Mangaluru: Karnataka minister for food and civil supplies BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan handed over a tip of Rs 25,000 to a 48-year-old chef in Mangaluru after enjoying local delicacies such as pomfret, seer fish and ladyfish, along with rice preparations at a local restaurant.

On Thursday (October 18), Zameer, who was in the coastal district for an official review meeting, took a lunch break at the Fish Market, a seafood restaurant. 

Later, a party worker accompanying the minister entered the kitchen and asked the chef Haneef Mohammed (48) to meet Khan. The minister made the chef sit next to him and told him that he had never eaten such tasty fish.

Thanks to the sumptuous meal, the minister paid a tip of Rs 25,000 to Haneef. The legislator also holds the post of minority welfare alongside the portfolio of Hajj and Wakf. He also promised to take care of Haneef’s Umrah (Islamic pilgrimage) and told his party worker to take note of the chef’s details.

Haneef has been a chef for the last 18 years serving a variety of fish. Earlier, Congress leaders like UT Khader, Rahul Gandhi and Ghulam Nabi Azad have visited the place and enjoyed the food. However, this was an uncommon gesture, Haneef said.

The co-owner of the restaurant, Haneef, then distributed Rs 25,000 gifted to him as tip to the workers at his restaurant. Presently, Haneef cannot travel as his passport is up for renewal, but in consultation with his family and “if fate permits”, Haneef said that he will confirm his Umrah by January.