Such was the aroma and flavour of Stuffed Pomfret and Green Tawa Pomfret of the coastal city, that Minister for Food and Civil Supplies B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan promptly handed over a hefty tip of Rs 25,000 to a 48-year old chef. The legislator, who also holds Minority Welfare alongside the folio of Hajj and Wakf, also promised Haneef Mohammed to pay for his Umrah pilgrimage.
On Thursday (October 18), Zameer who was in Mangaluru for official review meeting made a pit-stop at 'Fish Market' at Lower Bendoor, for lunch. Impromptu, the restaurant served him with various delicacies of Pomfret, Seer fish, Lady Fish along with rice preparations.
Few minutes later, a party worker with the minister came to the kitchen and requested Haneef Mohammed to come to the dining room. "As I entered, the minister greeted me warmly. He made me sit next to him, fed me a morsel of rice and told me that he had never eaten such appetizing course of fish," Haneef said.
Post lunch, the minister took out Rs. 25,000 from his wallet and offered to Haneef. "He then assured me that he would bear my Umrah pilgrimage expenses and told his officials to take down my details," Haneef said.
For Haneef, who has been a chef for the last 18-years with fish as his specialty, he says never had come across a patron who benevolent made such offer. "Although, previously Congress leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Gulam Nabi Azad, U T Khader and others have enjoyed our preparations, this was an exceptional gesture," Haneef says. The father of six and the co-owner of the restaurant as-well, Haneef says he has distributed Rs. 21,000 to his employees at his restaurant.
“At present, I cannot make the journey as my passport is up for renewal, but in consultation with my family and if my fate permits, I would like to confirm my journey in the month of January,” Haneef says.
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