Azim Shah – Sous Chef, Entier French Dining
In this interview, Azim Shah, Sous Chef at Entier French Dining, gives some insight into careers in the hospitality industry.
What do you do?
I am a sous chef at Entier French Dining.
How did you get into the industry?
I started my career as a kitchen helper back in 2014.
What food memory from your childhood stands out?
It is definitely Gulai Tempoyak! I remember that when I was young, I would go to my grandmother’s in Pasir Salak (Perak) during the school holidays. She had an orchard, and every morning at 5 am, we would go to the orchard and wait for the durians to drop, then eat them. My grandmother would ferment the remaining durians and turn them into Gulai Tempoyak.
What inspired you to become a chef?
My inspiration to become a chef came from two influential figures in my life: my uncle, who is a chef, and my high school senior. Their passion for cooking and dedication to the culinary arts sparked my interest and motivated me to pursue this career path.
What’s the best/ worst part of your job?
Best: Having access to a wide variety of local and international ingredients
Worst: The long, time-consuming hours, which often mean sacrificing family time and missing out on important moments in my children’s growth.
What is one ingredient you would like to use but haven’t had the chance to yet?
The Iranian black lemon.
What elements do you consider essential in creating a memorable meal?
Patience is essential throughout the entire process. It allows for careful preparation, proper cooking techniques, and the perfect balance of flavours, all of which contribute to a truly memorable dining experience.
What’s a memorable moment from behind the scenes?
Having zero reservations for dinner service at a restaurant I worked at years ago. It was the first and last time I encountered such a situation.
The perfect day off would be…
spending quality time with my family. As a very family-oriented person whether it’s playing puzzles together, enjoying each other’s company, or simply being present in the moment, those are the moments that truly make a day perfect for me.
What does Azim Shah do for fun?
I enjoy a chilled-out day just watching old movies… Elsa… Frozen… thanks to my children!
What’s the movie that you can watch over and over again?
Easy, Top Gun! I’ve seen it at least five times now!
What’s your proudest moment so far?
One of my proudest moments was when our restaurant, Entier, received a Michelin Selection. It was a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team.
Café latte or kopi?
Café latte!
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