KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — At the age of four, Leah Choy started baking to raise funds for her younger sister’s medical needs.
At the same time, she dreamt of opening her own cafe when she grew up and targeted to achieve the dream by the age of 26.
Fast forward to today, Choy is a 14-year-old teenager and she is moving closer to her dream.
To better prepare for the future restaurant, Choy will operate a cafe from her Alor Gajah home in Melaka in July but with a twist.
Why is she bringing forward her dream then?
Speaking to Malay Mail recently, Choy said besides preparing for her future eatery, it is also to raise funds for her culinary studies.
“I will be sitting for my IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) next year and I hope to be able to register for my further studies in two years.”
According to Choy, she wants to be able to take care of herself when she is furthering her studies.
“I do not want to fully rely on my parents. So the money I earn from the cafe would be put into my savings account.”
How does the eatery, which Choy has tentatively named Terima Kasih, work?
Choy said it will only be open three nights a month on a reservation basis.
“It will be menu-less but the cooking will either be Nyonya, Malay, Korean, Thai, Western or Chinese style.”
As it serves as training ground for Choy’s future cafe, she would not be able to serve up a storm and cater to big groups.
“The cafe is located at my home, hence I am only able to take up to a maximum of 10 persons per reservation.”
Choy said the menus would be rotated and when a date has been selected, guests would be informed on the cuisine they would get on the chosen date.
“For each month, there will be two family style dinners akin to reunion dinners and one course dinner.”
She added that the cafe is alcohol-free, pork-free and lard-free.
“We are also kid-friendly and specially-abled-people-friendly cafe,” she said.
Why did she name her cafe Terima Kasih?
Choy said it was to thank all her supporters that have been with her since she started baking.
“Over the past 10 years of my career, I have had people who support me endlessly; whether they’re buying my baked goods, giving me priceless advice or giving opportunities to grow my business,” she said, adding that she had learned to be thankful for the good and the bad.
How much do guests pay for such services then?
Choy said they do not believe in charging an insane amount for the food served.
“Guests will be given an estimate how much their meal would cost when they reserve their place,” she said, assuring that the food served would be of quality.
To ensure guests’ attendance, Choy would take deposits which would be refunded if they cannot turn up on the reserve date due to emergencies.
Since announcing her new venture, Choy said she had received her first reservation on July 22.
“I am excited and looking forward to it.”
Asked if she would continue baking, Choy said it would be continued as long as it does not clash with her other schedules.
It was previously reported that Choy began baking and selling cupcakes to raise funds for her sister Adele’s medical treatment.
At just two months, Adele was diagnosed with microcephaly and quadriplegia cerebral palsy; both life-long conditions characterised by seizures as well as problems with movement.
Choy won the Tuanku Bainun Young Changemakers Awards 2015, released her first book Chef Leah with a Big Heart in 2018 and continues to host cooking workshops for both adults and children.
To make your reservations, contact her at 01165347353. For further details, visit her Facebook..
