Maria's Cafe, Damansara Perdana

Cafe of English favourites

By ESTHER CHANDRAN

JOINING the ladies' social circle, having lunch and afternoon tea and regular meetings at clubs may seem unfruitful to some but not to Maria Tan. For, it was her role in the Ladies' Hour Charitable Club Ipoh that led her to realise her potential as a businesswoman.

As past president of the club, Tan was frequently involved in fund-raising events for charity. She also organised cooking workshops for members by inviting guest chefs from around the world as well as local chefs to teach new recipes.

Warm and inviting: Maria's Cafe in Damansara Perdana is a place for friends and family to meet and indulge in a serving of English favourites like pies, steaks and fish and chips.

Tan paid close attention to what the chefs taught and at home, she would put into practice what she had learnt, sharing the details with her late husband Philip Tan - an avid cook himself.

Both husband and wife would also bring back lessons learnt during their travels abroad and try to replicate dishes they had eaten overseas.

Throwing large parties for friends was a joyful experience for Tan as she enjoyed cooking for her friends.

The couple's passion for food, cooking and taste culminated in the opening of Maria's Café in Ipoh seven years ago and on Dec 12, Tan opened her second outlet in Damansara Perdana.

»Everything here is homemade and we insist on doing it ourselves at Maria’s« MARIA TAN

The Petaling Jaya outlet was opened by Raja Puan Sri Noora Ashikin Raja Abdullah, president of the Malaysian Women's Hockey Association.

Maria's Café is all about Western cuisine and everything is made from scratch.

“Everything here is homemade and we insist on doing it ourselves at Maria's.

“Like the dressing that is drizzled over your garden fresh salads and the sauces on your meat – though we recommend you enjoy our succulent meats without any sauce,” she said.

Tan believes in serving only prime meats like Australian Wagyu or Black Angus and New Zealand spring lamb.

“The restaurant serves English favourites like pies (Chunky Meat Pie, White Sauce Meat Pie and Brown Sauce Meat Pie), Roast Beef and Fish and Chips, just to name a few,” said the chef who has been cooking for more than 30 years.

Tan runs the outlet with the help of her sister Jane Low and daughter Mary Ann.

Maria's is located at C313A, Center Wing, Metropolitan Square, Damansara Perdana.

For details, call 03-7725 2313