Cover Huen Su San, Charmaine Wong, and Annabelle Co-Martinent head their own successful brands in F&B (Photos: Imran Sulaiman, @charmwasabi/Instagram, Annabelle Co-Martinent)
Huen Su San, Charmaine Wong, and Annabelle Co-Martinent head their own successful brands in F&B (Photos: Imran Sulaiman, @charmwasabi/Instagram, Annabelle Co-Martinent)
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Here are some of our favourite Malaysian brands that are led by women
Our local F&B industry is vast and flourishing, and behind some of these leading businesses are powerful women who honed in on their passions and have carved a niche for themselves in the dining scene.
Fighting stereotypes, marginalisation, and underrepresentation are just a few of the challenges they have to deal with and these five business owners show us what it's like to consistently show up and do what they love. From a cloud kitchen empire to a custom cake maker, let's meet them now.
Read more: International Women's Day 2023: 8 songs on our IWD music playlist
Cookhouse
Above Huen Su San was a Gen.T honouree in 2022 (Photo: Imran Sulaiman)
Above There are five Cookhouse locations across the Klang Valley (Photo: @cookhousemalaysia/Instagram)
Huen Su San was a Gen.T honouree in 2022 (Photo: Imran Sulaiman)
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Huen Su San leads the team at Cookhouse, a cloud kitchen and shared kitchen space hub. With Cookhouse, Huen lends a helping hand to small food businesses who lack the space and kitchen tools to allow for their businesses to take off.
On top of the shared kitchen spaces, dine-in areas, and help with startup costs, Cookhouse provides the necessary tools to develop small businesses that even include a co-working space for these entrepreneurs.
La Juiceria and Phuture Foods
Above Annabelle Co-Martinent joined Phuture Foods in 2022 (Photo: Annabelle Co-Martinent)
Above Phuture plant-based meats can be found at Hijau KL (Photo: @phuture_foods/Instagram)
Annabelle Co-Martinent joined Phuture Foods in 2022 (Photo: Annabelle Co-Martinent)
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Annabelle Co-Martinent is the co-founder of popular healthy food company La Juiceria, Vietnamese food chain Super Saigon, and "modern" kopitiam Hawker Hall. She currently serves as the chief marketing officer of plant-based meat company, Phuture Foods.
See also: Celebrating 8 women bartenders who are shaking things up
The Hungry Tapir
Above Makissa Smeeton and her mom, Cynthia Rodrigo, with their dog, Elly Tempeh (Photo: Makissa Smeeton)
Above The Hungry Tapir is a favourite for plant-based cuisine in KL's Chinatown (Photo: @thehungrytapir/Instagram)
Makissa Smeeton and her mom, Cynthia Rodrigo, with their dog, Elly Tempeh (Photo: Makissa Smeeton)
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A pioneer in the Malaysian plant-based food industry, The Hungry Tapir is led by mother-daughter duo Makissa Smeeton and Cynthia Rodrigo. The pair runs their business on the basis of mutual respect and equality.
Amazin' Graze
Above Amy Zheng, Sabrina How and Lee Ching Yi quit their corporate jobs in 2015 to establish Amazin' Graze (Photo: Amazin' Graze)
Above Amazin' Graze offers everything for hearty breakfast from nut butters to oatmeal (Photo: @amazingrazemy/Instagram)
Amy Zheng, Sabrina How and Lee Ching Yi quit their corporate jobs in 2015 to establish Amazin' Graze (Photo: Amazin' Graze)
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Amazin' Graze is a household name when it comes to breakfast staples like nut butters, oatmeal, and granola. Founded by Amy Zheng, Sabrina How and Lee Ching Yi, Amazin' Graze is now available in countries beyond Malaysia such as USA and Singapore.
Read more: 10 Malaysian women at the top of their industries
LinLin Cake Shop
Above Charmaine Wong has built a massive following with her cute vintage-inspired cakes (Photo: @charmwasabi/Instagram)
Above Cakes from LinLin Cake Shop are instantly recognisable with their signature figurines and distinct vintage style (Photo: @linlin_cake/Instagram)
Charmaine Wong has built a massive following with her cute vintage-inspired cakes (Photo: @charmwasabi/Instagram)
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LinLin Cake Shop is a major player in the local custom cake game. With her booking slots filled months ahead, Charmaine Wong is a highly sought-after cake maker who has garnered an impressive fanbase thanks to her adorable cakes that are equally delicious.
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Amanda is a KL-born and raised third culture kid, who lives to eat. If not found reading, writing for Tatler Dining, or snacking, she is most likely playing with her dog, Katsu, sourcing new Birkenstocks, or looking for a new restaurant to venture to.
Follow her on Instagram at @feedingamanda.
