Tok bali: Four years after leaving her job as a resort marketing officer, Nortiny Nawi has transformed her passion for cooking and crafting pulut kuning (turmeric glutinous rice) arrangements into a business that now serves as her main source of income. Operating from her home in Kampung Gong Cokoh here, the 46-year-old entrepreneur has seen growing demand for her decorative pulut kuning arrangements, which are sought after for thanksgiving feasts, birthday celebrations, and bridal table dinners (makan beradab).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, "Alhamdulillah, bookings are now received almost every day," said Nortiny, who shared that the price for each pulut kuning arrangement ranges from RM100 to RM280, depending on the weight of the glutinous rice and the complexity of the design requested by customers. Her talent earned her the top prize in the competition with an eight-kilogramme pulut kuning arrangement decorated with floral carvings made from white radish.

Nortiny said her interest in cooking began in her teenage years, but she only pursued it seriously after leaving her previous career. "While working at a resort, I often spent my free time observing the chefs in the kitchen, and that further deepened my interest in cooking," she said.

Her customers now include individuals, schools, and government departments across Kelantan, and she is able to accept up to six orders a day, depending on the complexity of the designs. Nortiny said the work requires dedication, often beginning as early as 3 am to steam the glutinous rice before it is kneaded, cooled, and shaped into decorative arrangements, unlike cakes, which can be prepared in advance and stored in a refrigerator.

"Although the routine can be tiring, my passion for this craft keeps me motivated. Every compliment from a customer inspires me to continue improving my work," she said. The mother of one hopes to expand the business by operating from larger premises in the future as demand for her creations continues to grow.