Next door catering

I was puzzled at first, when Munief’s previous babysitter (who has since ‘retired’ from babysitting) gave this lady (who was also sending her kids to her) lauk berbuka in mangkuk tingkat every single day during Ramadhan last year. I later learnt that, it’s an arrangement whereby Makcik S would cook extra and the lady would pay her. How convenient, isn’t it?

It reminds me of one of my sister’s neighbours, who cooks and sells food from her home. She would sit for about two hours (4-6 pm, the time people comes back from work) at the side gate of her house (a corner lot). She usually has two or three types of kuih, two or three types of lauk, and two or three types of side dishes (laksa, bihun etc). Her neighbours greatly appreciate this service. Another win-win situation – homecooked meal for busy parents, and extra income for her, even better if she’s someone who enjoys cooking, which is usually the case. If I were tired after work, I would also opt for meals cooked by my neighbour rather than buy lauk from a restaurant. But if there were to be no similar ‘next door catering lady’ at my house later, would I dare request or suggest this to ‘potential candidates’?

* Selamat Hari Raya Idulfitri & maaf zahir batin, everyone!