WIFE'S TRIBUTE TO RESTAURATEUR
BELOVED restaurateur Josh Budiman has been remembered by family and friends as a kind, gentle man who dedicated much of his passion to his community and business.
The founder of popular Indonesian street food restaurant Skewers died suddenly on Thursday after suffering a brainstem stroke, aged 41.
Mr Budiman had been working putting the final touches and plans in place to open a Skewers restaurant on the Gold Coast when he suffered the stroke.
He passed away in hospital surrounded by his family.
It was his youngest daughter’s sixth birthday.
His wife, Lindra Cahya, said she was comforted by the flow of tributes from the community
“It’s very tough,” she said. “He never gave up. He was such a kind person, so full of energy. So easy going, and very full of life.”
Mrs Cahya said Skewers in Toowoomba would continue trading as usual but would be closed on Wednesday for Mr Budiman’s funeral.
The Broadbeach store will still open as planned as it’s what he would want, she said.
She thanked the Toowoomba community for its support with hundreds of tributes and condolence messages left for her family on social media.
“There was something special about him,” she said.
“Instead of working for other people, he thought he’d try something else.
“There was nothing in Toowoomba that had Indonesian food, so that’s what he did.
“And he always wanted to hire local people.
“Josh loved Toowoomba, he said it was such a great community since we opened Skewers. He was just such a kind man.”
Hundreds of tributes and memories of Mr Budiman were shared on social media at the weekend.
“Josh was such an inspiration and great friend,” Nathan Coyle said.
“I will forever thank him for the opportunities he has given me. I will never forget that wonderful smile and laughter.”
Chris Ernst said: “Josh was such an amazing guy with an amazing positive spirit and attitude towards life.”
Skewers is an awesome place and he started something very wonderful in Toowoomba,” Kathryn Cooper wrote.
Friends and family are invited to the funeral at New Hope Church Toowoomba on Wednesday, from 10am.