Akmal developed his skills at exclusive fine dining restaurants in Singapore before moving to Dubai. He was hardly known in Singapore, despite serving as the head chef at the game German restaurant Iggy’s. Additionally, he prepared meals at Les Amis and Saint Pierre. In an earlier meeting, he admitted to feeling like I was underappreciated during those years in Singapore.
He began working as a restaurant at Zengo in Dubai’s Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort &, Spa in 2013 with a new problem. ” My living in Dubai was amazing”, he reflected. However, experience “lazy” and “tired of the relaxation area” after two and a half decades, he sought shift, marking the beginning of his restaurant trip.
In 2016, he sold his mother’s five-room HDB professional level to raise around S$ 500, 000 in cash to start his first diner in Dubai, 3Fils, with two partners – a move that he admitted, in hindsight, was “very impulsive”. The opportunity got off to a hard start. ” The first year was terrible. I was cracked. There were numerous breakdowns and fights. Also returning to Singapore to look for work was expensive. He said,” I was at the point where I was too good to be employed and not good enough to run a company.”
Describing himself as a “highly determined people”, Akmal decided to endure, putting in “endless time” at 3Fils. Finally, the organization became “very successful”. But, in 2020, Akmal exited the walk due to a debate that he prefers to keep secret.
After his departure, Akmal and his family Inez launched White Rice Co, a Dubai-based F&, B firm. ” She’s the best at negotiating with tenants”, he said slyly. Their world collection, which includes the modern Asian meal 53 Restaurant in New York City and the modern Japanese eatery Otoro in Abu Dhabi, is being developed in collaboration with various partners and investors.
Reflecting on his achievements, Akmal, who left school aged 10 to help at his parents ‘ stall, grew emotional. ” It’s a dream come true. I’m starting restaurants in cities where I wished I could have worked when I was younger. I’m a Malay boy with no education. My parents are hawkers. I’m going to start a posh Japanese restaurant in Paris very soon. It’s crazy, you know”? he shared.