Beyond the plate, a shared purpose

Beyond satisfying appetites, food has a way of bringing people together. At Tinyport at DUN, local food vendors are proving that food is more than just a meal, creating opportunities for friendship, collaboration and shared growth.

Building community, one bite at a time

Food can bring communities together through shared tastes and a common appreciation of food culture. This was evident at the Tinyport bazaar held at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) during its sitting, which runs until October 21.

There, a strong sense of community prevailed as vendors came together to create a welcoming space where people from different backgrounds could connect over one common interest — food. This spirit also reflects the message of World Food Day: food is not merely about eating, but can also bring people together and foster harmony.

Founded by husband-and-wife team Mohd Azmeerul Al-bakri Ali and Shahnaz Hai’adz, the Tinyport Community aims to bring local entrepreneurs and the creative community together. After seeing how food united Sarawakians last year, the duo wanted to create a space where people could exchange ideas and experiences.

Tinyport Community co-founders, husband and wife, Mohd Azmeerul and Shahnaz Hai’adz.

“The idea behind Tinyport at DUN comes from our belief that Tinyport should be more than just a place for people to eat, drink and hang out. We want it to be a platform that creates opportunities for local entrepreneurs and brings communities together through different experiences,” said Azmeerul.

He added that the Tinyport Community had organised various small-scale events and collaborated with local businesses to support entrepreneurs and introduce new concepts.

At DUN, Azmeerul hoped the venue would demonstrate that local entrepreneurs could deliver quality products, professional service and a well-coordinated experience even in a formal institutional setting.

Sweet treats by Fa’vlova.

“For us, this is more than a pop-up. It is a step towards proving that a local community initiative can grow, adapt and create opportunities beyond its original boundaries,” he added.

Nine local brands, ranging from home-based businesses to established entrepreneurs, took part in the bazaar, each contributing something unique to the food and beverage experience.

They included Tinyslush and Laila Café from Kuching, Lala Laksa from Bau, and Pinang Bistro from Kota Samarahan, as well as Oregano, Hungry Amigos, Lisse, Whipped.Kch and Fa’vlova. Together, the vendors offered a diverse selection of local favourites, beverages and sweet treats to cater to the varied tastes of visitors during the DUN sitting.

Different vibe, same setting

Although the concept of the bazaar at DUN was similar to other pop-up events, it came with strict protocols. Azmeerul said the team was catering to a different community in a more formal setting. Despite these requirements, vendors retained their individual identities while maintaining food quality and high standards of service.

Pinang Bistro chef Mohd Nurhazim Mohd Hashim said working in a kitchen could sometimes limit his opportunities to explore new ideas. Taking part in pop-up events allowed him to broaden his horizons, understand the market better and connect with fellow food and beverage entrepreneurs.

Established in 2011, Pinang Bistro draws on his family’s food heritage in Johor. Having learnt recipes from his mother, Nurhazim and his brother took over the cafe to introduce the region’s culinary traditions and show how food can bridge cultural differences.

Whipped.KCH.

Pinang Bistro from Kota Samarahan brings the flavours of Johor to DUN.

Whipped.Kch’s Aisyah Najwa Sapawi shared a similar view, drawing on her experience of participating in numerous food events. Specialising in whipped cream and fruit-based treats, Aisyah said her entry into the industry had been unplanned but brought her many joys and valuable life lessons.

“It all started with me selling my food products in the office where I work. Then I found the courage to join food bazaars to earn some extra income. But what I gained was also friendship. My fellow vendors taught me that, regardless of what we offer our customers, there is always room for us to learn and grow together,” she said.

Aisyah said she sometimes recommended other bakers to customers seeking whipped cream desserts, particularly when she was not participating in a bazaar. She also supported their businesses herself.

She believed there was little point in viewing one another as competitors. Everyone was working to earn a living, and helping others could create opportunities for mutual growth.

Sharing her sentiment, Hungry Amigos founder Muhammad Zainal Abidin Kamarol, who started the business in 2013 and grew it from a stall into a restaurant, said: “In Islam, we believe in rezeki. We believe that dalam rezeki kami, ada rezeki orang lain.”

The Malay phrase conveys the belief that there is sustenance for others within one’s own blessings.

Zainal emphasised the importance of fostering a sense of community, noting that everyone wanted to succeed in life. As a food entrepreneur, he viewed fellow vendors as people to work alongside rather than rivals.

“I think when we make friends with each other, we can learn from each other, listen to each other’s experiences and learn from one another. From here, we can motivate ourselves,” he said.

Tinyslush, a local slushie beverage brand.

A science graduate, Zainal grew Hungry Amigos from a humble stall in Metrocity to its first restaurant in Satok. His passion for cooking and preparing food saw him through the challenges of running a food business in Kuching.

Beyond serving food, it is the relationships built along the way that make the journey worthwhile, especially when fellow entrepreneurs are willing to share their experiences and support one another.

Beyond serving food, Tinyport at DUN shows how shared experiences can build relationships among entrepreneurs. Vendors from different backgrounds came together to share their specialities, stories and aspirations, united by the goal of earning a living and creating meaningful experiences for their customers.

As World Food Day reminds us, food can nurture connections beyond the dining table. Sometimes, it is the friendships formed, opportunities shared and willingness to support one another that make the greatest difference.

From a humble stall to a restaurant and now a pop-up booth, Hungry Amigos is ready to serve its customers.