Norman Musa
Encyclopedia
Norman Bin Musa is a Malaysian chef
and restaurateur
, based in Manchester
, United Kingdom
. Born in Butterworth
, Penang
in Malaysia, he is the creator, co-owner and Executive Chef of Ning restaurant
.
. He was raised by his parents in a kampung called Sungai Nyior in Butterworth. Following his secondary education
, he gained a scholarship
to study quantity surveying at the University of Portsmouth
from 1994. After graduation
in 1997, his first job as a quantity surveyor
was in Bournemouth
, Southern England
before relocating to London
in 1999. In 2003 he moved to Manchester, where he continued to practice as a quantity surveyor.
In 2006, he planned, designed and developed a restaurant with his business partner
Andy Spracklen. He took a temporary break from his career in quantity surveying to do so. The restaurant, called Ning and located in the Northern Quarter, opened for trading in December 2006, focusing on Malaysian cuisine and Thai cuisine. Norman acted as Head Chef at the restaurant, even when in 2007 he returned to his day job as a quantity surveyor. As the restaurant business took off, he eventually left his career
in quantity surveying in 2009 to work full time at Ning.
who is heavily influenced by the cooking
and recipes of his late mother. During his time as a student
, he often relied on her advice
and mentoring
by telephone.
Prior to establishing Ning restaurant in 2006, his multiple talents extended to performing traditional South East Asian dance
. On one occasion he performed for HM Queen Elizabeth II and other Heads of Commonwealth
States at Westminster Abbey
.
In 2007 he established a cookery school at his restaurant, hosting regular classes in Malaysian cooking for the general public.
In June 2009 he made his first live television
appearance on Malaysian television, interviewed about his life, career and restaurant on the breakfast show Malaysia Hari Ini on TV3
. He has since appeared on several other programmes on Astro Awani
, NTV7
and TV9
.
During summer 2009 he wrote a book on Malaysian cuisine which was designed to introduce his native food to Westerners. The book, Malaysian Food, was self-published in the United Kingdom by his company
in October 2009. An updated edition specially designed for the Malaysian market
was published in April 2010.
In 2009 Norman was shortlisted for the Manchester Chef of the Year Award at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival. His restaurant Ning was also shortlisted for Manchester Restaurant of the Year.
In February 2010 he made his first appearance on British television
, demonstrating his Nyonya Lime Curry recipe to Rachel Allen
on the show Market Kitchen
on the Good Food Channel.
From March 2010 to August 2010, Norman was chef to the Lotus Racing Formula One
team, touring with them to the Grand Prix
motor races around the world.
In May 2010, he took part in filming in Kuala Lumpur
for the 2011 series of Gordon's Great Escape
with Gordon Ramsay
.
In June 2010, he made his debut at the popular Taste of London event in Regent's Park
where he demonstrated recipes in the cooking theatre of the Malaysia Kitchen pavilion.
During Autumn 2010, he also undertook live cooking demonstrations at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival and North West Food Lovers Festival, and led promotions for Malaysia Kitchen at Selfridges
and Waitrose
.
In November 2010, he was announced as one of Malaysia's 'Top 40 Under 40' by Prestige Asia magazine.
In April 2011, he was featured in Unreserved lifestyle supplement of The Malaysian Reserve newspaper.
During Spring and Summer 2011, he toured food festivals in the UK & Ireland, including Tewkesbury, Chester, Dublin and Cardiff.
On 27 July 2011, the first episode of 13-part cooking show A la Carte hosted by Chef Norman Musa, aired on NTV7
in Malaysia, marking his debut TV series.
In November 2011, he featured on MasterChef Malaysia
's Celebrity Chef Challenge and shared one of his own signature dishes.
Malaysian Food (Malaysian Edition,) ISBN 978-0-9563772-1-0
5 June 2009
Nasi Lemak Kopi O, TV9 (Malaysia)
24 January 2010
Awani Pagi, Astro Awani
25 January 2010
In Person, TV3 (Malaysia)
January 2010
Market Kitchen
, Good Food Channel 16 February 2010
Buletin Utama
, TV3 (Malaysia)
10 April 2010
Apa Apa Aje, TV3 (Malaysia)
22 April 2010
The Breakfast Show, NTV7
23 September 2010
Ala Carte, NTV7
July to October 2011 (13 episodes)
MasterChef Malaysia
, Astro Ria
7 November 2011
Chef
A chef is a person who cooks professionally for other people. Although over time the term has come to describe any person who cooks for a living, traditionally it refers to a highly skilled professional who is proficient in all aspects of food preparation.-Etymology:The word "chef" is borrowed ...
and restaurateur
Restaurateur
A restaurateur is a person who opens and runs restaurants professionally. Although over time the term has come to describe any person who owns a restaurant, traditionally it refers to a highly skilled professional who is proficient in all aspects of the restaurant business.-Etymology:The word...
, based in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Born in Butterworth
Butterworth, Penang
Butterworth is the principal town of Seberang Perai in the state of Penang in Malaysia. Named after William John Butterworth, Governor of the Straits Settlements , Butterworth was established in the mid-19th century as a landing place across the channel from the capital of Penang, George Town...
, Penang
Penang
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
in Malaysia, he is the creator, co-owner and Executive Chef of Ning restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
.
Life and Career
Norman is a Malaysian MalayMalaysian Malay
In Malaysia, the Malay population is defined by Article 160 of the Malaysian Constitution as someone born to a Malaysian citizen who professes to be a Muslim, habitually speaks the Malay language, adheres to Malay customs and is domiciled in Malaysia or Singapore...
. He was raised by his parents in a kampung called Sungai Nyior in Butterworth. Following his secondary education
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
, he gained a scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
to study quantity surveying at the University of Portsmouth
University of Portsmouth
The University of Portsmouth is a university in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. The University was ranked 60th out of 122 in The Sunday Times University Guide...
from 1994. After graduation
Graduation
Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree or the ceremony that is sometimes associated, where students become Graduates. Before the graduation, candidates are referred to as Graduands. The date of graduation is often called degree day. The graduation itself is also...
in 1997, his first job as a quantity surveyor
Quantity surveyor
A quantity surveyor is a professional working within the construction industry concerned with building costs.The profession is one that provides a qualification gained following formal education, specific training and experience that provides a general set of skills that are then applied to a...
was in Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
, Southern England
Southern England
Southern England, the South and the South of England are imprecise terms used to refer to the southern counties of England bordering the English Midlands. It has a number of different interpretations of its geographic extents. The South is considered by many to be a cultural region with a distinct...
before relocating to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1999. In 2003 he moved to Manchester, where he continued to practice as a quantity surveyor.
In 2006, he planned, designed and developed a restaurant with his business partner
Business partner
Business partner is a term used to denote a commercial entity with which another commercial entity has some form of alliance. This relationship may be a highly contractual, exclusive bond in which both entities commit not to ally with third parties...
Andy Spracklen. He took a temporary break from his career in quantity surveying to do so. The restaurant, called Ning and located in the Northern Quarter, opened for trading in December 2006, focusing on Malaysian cuisine and Thai cuisine. Norman acted as Head Chef at the restaurant, even when in 2007 he returned to his day job as a quantity surveyor. As the restaurant business took off, he eventually left his career
Career
Career is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as a person's "course or progress through life ". It is usually considered to pertain to remunerative work ....
in quantity surveying in 2009 to work full time at Ning.
Biography
Norman is a self-taught chefChef
A chef is a person who cooks professionally for other people. Although over time the term has come to describe any person who cooks for a living, traditionally it refers to a highly skilled professional who is proficient in all aspects of food preparation.-Etymology:The word "chef" is borrowed ...
who is heavily influenced by the cooking
Cooking
Cooking is the process of preparing food by use of heat. Cooking techniques and ingredients vary widely across the world, reflecting unique environmental, economic, and cultural traditions. Cooks themselves also vary widely in skill and training...
and recipes of his late mother. During his time as a student
Student
A student is a learner, or someone who attends an educational institution. In some nations, the English term is reserved for those who attend university, while a schoolchild under the age of eighteen is called a pupil in English...
, he often relied on her advice
Advice
Advice may refer to:*AdviSe , in complexity theory, a string with extra information used by Turing machine or other computing device...
and mentoring
Mentoring
Mentorship refers to a personal developmental relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps a less experienced or less knowledgeable person....
by telephone.
Prior to establishing Ning restaurant in 2006, his multiple talents extended to performing traditional South East Asian dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
. On one occasion he performed for HM Queen Elizabeth II and other Heads of Commonwealth
Commonwealth
Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has sometimes been synonymous with "republic."More recently it has been used for fraternal associations of some sovereign nations...
States at Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
.
In 2007 he established a cookery school at his restaurant, hosting regular classes in Malaysian cooking for the general public.
In June 2009 he made his first live television
Live television
Live television refers to a television production broadcast in real-time, as events happen, in the present. From the early days of television until about 1958, live television was used heavily, except for filmed shows such as I Love Lucy and Gunsmoke. Video tape did not exist until 1957...
appearance on Malaysian television, interviewed about his life, career and restaurant on the breakfast show Malaysia Hari Ini on TV3
TV3 (Malaysia)
Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad or TV3 began broadcasting on 1 June 1984 as Malaysia’s first commercial television station. It is part of Media Prima Berhad group of companies. It now transmits opened broadcasting business private 24-hours a day, 7 days a week since 1 January 2010...
. He has since appeared on several other programmes on Astro Awani
Astro Awani
Astro Awani is the in-house rolling television news and current affairs channel providing 24-hour news coverage including news in Malay. with its slogan and motto tagline names Our Gateway to The World , Astro Awani presents news and informative programs include current affairs, lifestyle,...
, NTV7
Ntv7
Natseven TV Sdn Bhd or better known as ntv7 is a terrestrial television channel in Malaysia. It was launched nationwide on 7 April 1998 and was the country's third private free-to-air TV station after TV3 and Astro. Its mission is to promote a happier and more enlightened Malaysia...
and TV9
TV9 (Malaysia)
TV9 is a free-to-air private television station in Malaysia. TV9 began broadcasting on 22 April 2006, as a subsidiary of Media Prima Berhad. It formerly existed as Channel 9, which began airing on 9 September 2003 and ceased transmission on 1 February 2005 due to financial difficulties faced by the...
.
During summer 2009 he wrote a book on Malaysian cuisine which was designed to introduce his native food to Westerners. The book, Malaysian Food, was self-published in the United Kingdom by his company
Company
A company is a form of business organization. It is an association or collection of individual real persons and/or other companies, who each provide some form of capital. This group has a common purpose or focus and an aim of gaining profits. This collection, group or association of persons can be...
in October 2009. An updated edition specially designed for the Malaysian market
Market
A market is one of many varieties of systems, institutions, procedures, social relations and infrastructures whereby parties engage in exchange. While parties may exchange goods and services by barter, most markets rely on sellers offering their goods or services in exchange for money from buyers...
was published in April 2010.
In 2009 Norman was shortlisted for the Manchester Chef of the Year Award at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival. His restaurant Ning was also shortlisted for Manchester Restaurant of the Year.
In February 2010 he made his first appearance on British television
British television
Public television broadcasting started in the United Kingdom in 1936, and now has a collection of free and subscription services over a variety of distribution media, through which there are over 480 channelsTaking the base Sky EPG TV Channels. A breakdown is impossible due to a) the number of...
, demonstrating his Nyonya Lime Curry recipe to Rachel Allen
Rachel Allen
Rachel Allen is an Irish celebrity chef, known most widely for her work on television and as a writer.-Career as chef:...
on the show Market Kitchen
Market Kitchen
Market Kitchen is a cookery programme, made by Optomen, that premiered on Good Food in 2007. Presented by Rachel Allen, Amanda Lamb, Matt Tebbutt, Tom Parker Bowles and Matthew Fort, the programme concentrates on seasonal cooking and features visits to a local market to obtain seasonal produce...
on the Good Food Channel.
From March 2010 to August 2010, Norman was chef to the Lotus Racing Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
team, touring with them to the Grand Prix
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
motor races around the world.
In May 2010, he took part in filming in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
for the 2011 series of Gordon's Great Escape
Gordon's Great Escape
Gordon's Great Escape is a television series presented by chef Gordon Ramsay.Series 1 follows Ramsay's first visit to India, where he explores the country's culinary traditions...
with Gordon Ramsay
Gordon Ramsay
Gordon James Ramsay, OBE is a Scottish chef, television personality and restaurateur. He has been awarded 13 Michelin stars....
.
In June 2010, he made his debut at the popular Taste of London event in Regent's Park
Regent's Park
Regent's Park is one of the Royal Parks of London. It is in the north-western part of central London, partly in the City of Westminster and partly in the London Borough of Camden...
where he demonstrated recipes in the cooking theatre of the Malaysia Kitchen pavilion.
During Autumn 2010, he also undertook live cooking demonstrations at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival and North West Food Lovers Festival, and led promotions for Malaysia Kitchen at Selfridges
Selfridges
Selfridges, AKA Selfridges & Co, is a chain of high end department stores in the United Kingdom. It was founded by Harry Gordon Selfridge. The flagship store in London's Oxford Street is the second largest shop in the UK and was opened on 15 March 1909.More recently, three other stores have been...
and Waitrose
Waitrose
Waitrose Limited is an upmarket chain of supermarkets in the United Kingdom and is the food division of the British retailer and worker co-operative the John Lewis Partnership. Its head office is in Bracknell, Berkshire, England...
.
In November 2010, he was announced as one of Malaysia's 'Top 40 Under 40' by Prestige Asia magazine.
In April 2011, he was featured in Unreserved lifestyle supplement of The Malaysian Reserve newspaper.
During Spring and Summer 2011, he toured food festivals in the UK & Ireland, including Tewkesbury, Chester, Dublin and Cardiff.
On 27 July 2011, the first episode of 13-part cooking show A la Carte hosted by Chef Norman Musa, aired on NTV7
Ntv7
Natseven TV Sdn Bhd or better known as ntv7 is a terrestrial television channel in Malaysia. It was launched nationwide on 7 April 1998 and was the country's third private free-to-air TV station after TV3 and Astro. Its mission is to promote a happier and more enlightened Malaysia...
in Malaysia, marking his debut TV series.
In November 2011, he featured on MasterChef Malaysia
MasterChef Malaysia
MasterChef Malaysia is a cooking show like the other MasterChef shows in other countries, such as USA, Australia, New Zealand, Croatia , Greece, India, Sweden, Indonesia and Great Britain. The show will be aired for the upcoming first season on Astro Ria....
's Celebrity Chef Challenge and shared one of his own signature dishes.
Books
Malaysian Food, ISBN 978-0-9563772-0-3Malaysian Food (Malaysian Edition,) ISBN 978-0-9563772-1-0
Television Appearances
Malaysia Hari Ini, TV3 (Malaysia)TV3 (Malaysia)
Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad or TV3 began broadcasting on 1 June 1984 as Malaysia’s first commercial television station. It is part of Media Prima Berhad group of companies. It now transmits opened broadcasting business private 24-hours a day, 7 days a week since 1 January 2010...
5 June 2009
Nasi Lemak Kopi O, TV9 (Malaysia)
TV9 (Malaysia)
TV9 is a free-to-air private television station in Malaysia. TV9 began broadcasting on 22 April 2006, as a subsidiary of Media Prima Berhad. It formerly existed as Channel 9, which began airing on 9 September 2003 and ceased transmission on 1 February 2005 due to financial difficulties faced by the...
24 January 2010
Awani Pagi, Astro Awani
Astro Awani
Astro Awani is the in-house rolling television news and current affairs channel providing 24-hour news coverage including news in Malay. with its slogan and motto tagline names Our Gateway to The World , Astro Awani presents news and informative programs include current affairs, lifestyle,...
25 January 2010
In Person, TV3 (Malaysia)
TV3 (Malaysia)
Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad or TV3 began broadcasting on 1 June 1984 as Malaysia’s first commercial television station. It is part of Media Prima Berhad group of companies. It now transmits opened broadcasting business private 24-hours a day, 7 days a week since 1 January 2010...
January 2010
Market Kitchen
Market Kitchen
Market Kitchen is a cookery programme, made by Optomen, that premiered on Good Food in 2007. Presented by Rachel Allen, Amanda Lamb, Matt Tebbutt, Tom Parker Bowles and Matthew Fort, the programme concentrates on seasonal cooking and features visits to a local market to obtain seasonal produce...
, Good Food Channel 16 February 2010
Buletin Utama
Buletin Utama
Buletin Utama is a national flagship news program in Malaysia. The news program is aired by TV3 every day at 8:00 pm until 9:00pm.-Main Anchors:*Kamaruddin Mape*Suhaimi Ahmad*Mohd Yasir Mansor*Shahida Azad Jamaludin...
, TV3 (Malaysia)
TV3 (Malaysia)
Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad or TV3 began broadcasting on 1 June 1984 as Malaysia’s first commercial television station. It is part of Media Prima Berhad group of companies. It now transmits opened broadcasting business private 24-hours a day, 7 days a week since 1 January 2010...
10 April 2010
Apa Apa Aje, TV3 (Malaysia)
TV3 (Malaysia)
Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad or TV3 began broadcasting on 1 June 1984 as Malaysia’s first commercial television station. It is part of Media Prima Berhad group of companies. It now transmits opened broadcasting business private 24-hours a day, 7 days a week since 1 January 2010...
22 April 2010
The Breakfast Show, NTV7
Ntv7
Natseven TV Sdn Bhd or better known as ntv7 is a terrestrial television channel in Malaysia. It was launched nationwide on 7 April 1998 and was the country's third private free-to-air TV station after TV3 and Astro. Its mission is to promote a happier and more enlightened Malaysia...
23 September 2010
Ala Carte, NTV7
Ntv7
Natseven TV Sdn Bhd or better known as ntv7 is a terrestrial television channel in Malaysia. It was launched nationwide on 7 April 1998 and was the country's third private free-to-air TV station after TV3 and Astro. Its mission is to promote a happier and more enlightened Malaysia...
July to October 2011 (13 episodes)
MasterChef Malaysia
MasterChef Malaysia
MasterChef Malaysia is a cooking show like the other MasterChef shows in other countries, such as USA, Australia, New Zealand, Croatia , Greece, India, Sweden, Indonesia and Great Britain. The show will be aired for the upcoming first season on Astro Ria....
, Astro Ria
Astro Ria
Astro Ria is a Malaysian 24 hour television network broadcast on the Astro satellite television service. It was one of the first 22 channels to commence broadcast on Astro in 1996.Programs on the network include Malay dramas, films and reality shows....
7 November 2011