Al Tara Halal and Vegetarian Restaurant
at the Chaophya Park Hotel is due to open this month.
Andrew Wood
Islam is the fastest growing religion with an
estimated global Muslim population of two billion. In many European
countries, Muslims are poised to become the most significant minority
population. And that population isn’t the same as it was 20 or 30 years
ago.
Today, Muslims are as cosmopolitan as anyone else and
travelling in greater numbers (particularly in Asia). These travellers
expect certain services to be available where they go and wise
businesses that want to tap into the market had better take notice.
One area is Halal food. The growing culinary trend is
in direct proportion to the growing population and mobilisation of the
group. Adding menu items and even entire outlets dedicated to this
unique style of food can go a long way in helping you capture some of
those travellers.
What is Halal food?
Halal food simply means food permissible to be
consumed by Muslims. It is not difficult to find or prepare (vegans and
vegetarians have stricter rules on food consumption). Alcohol and pork
(or anything derived from it) are not permissible. Meats must come from
animals slaughtered according to Islamic regulation and ingredients
derived from slaughtered animals must come from Halal sources. A large
variety of fish and seafood are permissible.
The following products are common in Halal menus:
milk (from cows, sheep, camels, and goats), honey, fish, plants (non
intoxicant), fresh or naturally frozen vegetables, fresh or dried
fruits, nuts such as peanuts, cashew nuts, hazel nuts, walnuts, etc.,
grains such as wheat, rice, rye, barley, oat, etc. The meat from cows,
sheep, goats, deer, moose, chickens, ducks, game, birds, etc., can also
be Halal, but they must be Zabihah (slaughtered according to Islamic
Rites) in order to be suitable for consumption.
Chef Manit Laemit of Bangkok’s newest and possibly
only fine dining Halal venue in Bangkok, at the brand new Al Tara Halal
& Vegetarian Restaurant of the Chaophya Park Hotel, stated that, “There
are many things to keep in mind regarding Halal food, even when you wash
the meat and ingredients. We have to let water pour through it three to
seven times. Fish is easy as it has little blood but for things like
beef, which is bloody, it can take some time. For food to be Halal, the
person who handles food and its preparation must be Muslim. A Muslim
will only trust a Halal food restaurant that is controlled by a Muslim
chef.”
Chef Manit went on to add, “I think that when a hotel
has Halal food, it’s a good way to attract guests. Especially Muslim
guests. Sometimes they will choose a hotel because it offers Halal food
for them.”
Al Tara Halal and Vegetarian Restaurant will open in
April 2010 and will provide a delicious array of pan Asian cuisine
including Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai, Indian and Middle Eastern. All
food items are prepared to strict Halal standards and at-home or outside
catering menus are available on request.
