Call The Indonesian Culinary Icon Fried Rice, Puan: The Impression Is Easy Even Though It's Difficult

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, attended the Final of the Cooking Rice Competition for mothers in Semarang, Central Java. For him, fried rice is one of Indonesia's proud culinary delights whose cooking is easy and difficult.

The final of the Cook Competition titled Nasi Goreng Khas Mbak Ita is an event held by the Semarang City Government (Pemkot) in order to enliven the 78th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia. The final round itself will be held at Simpang Lima Field, Semarang on Saturday, August 26.

Together with the Mayor of Semarang Hevearita Gunaryanti Rahayu, Puan was greeted with great fanfare by the women. When she arrived at the location, Puan was asked to shake hands and take photos together. Even a number of mothers greeted Puan with a dance.

After greeting the residents, Puan then visited the stands for the fried rice competition, which consisted of 150 teams. When reviewing the participant's cooking, Bung Karno's grandson tasted cooked fried rice.

Puan then gave a prize to the champion of the cooking rice competition. He also praised the cooking competition participants whose cooking results were considered very slick, including in terms of the plating.

I often cook fried rice. When I was a child, I like to ask for cooking. So I'm happy to see the enthusiasm of the women of Semarang. Be smart to make fried rice. Some are in the form of a heart, a sickle moon, some are rolled with eggs," said Puan when giving a speech.

"The impression is that it's easy to fry the rice with side dishes, but getting the right and delicious taste is difficult," he continued.

The fried rice competition itself was initiated by the Mayor of Semarang who is familiarly called Mbak Ita. The existence of the Semarang City fried rice competition is considered to further strengthen the culinary as a relic of the taste of the archipelago.

"I hope this event can make Indonesian fried rice strengthen its image as one of Indonesia's culinary icons," explained Puan.

The fried rice competition with a total prize of IDR 225 million was made in order to promote the concept of food security, urban farming, balance of food nutrition and stunting prevention to the wider community.

Puan assessed that fried rice is a simple dish but is done in full preparation so that the results can inspire the food sector.

"Many things must be considered, starting from the preparation of fried rice, it should not be soft, then the size of the fire must be right, then arrange the amount of seasoning, it all makes cooking fried rice activities like art itself," said the first woman who served as Chairman of the DPR RI.

As Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan often makes work visits to various countries and tasted the culinary delights of these countries. However, he admitted that he always missed the taste of Indonesian fried rice.

"I have eaten many culinary delights from other countries, but the taste of Indonesian fried rice always makes me miss it, nothing can compete," said Puan.

"There is a distinctive taste of Indonesian fried rice mixed rice, side dishes, the spices are different from other countries," he continued.

In this competition in Semarang, all participants are required to make fried rice with a delicious taste, but must prioritize balanced nutritional levels in each portion of fried rice made. This is in line with the commitment of the Semarang City Government, which wants to fight for mothers to continue to provide balanced nutritional intake for their families.

Puan also appreciated the philosophy of organizing the event. The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture said that the nutritional value in each dish must be combined with the manufacture of the heart.

"I give a thumbs up for all the cooking rice competition participants in Semarang City who have used various skills, experience, and cooking fried rice with feelings," said Puan.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Semarang is grateful for Puan's presence at today's cooking competition event.

"Thank you for the chaos (presence) of Mba Lk Puan, who will certainly encourage women, especially in the city of Semarang," said Mbak Ita.

In addition to the cooking competition, there are also chant competitions from mothers. The participants of the cooking competition and other competitions are representatives of each kelurahan in Semarang which are taken from each RT.

The peak of the cooking competition for fried rice is also equipped with a people's party, which involves 2,000 MSME actors. Mbak Ita said that today's event was initiated, including to revive so that mothers returned to love cooking.

"This is proof that women are empowered, great women, so not only cook but also random (dand)," she concluded.