Taylor’s Celebrates Unity with a Record-Setting Nasi Lemak Gathering

SUBANG JAYA, Selangor — Taylor’s has set the Malaysia Book of Records with the Most Participants in a Nasi Lemak Breakfast Session in conjunction with the National and Malaysia Day celebrations.

(From left to right) Ms Cheryl Chee, Chief Financial Officer of Taylor's University, Mr Ben Foo Kian Beng, Taylor's Group Chief Marketing Officer, accepting the official Malaysia Book of Records certification for the Most Participants in a Nasi Lemak Breakfast Session from Mr Jwan Heah Yeow Hooi, Chief Marketing Officer of Malaysia Book of Records.

(Source: Taylor's Digital, Technology and Content team)

The highly-anticipated event where free nasi lemak was served took place in The Grand Hall at Taylor’s Lakeside Campus on 12 September. The Taylorian community, such as the students, staff and executive leaders, along with students from other universities, were among the crowd of more than 1,000 participants who had gathered to indulge in the national dish.

The nasi lemak experience recreates the story of Taylor's festive short film, ‘Campur2’. The film conveys a metaphorical message that draws similarities between Malaysia’s multicultural society and nasi lemak campur (nasi lemak with a variety of dishes).

“They're spicy, salty, sweet and all that, then when you mix it together, it's an amazing combination of beautiful flavours”, said Ben Foo Kian Beng, the Chief Marketing Officer of Taylor’s University.

Following the welcoming remarks by Foo and a short screening of Campur2, traditional drum performers entered the hall. With some dressed in traditional clothing, the crowd engaged in the performance as the performers played a variety of traditional percussion musical instruments.

The guests were later invited to savour the nasi lemak by the emcee.

The Campur2 nasi lemak served to the guests consisted of coconut rice, fried anchovies and nuts, sambal, cucumber, hard-boiled egg, fried chicken, tempeh, kangkung, potato and curry leaves. The staple Malaysian breakfast with lavish accompaniments was prepared by the students and lecturers of Taylor’s Culinary Institute.

Boxes of nasi lemak and side dishes prepared by Taylor’s Culinary Institute.

(Source: Taylor's Digital, Technology and Content team)

Aaron Tang Kok Keong, the chef and programme director of Taylor’s Culinary Institute, said the team “had to prepare a lot of things almost a week in advance”, especially for the sambal paste.

Students have worked on the preparation after classes at night, Tang added. He said during the execution day, the students arrived at the kitchen as early as 4.30am to cook and pack the nasi lemak until 8am before the arrival of the guests.

Towards the end of the event, Taylor’s received a certification for the Most Participants in a Nasi Lemak Breakfast Session, presented by Mr Jwan Heah Yeow Hooi, the Chief Marketing Officer of Malaysia Book of Records.

Hitz Cruisers and Milo trucks were also stationed outside the hall to end the event on a good note.