In this episode we sat down with Zenda Ng, CEO of HWC Coffee. She started HWC Coffee three and a half years ago, and the company now has 80 outlets across Malaysia and two international outlets at Brunei.
Zenda shares her extensive 18-year journey in the F&B industry, detailing how she started as a reseller of cookies at age 11, then began producing her own, and later ran her first halal restaurant.
This entrepreneurial journey led to her co-founding HWC Coffee in 2022, opening 15 outlets within the first nine months.
Chapters
1:33 - Welcome to Cari Makan Podcast
1:56 - Introducing Zenda, CEO of HWC Coffee
2:48 - Background Before HWC: 18+ Years in the Halal F&B Industry
4:14 - Starting as a Reseller of Cookies at Age 11
4:50 - Producing and Selling Cookies at the Pasar by Age 13
6:57 - Academic Journey: Diploma in Business in Singapore
7:58 - Working Full-Time (New Zealand Milk) and Studying Part-Time in Singapore
8:36 - F&B Roles in Singapore: Five-Star Hotel and Food Courts (Western, Japanese Food)
10:17 - Deciding to Start Own Business in Malaysia Before Age 30
10:35 - Giving Up High-Paying Corporate Job
11:50 - The Two-Year Deadline and Singapore Backup Plan
12:17 - First Restaurant Concept: Halal-Certified Malaysian Local Food
14:18 - Opening the Second Outlet: The Toughest Challenge
17:21 - Surviving the Second Outlet Challenge Leads to Growth (Third, Fourth Outlets)
17:41 - MCO Hits the Business
19:30 - Diversifying Revenue with Catering Business
21:03 - MCO Impact
22:50 - Closing Outlets and Relying on the Central Kitchen
23:23 - Emotional Sharing: The Challenge of the Journey
24:31 - Leadership: Accepting Staff Strengths, Weaknesses, and Mistakes
25:14 - The Pivot During MCO: Starting Nasi Lemak Distribution (RM 1.30 per packet)
26:28 - HWC Founder Approaches Zenda to Start the Coffee Business (2021)
27:52 - HWC Coffee's Launch: First Outlet in 1 Utama (April 2022)
29:20 - Fast Growth: 15 Outlets in 9 Months, Plus 35 Outlets in the Second Year
29:38 - Success Factor: Post-MCO Consumer Desire for Quality Products (Specialty Coffee)
30:54 - Subscription Model Explained: Becoming a "Coffee Hunter" through the App
32:15 - Market Change: The Impact of AI in F&B (Design, Location Finding, Customer Analysis)
33:41 - Biggest Challenge in F&B: Competition
35:07 - Future Plans for HWC: Opening More Outlets to Improve Accessibility for Subscribers
37:34 - Future of Catering Business: Expanding to Other States Beyond Klang Valley
39:06 - Entrepreneurial Tips: People, Product (Important, but Not Everything), and Business Model
39:29 - Business Model Differentiates You from Competitors
39:49 - Good Food is Not Enough for Business Success
40:10 - Speaking at Food Print Expo: Sharing Motivation and Realities of F&B Journey
41:52 - Mantra: If There's a Will, There's a Way
42:16 - Appreciation for the Candid Sharing and Journey
42:41 - Zenda is a Speaker at the FoodPreneur Expo
43:09 - FoodPreneur Expo Details
43:39 - Outro and Call to Action
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Kisah sebenar disebalik industri F&B dan bagaimana mereka "Cari Makan" bersama Rhys William (Mat Salleh Cari Makan), Founder MSCM Studios 🎙️🍛 Available in Bahasa Melayu and English
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HWC MALAYSIA
https://www.hwccoffee.my/
https://www.instagram.com/hwc_malaysia/
https://www.tiktok.com/@hwccoffeemy
https://www.facebook.com/HWCmalaysia/
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FoodPreneur Expo 2025
https://foodicious.com.my/foodpreneur
https://www.instagram.com/foodpreneur.expo
https://www.tiktok.com/@foodpreneur.expo
https://www.facebook.com/foodpreneurexpo
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Cari Makan Podcast
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carimakanpodcast
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@carimakanpodcast
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CHEF SHAFIK. Bermula dari minat memasak dari kecil, beliau membina karier dari bawah sehingga berjaya meraih kepercayaan menjadi Group Executive Chef di Kay’s Steak & Lobster dan Fiel Charcoal Grillhouse. Kisah bagaimana Chef Shafik sampai ke tahap ini memang patut kita inspirasikan.
Dalam episod kali ini, Chef Shafik mengajar kita untuk sentiasa belajar dan bersaing supaya sentiasa kehadapan. Kami juga berborak bagaimana Kay’s Steak & Lobster dapat grow dengan strategi yang berkesan sehingga ke hari ini.
Apa lagi? Jom kita layan.
Chapters
5:49 - Intro
5:58 - Guest introduction and background
10:33 - Kepentingan networking
12:39 - First job sebagai chef di mana?
16:12 - Kembali ke Kuala Lumpur
19:31 - Mula perjalanan bersama Kay’s
24:00 - Berapa banyak outlet masa mula join?
24:59 - Kenapa sijil Halal itu penting
28:45 - Arah tuju & konsep makanan di Kay’s
30:52 - Ubahsuai mengikut local taste tapi kekalkan authenticity
38:44 - Dari kerja backend ke urus team
41:58 - Beri ruang generasi baru
44:27 - Belajar untuk let go
45:57 - Apa next step untuk Kay’s
50:47 - Nasihat untuk small business owners dan penonton
56:27 - Harapan untuk masa depan industri F&B
1:00:40 - Closing remarks
1:02:00 - Outro
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Kisah sebenar disebalik industri F&B dan bagaimana mereka "Cari Makan" bersama Rhys William (Mat Salleh Cari Makan), Founder MSCM Studios 🎙️🍛 Available in Bahasa Melayu and English
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Chef Shafik
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mohd.shafik.3557/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mohdshafik_mohdtaufik80/
Website - https://www.kaysteaklobster.com/
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Cari Makan Podcast
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carimakanpodcast
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@carimakanpodcast
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This podcast is proudly brought to you by MSCM Studios
https://mscm.my/
📲 Whatsapp us at +601123043526 to see how we can grow your social media
NAZRUDIN RAHMAN. Pengalaman 25 tahun di dalam industri hiburan dan 10 tahun menjadi muka utama rancangan terkemuka TV3, “Jalan Jalan Cari Makan” merupakan suatu yang begitu membanggakan. Naz bercerita dari mana bermulanya beliau “cari makan”.
Dalam episod kali ini, Naz memberi pandangan berbeza mengenai “food review” dari kaca mata personaliti TV. Perjalanan karier Naz juga memberi inspirasi kepada kami di Cari Makan Podcast dan bagaimana beliau mengekalkan nama di dalam industri sehingga meraih tempat sebagai hos AJL39 pada tahun ini.
Jom kita dengarkan!
Chapters
5:56 - Intro
6:08 - Guest introduction and background
21:22 - Bila first masuk program makan?
25:35 - Niche
28:42 - Cara spin kontroversi jadi feedback membina
30:35 - Bina reputasi vs cari kontroversi
34:44 - Masak dari hati yang ikhlas
36:28 - Budaya makanan Malaysia
39:49 - Macam mana nak kekalkan budaya makanan untuk Gen Z
45:05 - Berapa banyak kedai Naz dah review masa Jalan Jalan Cari Makan?
46:53 - Boleh agak tak kedai tu akan bertahan ke tak?
50:47 - Adakah makanan sedap saja dah cukup?
53:35 - Harga makanan: trendy food vs makanan tradisional
56:28 - Kekalkan expectation pelanggan - SUSTAINABILITY
58:35 - Success & failure dalam kerjaya
1:09:23 - Nasihat yang berguna
1:14:36 - Makanan kegemaran Naz
1:17:35 - Outro
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Kisah sebenar disebalik industri F&B dan bagaimana mereka "Cari Makan" bersama Rhys William (Mat Salleh Cari Makan), Founder MSCM Studios 🎙️🍛 Available in Bahasa Melayu and English
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Nazrudin Rahman
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nazrudinrahman/?hl=en
Twitter - https://twitter.com/nazrudinrahman
Facebook Fan Page - https://www.facebook.com/Nazrudin-Rahman-129704447100699/
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Cari Makan Podcast
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carimakanpodcast
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@carimakanpodcast
_____________________________________________________________
This podcast is proudly brought to you by MSCM Studios
https://mscm.my/
📲 Whatsapp us at +601123043526 to see how we can grow your social media
HUNGRY SAM. Adakah dia seorang content creator, influencer, atau food reviewer? Sam konsisten buat konten ‘from zero’ sehinggalah namanya dikenali pada hari ini. Semuanya bermula dari rasa ‘shy’ bercakap depan kamera di public tapi lama kelamaan dia berjaya untuk push diri sendiri dan improve kualiti video sehingga ke hari ini.
Dalam episod kali ni, Sam bercerita mengenai bagaimana dia handle kontroversi, mempertahankan value dan integriti dan membongkar realiti sebenar untuk menghasilkan konten berkualiti dalam dunia media yang laju berkembang sekarang.
Jangan terlepas!
Chapters
7:49 - Intro
8:01 - Guest introduction and background
9:01 - How do you “cari makan”?
9:56 - Apa yang buat Sam rasa nak mula buat content
14:41 - Overcoming rasa malu
17:57 - Bila mula nampak video dapat sambutan
21:50 - Perbezaan buat content dulu vs sekarang
24:53 - Where do you see the future of your content?
31:12 - Controversial content
35:08 - Apa akan buat kalau viral kontroversi terjadi
37:12 - Tips untuk content creators baru: handling crisis & backlash
40:14 - Are you a content creator, influencer, or food reviewer?
41:14 - Review vs Promote
46:46 - Principle, Integrity & Value
53:10 - Content kita suka vs content yang audience suka
1:01:03 - Nasihat untuk orang yang nak jadi content creator
1:02:53 - Boleh ke content creation jadi career?
1:05:33 - Nasihat kepada diri sendiri 3 tahun lepas
1:07:00 - Closing remarks
1:07:17 - Outro
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Kisah sebenar disebalik industri F&B dan bagaimana mereka "Cari Makan" bersama Rhys William (Mat Salleh Cari Makan), Founder MSCM Studios 🎙️🍛 Available in Bahasa Melayu and English
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Hungry Sam
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@HungrySam22
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hungry_sam22/?hl=en
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hungrysam_oe?lang=en
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/Hungry-Sam-61558920064723/
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Cari Makan Podcast
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carimakanpodcast
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@carimakanpodcast
_____________________________________________________________
This podcast is proudly brought to you by MSCM Studios
https://mscm.my/
📲 Whatsapp us at +601123043526 to see how we can grow your social media
Chef Syamil from Chef Off Duty takes us through his journey from fine dining kitchens to cruise ship gigs, starting his own venture, and now, making waves on Twitter as @ButterAlways92
We take a closer look at his world - the hard work behind the scenes, what really happens in the kitchen, and the parts of the food industry people rarely see.
Let’s get into it.
Chapters
2:33 - Intro
2:45 - Guest introduction and background
4:05 - How the F&B journey started
8:12 - Choosing to become a chef
10:35 - First job in the F&B industry
13:51 - Importance of having a generalist skillset
15:57 - Next career move
21:26 - Challenges of starting a first venture
27:04 - Starting “Makan Besar”
33:06 - The role of feedback
36:59 - Transition into content creation
45:05 - Responsibility of content creators to educate
46:49 - Ratings, reviews, and criteria
50:53 - Performance of food reviewers in Malaysia’s F&B scene
54:32 - Raising awareness among creators about food education
56:31 - Dealing with backlash
1:01:26 - Advice for content creators
1:03:19 - Advice for newcomers in F&B
1:05:05 - Closing remarks
1:07:23 - Outro
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Kisah sebenar disebalik industri F&B dan bagaimana mereka "Cari Makan" bersama Rhys William (Mat Salleh Cari Makan), Founder MSCM Studios 🎙️🍛 Available in Bahasa Melayu and English
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Chef Off Duty
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chefoffduty.my/
X - https://x.com/ButterAlways92 _____________________________________________________________
Cari Makan PodcastInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/carimakanpodcast
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@carimakanpodcast
_____________________________________________________________
This podcast is proudly brought to you by MSCM Studios
📲 Whatsapp us at +601123043526 to see how we can grow your social media
In this second episode, we’re joined by a special guest with extensive experience in corporate F&B and who also owns a well-known halal cafe in KL - Fox Paradox.
Join us for an insightful conversation with Neil, as we unpack the realities of running a food business in Malaysia.
Chapters
2:39 - Intro
2:52 - Guest background & intro
7:55 - First independent venture
10:25 - Lessons from the first store
12:24 - Entering corporate F&B
14:22 - Between passion and burnout
16:53 - Good 'Food & Beverage' VS 'Interior Design'
18:33 - The story behind Fox Paradox Café
22:57 - Why a halal certificate is more than just paperwork
27:43 - Team management
30:31 - Learning to let go
34:29 - The biggest challenge as a business owner
37:40 - Overcoming those challenges
45:31 - Advice to the younger Neil
47:42 - Advice for other business owners
50:30 - Future plans
52:41 - Closing remarks
59:17 - Outro
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Kisah sebenar disebalik industri F&B dan bagaimana mereka "Cari Makan" bersama Rhys William (Mat Salleh Cari Makan), Founder MSCM Studios 🎙️🍛 Available in Bahasa Melayu and English
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Fox Paradox Cafe
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_foxparadox
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@foxparadox_kl
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Cari Makan Podcast
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carimakanpodcast
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@carimakanpodcast
Kisah sebenar disebalik industri F&B dan bagaimana mereka "Cari Makan" bersama Rhys William (Mat Salleh Cari Makan), Founder MSCM Studios 🎙️🍛 Available in Bahasa Melayu and English
Episod pertama ini, kami bawakan khas pemilik Lot.15 Cafe yang bertempat di Nilai, Negeri Sembilan iaitu Abdul Rahman! Betul ke bisnes cafe hipster ni mudah je nak buat?
Chapters
00:32 - Intro
01:45 - Macam mana Man "cari makan"?
02:39 - Kenapa pilih untuk masuk F&B?
08:45 - Belajar pasal team
09:51 - Keputusan untuk masuk ke cafe
12:58 - Apa maksud hipster cafe?
16:08 - Pendapat pada cafe yang hanya tumpang trend "hispter"
18:32 - Apa yang paling banyak belajar?
21:10 - Cara tangani "fussy" customer
23:45 - Manage customer expectation apabila "viral"
30:58 - Konsep makanan di cafe
35:45 - Beza pasta Lot.15 Cafe dengan cafe lain
39:54 - Rancangan akan datang
47:06 - Macam mana kekalkan kualiti?
48:03 - Nasihat kepada business owner yang nak "step away" dari manage business
54:29 - Nasihat kepada diri sendiri yang lebih muda
58:04 - Pesanan terakhir dari Abdul Rahman
1:00:03 - Outro
Berminat untuk menaja episod Cari Makan Podcast? Boleh whatsapp +6012 944 0122 atau email kami di mscm@wtechmedia.com
Lot.15 Cafe
Instagram - @lot.15_cafe
Facebook - @lot15cafe
TikTok - @lot15cafe _____________________________________________________________
Cari Makan Podcast
Instagram - @carimakanpodcast
TikTok - @carimakanpodcast