5-Star Conference Venue has Halaal Kitchen


Signing the Halaal Agreement between Gallagher Estate and the National Independent Halaal Trust (NIHT) are the Chief Executive Officer of the trust, Moulana Abdul Wahab Wookay and the MD of Gallagher Estate, Andrew Dunkley. BACK: Spencer Pillay, Shafiq Sulaimani inspector with the NIHT, Chef Gordan Fraser, Chef Muhammed Asad (the Muslim chef at the kitchen) and Adnaan Cassim also of the NIHT.

The 22nd of September saw the official NIHT certification of Gallagher Estate’s on-site Halaal kitchen facility. The 5-star graded conference and exhibition centre is now approved and equipped to provide full Halaal catering for an entire function and any number of guests.

The certification documents were signed by Andrew Dunkley, managing director of Gallagher Estate and Moulana Wookay of the National Independent Halaal Trust, following his final inspection of the facility yesterday.

Moulana Wookay explained that the NIHT would maintain constant contact with Gallagher Estate, ensuring continued adherence to strict Halaal requirements. The sustained supervision of the facility will also include random monthly inspections of the facility by an Inspector of the NIHT.

The Halaal kitchen facility will be utilised exclusively for the preparation of Halaal meals. Many additional measures have been put in place to ensure that Halaal requirements are met. Among them is the sealing of Halaal meals with an NIHT logo before they leave the kitchen facility to be served - this will not apply where the entire event is catered Halaal. The kitchen is equipped with its own wash up area and equipment used may not be removed from the kitchen or utilised anywhere else on the Estate. All suppliers to the kitchen will be NIHT approved, and all staff employed in the facility will receive ongoing training and education as to the procedure and relevance of Halaal food preparation.

Gallagher Estate has employed Pakistani Chef Muhammad for his culinary genius in Indian cuisine, seeing an expansion of the existing menu to include an extensive selection of exotic and authentic Indian dishes. Chef Muhammad highlighted that any item on the menu can be prepared Halaal – not just the Indian dishes. “Although Chef Muhammad is a Gallagher Estate employee, his religious obligations are to the NIHT”, explained the Moulana.

General manager for marketing and corporate affairs, Spencer Pillai is delighted that months of preparation for the certification have come to fruition. “Having identified an increasing demand in the market place for on-site Halaal catering, we are pleased to now officially acknowledge, respect and accommodate the needs of this important sector of business.”

Gallagher Estate is also currently researching the viability of a permanent on-site Muslim prayer facility.

For information contact:
Spencer Pillai
General Manager, Marketing & Corporate Affairs
Gallagher Estate
Tel: 011 266 3244
Fax: 011 266 3205
Email: spencerp@gallagher.co.za
Web: www.gallagher.co.za

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