Thursday, 3 July 2025

Journalist makes the news selling ‘laksa’

Facebook
X
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email
Wilfred gives a thumbs up for the camera. - Photo: Alverdtekoster Anyap

LET’S READ SUARA SARAWAK/ NEW SARAWAK TRIBUNE E-PAPER FOR FREE AS ​​EARLY AS 2 AM EVERY DAY. CLICK LINK

KUCHING: Veteran journalist, Wilfred Pilo, has put pen and paper aside to indulge in his first love – cooking.

And the media practitioner who called it a day six months ago after having spent more than 20 years in the business, is winning rave reviews for his daily servings of laksa.

Wilf’s Laksa stall at Jun Jia Chin Café in the BDC Commercial Centre here is becoming a talking point, thanks to his passion for food and cooking.

Wilfred arranges the condiments into a bowl of laksa. – Photo: Alverdtekoster Anyap

“I have always loved culinary art and cooking,” said the 61-year-old, recalling how he had learnt how to cook when he was in the United Kingdom during his younger days.

“When you start cooking, you realise that you have a lot to learn and I picked up some experience in the food industry, especially in the fast food chain because I used to work at McDonald’s in Brighton,” he said.

He added that it was therefore just a matter of getting back to the routine, putting his previous work experience in the kitchen to good use.

Wilfed’s wife also had a role in his decision to open up a laksa stall.

“The landlord here who happens to know my wife said the previous operator of the stall had some medical issues.

“So, after a few days of consideration, we decided to take over the stall at the café on January 1.

“My wife who has been in the food industry for about eight years runs a home-based catering service,” he said.

To his credit, over the last six months, his business has been running smoothly, serving up to 30 to 40 customers a day, a challenge Wilfred relishes.

As a journalist, Wilfred often wrote about hawkers, food stalls, cafes and local restaurants across Sarawak, which inspired him to take the leap of faith.

“All these things made me want to do it myself, it’s a new profession for me but it’s something I want to do.

“I hope I can do it for as long as I can and I make sure my laksa always tastes the same. Also, my prices are very reasonable, I want people to enjoy my laksa at a reasonable price.

“Of course, the person behind all of this is my wife, who is a very hardworking person and has been helping me realise my passion,” he said.

“After 20 years in the media industry, of course I miss the buzz, the running around and going to events.

“But at some point in life, we have to move on. I’ve wanted to pursue my passion for food for a long time and now is the time.

“It’s always nice when friends from the media come by for my laksa. We get to catch up, even if only for a little while.

“This is a completely new experience for me, and while I do miss journalism, this is a new chapter that I’m excited about,” he said.

Related News

Most Viewed Last 2 Days