Alwin Yu – Managing Director of Brew by Cobnb
In this interview, the managing director of Brew by Cobnb, Alwin Yu, shares his growth in the industry.
What do you do?
I manage the cafe operations of Brew by Cobnb.
How did you get into the industry?
I used to be a banker at Standard Chartered Bank before taking a vacation and travelling the world. I became interested in the global cafe culture, and upon returning to Malaysia in 2013, I secured a barista job to acquire the necessary skills.
Share with us a story from behind the scenes.
I still remember how fascinating and amazing it was to learn how to make that perfect 30ml of espresso when I first started working in the service industry and learned to appreciate it.
What food memory from your childhood or travels stands out?
My trips to Thailand are always the most memorable because they creatively use simple ingredients to create delicious dishes. Naturally, the people and culture there are truly beautiful.
What’s the best/worst part of your job?
The best part is making connections and meeting new people. The worst part is encountering unpleasant customers.
What’s one of your favourite food and beverage pairings?
Chicken rice with kopi bing.
What’s one of the craziest things you’ve seen behind the scenes?
We prepared 700 cups of coffee nonstop for five hours at a property launch coffee event. It was an exciting and wild experience.
The perfect day off would be…
Going for a car drive with friends, having breakfast, and then spending time with loved ones.
A day in the life of Alwin Yu is a roller coaster ride.
It seems scary when you think about it. Like riding a roller coaster, it’s initially scary with many ups and downs, slow moments and fast ones, but the feeling eventually fades, and you become comfortable with it.
What does Alwin Yu do for fun?
Go for car drives and game with friends.
What’s something you’d like guests to know about Brew by Cobnb?
Brew by Cobnb is both a cafe and a property management space that allows customers to check in and dine.
How have you grown in your profession? What are your key learnings from your start in the industry until now? Any misconceptions?
Be humble, be patient, believe in what you do, and ignore the negativity.
What’s your view on the food and beverage industry scene in Malaysia?
In the F&B industry, you must be patient, consistent, and passionate. Passion alone is not enough.
What can guests look forward to in the upcoming months?
We’re about to introduce a new dinner menu. For coffee, we’ll be switching out the seasonal beans we get from various coffee roasters.
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