Food for thought
Jeremy Lee wants to make the world a happier place, one burger at a time.
JEREMY Lee grew up reading The Star newspaper and remembers doing so fondly.
“Star2, especially, was one of my main sources of entertainment, whether it was the comics section or daily features. I also enjoyed reading the food features in Metro, and Flavours magazine holds a very nostalgic place in my heart!”
The amiable chap explains that his mother would make a monthly excursion to the nearest sundry shop, Lee in tow, to get a copy of the local food magazine. “We still have them all stacked up in our house somewhere!”
Now the marketing manager at myBurgerLab, Lee joined the burger shop when it first opened in 2012, and continued to work there part-time while he completed his tertiary education. “After graduation, I was offered a fulltime role at myBurgerLab starting in January 2014 – and I said yes.”
The 24-year-old is hardworking and enthusiastic. If you meet him, you’re likely to be impress-ed by his work ethic and courteous nature. It’s not everyday one meets a millennial who is so driven and ambitious, yet willing to roll up his sleeves to get the job done.
The SMK Damansara Jaya alumnus signed up for a Diploma in Hospitality at KDU University College after SPM, and later completed his degree there with a major in International Tourism.
“MyBurgerLab is my first permanent job,” he says. “But I had previously done a five-month internship at Mezze Bar & Bistro in Damansara Heights (Kuala Lumpur).
“I worked in the restaurant, the bar and kitchen, and it definitely opened my eyes to the F&B industry in Malaysia. I didn’t just learn to survive working in a professional kitchen, I really enjoyed it too! And it’s something which I’m quite proud of even until today.”
Currently residing in Subang Jaya, Selangor, with his family, Lee shares how, while growing up, he spent a lot of time in the kitchen helping mum cook dinner.
“This sparked my passion for food and cooking. It’s the process of creating something delicious which brings people together, and then seeing the enjoyment food brings.
“I also get really excited when food is done well, whether it’s something simple like a char kuay teow, or fancier dishes that may seem more complex.”
Lee loves his job at MyBurgerLab because it allows him to work closely with food.
“Creating new flavours, new dishes, and seeing the expressions of customers who have just tried it for the first time, that’s a great feeling for me. Especially when it’s something out of the ordinary or something playful that brings out the inner child in everyone.
“Making people happy is addictive; and it drives us to continue working harder for our fans and customers.”
When Lee originally joined MyBurgerLab full time, he was operations manager and did that for two years before transferring to the new marketing department created to support the growth of the business. Today, there are about 11 members on the MyBurgerLab core team with another 30 full-time staff and 120 part-timers running the “labs” on a monthly basis. Drive by their stores, and you’re likely to see long queues patiently waiting to get one of their juicy burgers. Lee’s favourite?
“My favourite staff meal is the Elvis! It has blueberry jam and peanut butter paired with a cheddar beef patty which creates a savoury yet sweet combination in a burger. I sometimes take it a step further by adding a hash brown for additional crunch, and some ‘red sauce’ for spicy heat. The combination of textures and sweet, savoury and spicy flavours might seem pretty funky, but it works!”
It’s no wonder that one of the things he loves best about living in Malaysia is the food.
“It’s the best by-product of our cultural diversity – where else do you have multiple cuisine choices and an excuse to eat throughout the day?
“I enjoy the fact that I can go out with an Indian or Malay friend and share their culture – be it through the sharing of a meal or the celebration of a festive occasion together. The opportunity to gain perspective from another culture fascinates me, and through this process I believe one learns to empathise and be more accepting of each other.”
Lee may only be starting out in his career and adult life, but he already has a wonderful outlook.
“I believe in keeping life simple but striving to do your best daily, and through that process, impact the lives of the people around you. Work with excellence and integrity and, while doing so, make a difference in the community around you.”