How the Life in the Kitchen Chose Leen’s Ameer Alzalek

Ameer Alzalek, Head Chef & Owner, Leen’s Middle East Kitchen

22-Feb-24 10:00

How the Life in the Kitchen Chose Leen’s Ameer Alzalek

Pause
Embed

Syrian-born chef Ameer Alzalek’s journey into the culinary world was not always on the cards, but a ripple effect from war that pushed Ameer to leave Syria around 11 years ago. The former accountant from Damascus then found his way to Malaysia, where he says the life in the kitchen chose him as jobs were few and far between.

Ameer explored the culinary scene in Penang and Langkawi, reportedly getting his break at a boutique hotel at Langkawi, before venturing on his own with Leen’s Middle East Kitchen following his experience with Ember Modern Bistro where he refined his view on food. Starting as a pop-up selling charred hummus, today Ameer runs 2 restaurants in TTDI - Leen’s Middle East Kitchen and recently opened up S.A.J Bistronomy by Leen’s.

Today on Open For Business, you will learn more about Ameer’s journey, how he built his culinary career and subsequent restaurants, lessons learnt along the way, and his plans ahead.

Produced by: Roshan Kanesan

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan

This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories: food, entrepreneurs, markets

Tags: ofbbb2023, fnb, restaurants, culinary, entrepeneurs, restaurant business,

Today’s Shows

6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy, Mizuho Bank tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Imran Yusof, Head of Research, MBSB Research gives us an outlook for Malaysia's oil & gas sector in 2026.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Sabrina Firdaus Aloysius, Senior Executive of Research from IDEAS, shares insights into how influencers shape Malaysia’s political conversations.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

H.E. Gerhard Eisl, Austrian Ambassador to Malaysia, discusses how Austria’s culture, innovation, and opportunities are strengthening ties with Malaysia.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Dr. Joanne Orlando of Western Sydney University discusses the impact of Australia’s historic under-16 social media ban.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh, President of the Association Private Hospitals Malaysia, discusses the government’s ongoing review of the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy, Mizuho Bank tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) We take a look at the FBM KLCI as well as regional capital markets.

9:35 AM

Ringgit & Sense

Kimberly Law, co-founder and licensed financial planner at Uno Advisers discusses what to do and what not to do with your first salary.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Weisheng Neo, General Partner, Qualgro

11:00 AM

Tech Talk

Bala Kumar, Chief Product & Technology Officer, Jumio

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Prashant Kumar, Founder, Entermind

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

H.E. Gerhard Eisl, Austrian Ambassador to Malaysia, discusses how Austria’s culture, innovation, and opportunities are strengthening ties with Malaysia.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Beyond the Ballot Box

Malaysia’s interethnic income inequality story is marked by decades of inconsistent policy focus and overly broad ethnic categories. We speak to Dr Lee Hwok-Aun about a better way to understand and frame the issue.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

For years, lung cancer has been a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. We hear about some lung health developments in Malaysia which may bring hope to patients.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

6:00 PM

Talkback Thursday

PROGRAMMES