Taking Over Dad’s 42-Year Hawker Legacy | Hajjah Jamillah Rajmohamed Muslim Food

Summary

Syed and Bajar are dedicated stall owners, representing two generations of culinary tradition. Syed, after twelve years of working alongside his father, is preparing to take over the family business, introducing new dishes while respecting his father's legacy. Bajar, now 60, reflects on his 42 years of running the stall, and despite the occasional disagreements with Syed over orders and recipes, he is ready for retirement. Their story is one of family, hard work, and the passing of responsibility to the next generation, highlighting the challenges and joys of maintaining a legacy while evolving the business.

Takeaways

• 😀 Syed has been working at the family food stall for 12 years and is preparing to take over the business as the third-generation owner.
• 😀 Bajar, Syed's father, is 60 years old and reflects on his 42 years of running the food stall, acknowledging the need for help as he ages.
• 😀 Bajar used to run the stall by himself but now relies on Syed for support, especially as his health and energy decline.
• 😀 Syed often introduces new dishes to the menu but prefers not to inform his father in advance, fearing rejection.
• 😀 Despite their differences, Bajar values precision and perfection in the food they serve, and Syed respects this discipline, learning from it daily.
• 😀 Syed's approach to introducing new dishes is to surprise his father after the dishes are fully prepared, testing them out before getting feedback.
• 😀 Bajar is strict with the quality of food, insisting on perfection, but also silently admires Syed's innovative ideas when they work well.
• 😀 Bajar plans to retire and pass on the stall to Syed, hoping to relax and spend more time with his grandchildren after decades of hard work.
• 😀 Bajar expresses regret for not being more affectionate with his own children in the past, but has learned to be more loving with his grandchildren.
• 😀 Syed feels the weight of responsibility as he prepares to take over the family legacy, aiming to honor his father's hard work while improving the business.

Q & A

How does Syed come up with new dish ideas for the stall?

Syed comes up with new dish ideas by going to the library and studying cookbooks. He writes down his ideas and draws inspiration from these resources.

How long has Syed been working at the stall, and what are his future plans?

Syed has been working at the stall for almost 12 years with his father. He plans to take over the stall and continue the family legacy as the third-generation owner.

What challenges does Syed face with his father when introducing new dishes?

Syed faces challenges when introducing new dishes because he is concerned that his father might reject them. He prepares everything in advance and only presents the dish if he believes it will succeed.

How does Syed's father, Bajar, feel about the changes in the stall?

Bajar is proud of the new dishes Syed introduces, but he remains strict about ensuring every dish is made perfectly. He values tradition but acknowledges the need for improvement.

How has Bajar managed the stall over the years?

Bajar has been managing the stall for 42 years, initially working alone until his son joined. Now at 60 years old, he needs help from his son to continue running the stall effectively.

What kind of relationship do Syed and his father have at the stall?

Syed and his father have a relationship where they occasionally argue, especially about orders. However, there is mutual respect, and Syed learns from his father’s strict work ethic.

What does Syed hope to achieve when he takes over the stall?

Syed hopes to keep his father's legacy alive while gradually improving the stall. He aims to introduce more new dishes and ensure the business continues to thrive.

How does Bajar view his retirement and future plans?

Bajar plans to retire and pass the stall to his son. After retirement, he looks forward to spending time with his grandchildren and resting after decades of hard work.

What is Bajar’s reflection on his own parenting, and how does it influence his relationship with his grandchildren?

Bajar reflects on his past as a strict parent and recognizes that he didn’t show much affection when his children were young. Now, with grandchildren, he has learned to show more love and appreciation.

Why is Syed taking his time to introduce changes at the stall?

Syed is taking his time to introduce changes because he wants to ensure that the transition is smooth and that the stall is on the right track before making any big adjustments.