my Japanese meals received rave reviews. This success came from my dedication to learning authentic techniques in Japan and using imported Japanese produce. However, fearing rejection, I hid my identity.

Today, I'm fighting all odds and revealing my true self. I'm a Malaysian Indian who creates authentic Japanese Bento, and I'm proud of it. I refuse to let stereotypes about how how I might smell or misconceptions about my culture define me or my culinary skills.

I aim to break down cultural taboos in the culinary world. Food should unite us, not divide us. By sharing my story and my food, I hope to promote cultural understanding and appreciation for diversity in cuisine.

I specialize in authentic Japanese Bento, crafted with techniques learned firsthand in Japan and made with air-flown Japanese ingredients. Each meal is a testament to the beauty of cross-cultural culinary expertise.

I invite you to experience the flavors of Japan through the hands of a Malaysian Indian chef. Let's challenge preconceptions together and celebrate the universal language of good food. Try my Bento and be part of a movement that values skill, passion, and authenticity over stereotypes.

Are you ready to embark on this culinary journey with me?

Want to try Bavani's homemade bento boxes? ??

• Bavani's menu changes every week so be sure to check every Sunday!
• No pork, no lard, no beef
• Available for lunch and dinner

Where we deliver: Klang Valley (except Klang, Sungai Buloh, Wangsa Maju, Sentul, Selayang)

If you're ready to embark on this culinary journey with her, you can:

1. Send me a DM on LinkedIn to place your order or ask questions,
2. Order directly from Hawkr,
3. Lazy to check Bavani's menu every week? Subscribe to our meal plan if you want meals delivered to your doorstep every day!

First time ordering from Hawkr, use HOMEMADEBETTER for RM4 OFF!