James Kon
Royal Brunei Catering Sdn Bhd yesterday ushered in a new era of quality culinary services and food solutions with the launch of its state-of-the-art Central Kitchen, along with a brand-new identity and logo – ‘Royal Brunei Culinary’ (RBC).
The rebranding reflects RBC’s commitment and vision in delivering the ‘Taste of Modern Brunei’, while the aroma mark on the new logo signifies its culinary roots and deep ties to Brunei heritage.
Situated on a two-hectare plot at the Lambak Kanan West Industrial Park, the Central Kitchen – the largest of its kind in the Sultanate – will consolidate RBC’s corporate office and kitchen operations for its healthcare, airlines and retail business segments.
The 110,000-foot Central Kitchen will also soon be a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) certified facility, which will double RBC’s production capacity and improve operational efficiencies, allowing it to cater to future growth opportunities.
Presiding over the launch were Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar and Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah.
Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy cum RBC Chairman Dato Seri Paduka Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, senior government officials, members of the RBC Board of Directors; and the senior management of Darussalam Assets Sdn Bhd and RBC also attended.
RBC General Manager Haji Jeff Hadiman bin Dato Paduka Haji Danial said, “RBC’s new state-of-the-art Central Kitchen will be centralising all its kitchens. We are combining; we are synergising our airline kitchen, our healthcare kitchen and our events catering kitchen, as one holistic operation.
“Synergies, efficiencies, creativity and productivity – we have unlocked massive capacity for growth, opening us up to a wealth of new opportunities for expansion and new business segments. From airplanes, to hospitals, social gatherings and restaurants, the food that we produce covers so many touch points among the Bruneian consumer.
“So having production in one area, streamlining our recipes, our process flows and cooking methods – all while monitoring our portioning and yield – we assure a marked improvement in quality and consistency to all our end users, Insya Allah.
“We more than quadruple our capacity to produce; from thousands of meals per day, we are now able to do tens of thousands of meals per day.
“Our new facility has equipped us with greater ability to meet future demands. Operating around the clock, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, we believe we are ready for the growth that is about to come. And it is our duty and responsibility to make sure that everything that comes out of here delivers the best in culinary experience for the Bruneian consumer.
“Driven by the best in Brunei’s F&B man and womanpower, with 620 people strong and at 90 per cent local employment, we are only here because of our dedicated and hardworking people.
“RBC is nothing if not for our people, as they are our engine that pushes this machine forwards. The chefs, service, and operations team – we have built them here a platform for their creativity and innovation to grow. We will have the largest concentration of culinary minds gathered under one roof.”
On safety and hygiene, Haji Jeff Hadiman said, “This facility will be Brunei’s largest HACCP and JCI-certified kitchen. Hopefully, somewhere down the line, an ISO-certified kitchen as well. It has always been our competitive advantage that we prioritise and ensure controls of potential hazards in food production are in place, to the best of our abilities and within these guidelines.
“With the consolidation of RBC’s operations, with the new facility, new brand and refreshed approach, we reaffirm what our principles should be and that is adding value to Brunei, the economy and its society.
“Providing food solutions to the aviation and healthcare industry, major events and functions, we are also further committed to supporting the development and growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by providing services such as outsourcing of our kitchen and commissary services, competitive procurement of raw materials and the use of our test kitchen facilities and expertise.
“We aim to be the backbone for Brunei’s F&B industry, we look forward to working with everyone, from the micro to the large enterprise. We hope to collaborate with everyone and anyone, as we grow and elevate together.”
Following the launch, the ministers and invited guests toured the Central Kitchen, where RBC’s culinary excellence and live cooking demonstrations were on display.
RBC is a company under the purview of Darussalam Assets Sdn Bhd, and is the leading provider of premium culinary services and food solutions in the country.