Sunday, January 31, 2021 15 Reports by Ailyn Agonia For events and press releases email [email protected] or Ailyn Agonia ASEAN Kaleidoscope Ailyn Agonia call (974) 4000 2222 Ailyn Agonia I love to cook and I love to eat! I love to buy things that I use for cooking. Whenever you are visiting a new place, always try to get the local food. Ambassador Hassan with wife Madame Lita Kadartin Hassan. In his spare time, mostly on THE NEW DIPLOMAT weekends, the envoy IN TOWN IS A FOODIE! keeps himself busy in the kitchen. He THE NEW also loves dining out with his family to try out DIPLOMAT local food IN TOWN IS A Ambassador of Indonesia to Qatar HE Ridwan Hassan cooks nasi goreng. keeping up with the mod- Dubai He described those as- NDONESIA’S ern times.” signments as critical postings newly appoint- A happy family man with for his country and important ed Ambassador three children, throughout for his professional and per- to Qatar HE Rid- our conversation, the Am- sonal growth. Iwan Hassan is not just pas- bassador stressed the impor- “With those experiences sionate about his mission of FOODIE tance of family time. In fact, of being assigned in major representing his country and his wife Madame Lita Kadar- cities and hubs, now I am community but also a self- tin and their children invited here and I am happy because confessed foodie. me to the family lunch as part I can witness the progress In his spare time, most- of my education on authentic and resilience of Qatar,” the ly on weekends, he keeps Indonesian cuisine courtesy envoy remarked. himself busy in the kitchen of the Ambassador. A foodie, a family man whipping up some of his fa- The envoy said spending and a well-rounded diplo- vourite comfort foods. He quality time with his family is mat. What else is there to also loves dining out with important while attending know about the new diplomat his family to try out lo- to his responsibilities as a in town? Over some of his cal food which, the envoy government employee and favourite Indonesian dishes said, is the best way to social responsibility to his dadar gulung (Indonesian get the real feel of a new community. Authentic Indonesian dishes nasi goreng, tempe mendoan, gado-gado coconut pancake), gado- environment. A typical day for him, and pepes tahu. gado (Indonesian salad with “I love to cook and I he added, starts with peanut sauce), pepes tahu love to eat! I love to buy praying together with sectors in this country. We traditional market you get (spiced steamed tofu cooked things that I use for cook- his wife and children. are all Ambassadors of our to see and deal with people in banana leaves) and tem- ing. Whenever you are vis- He said, “These teach- country. We have to work to- from different segments, eth- pe mendoan (fried battered iting a new place, always try ings are not only from gether side-by-side support- nic groups and background. tempe), Ambassador Hassan to get the local food,” said my own, I got this from ing each other so we can con- When I was a student, I be- animatedly shared his inter- Ambassador Hassan who as- my tradition. As a Muslim, tribute to our lovely country longed to one organisation est in collecting small me- sumed his duties at the Em- we pray together as a family as well as positively contrib- as a student activist. These mentos, mostly small-sized bassy in November. to start our day. After that, we ute to our host country.” are interesting experiences glasses, from different cities During this journalist’s Dadar gulung is a traditional Indonesian dessert consisting of a thin try to have breakfast together. The Indonesian diplo- that were very helpful when I he visits. He said his huge interview with the Ambassa- rice flour crêpe that is filled with grated coconut. Then I proceed with my sched- mat describes himself as an joined the Ministry of Foreign collection is kept safely in dor at his residence, he not ule for the day which includes extrovert, a character trait Affairs in 1987. I was already their house in Jakarta. only warmly welcomed the to your liking. You can add to know the new city he lives meeting people and working which he said is essential in accustomed to seeing people, Not known to many, the scribe home but he also en- up your choice of meat or in. Since arriving in Qatar, he with my staff. I don’t consider his line of work and has been meeting people and getting envoy speaks Spanish as thusiastically demonstrated vegetables. I am not the type and his family have visited a those who are working with at the core of his beautiful together both from social and his second foreign language how he cooks nasi goreng of person who opts for com- number of famous landmarks me at the Embassy as just my diplomatic career spanning economic perspectives.” and knows very basic Arabic (Indonesian stir-fried rice). plicated recipes. I cook very including the National Mu- staff, they are my partners. At more than 33 years. He said Further on his diplomat which he hopes to improve Nasi goreng, he said, simple dishes. I also like to seum of Qatar, the Museum work, I always see things in because of his exposure and career, Ambassador Hassan while in Qatar. much like the exciting diver- cook meals using what’s in the of Islamic of Art and Souq two approaches: First, we are interest in being around peo- described his overseas as- He is a fan of the film sity Indonesia is known for, fridge. But if I don’t have time Waqif. They have also been here because we are working ple from all walks of life, pur- signments as a “complete pic- “Titanic” and used to play comes in many variations. His to cook, I just tell my wife or outside Doha exploring Al in the Embassy. Second, we are suing a career in diplomacy ture” highlighted with many basketball but now engages version of one of the all-time those helping us in the kitchen Khor and Al Wakra. brothers and sisters and work- came naturally to him. personal milestones. He got more in walking exercise to great comfort foods consists what food to prepare or ingre- When asked about his fa- ing as partners.” “I was born in South Su- to experience the Latin Amer- keep him fit and active. of basic ingredients includ- dients to use,” the envoy said. vourite place in Qatar so far, He also added, “Working matra in Palembang which ican culture in Colombia as And while he recognises ing sweet soy sauce, which he After letting me try his he said, “It’s hard to say. I with the community is also is considered as one of the his first posting. And towards the importance of social me- said is unique to his country, version of nasi goreng, which love cultural related activi- very important for the Em- oldest towns in Indonesia. the end of his posting there, dia nowadays, the diplomat and a dash of chili sauce he I truly enjoyed, the envoy ties, history and legacy and bassy. I told the members of During my childhood, I got he decided to start a family. said he mostly let his staff to fondly called a “secret ingre- went on to talk about his I also enjoy the modernity. our community that I am one the chance to be trained in During his posting in Tokyo, look after the social media dient” that gives the beloved other personal preferences. I think Qatar is one of the of them. I am a member of the traditional market be- the couple were blessed with platforms of the Embassy. For dish its signature heat! Aside from cooking, Am- countries which is good in the community who is work- cause my family background twins, two girls. It was fol- now, he added, being on What- “Nasi goreng is a basic bassador Hassan said he preserving its cultural back- ing at the Embassy just like are merchants. It was a very lowed by postings in Wash- sApp is more than enough for recipe which you can modify spends his spare time getting ground at the same time they are working in different good training because in a ington DC, Singapore and him to handle. Filipina wins cake bake off competition MEE Rose Resultan, a pride ties from Pakistan, India, Sri of the baking community Lanka, the UK, Holland, the Iamong Filipinos in Qatar, USA, the Philippines, Jordan, bagged the top prize in the Lebanon, Germany, Egypt, recently concluded interna- Iraq and Saudi Arabia. tional cake bake off competi- Some 25 participants tion held at The Pearl Qatar- made it to the final round of White Palace Banquet Hall. which eight were chosen as The event billed ‘The Great winners top-billed by Resul- Hollandi’s Bake Off Qatar Sea- tan as the Grand Champion. son 2’ saw the participation The second runner-up of around 70 baking recognition went to another enthusiasts from talented baker from the Phil- 13 different ippines, Faye Gongora Wani- nationali- wan, while Sana Nazakat Raja from Pakistan received The second place cake entry. the third-runner up award. The top three winners Imee Rose Resultan receives the grand champion award. received cash prizes, trophies, mudez in 7th place and Indian structor at the DOLE OWWA certificates and other excit- national Shabnam Altaf in the - Culinary Training Pro- ing gifts.