Cook Paul Simon fulfilled his dream yesterday when he whipped up a three-course lunch of mango salsa salad, chicken briyani and sweetcorn sago for President Halimah Yacob at the Istana.

The President had read a report in The Straits Times last month about his desire to cook a meal for her, and had asked her staff to reach out to him.

Mr Simon, 27, who works at Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort and Spa and has mild intellectual disability, spent some time eating dessert with the President.

He said he chose the three dishes because they went well together.

President Halimah encouraged him to continue pursuing his career in the industry.

She said: "You can have a very good career (in cooking) because good food will never go out of date... good food, good cooking is always welcome."

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