Meet The M'sian Chef Behind 7-Eleven's Commissary And Its Innovative New Food Offerings
According to the chef, he'll also be collaborating with 7-Eleven Japan to incorporate their best practices into Malaysia's commissary.
By Imelda Priveta - 19 Jan 2024, 07:32 AM
Cover image via 7-Eleven (Provided to SAYS)
This Spotlight is sponsored by 7-Eleven.
Meet Chef Riza, a seasoned culinary expert with a rich background that weaves through diverse experiences, both locally and abroad
Image via 7-Eleven (Provided to SAYS)
Graduating from UiTM Terengganu in culinary arts, Chef Riza brings 19 years of expertise garnered from prestigious five-star hotel chains, private medical centres, national food science and service centres, as well as his experience in food delivery manufacturing and operations.
His journey has been marked by a keen eye for perfection, handling corporate events for royalty and celebrities, and setting higher standards in culinary creations. Now, as the torchbearer for 7-Eleven Malaysia's Commissary, Chef Riza shares his vision for revolutionising the convenience store's food offerings.
Chef Riza's motivation to join 7-Eleven Malaysia stemmed from the company's stellar reputation in the convenience food industry
Image via 7-Eleven (Provided to SAYS)
He saw this as an opportunity to share his culinary innovations with a wider audience, which could make his creations accessible to people across the nation.
His vision for the commissary revolves around building dream teams, implementing systematic processes, and delivering the best results. He believes that a meticulous transition plan that focuses on stability, consistency, and productivity will set the foundation for a culinary experience like no other.
Chef Riza also shared that he will be collaborating with 7-Eleven Japan to incorporate their advice and best practices into this culinary venture.
One of Chef Riza's goals is to weave local and sustainable ingredients into 7-Eleven's commissary menu
Image via 7-Eleven (Provided to SAYS)
By creating fresh and innovative dishes, he plans to incorporate seasonal local ingredients such as durians in durian rolls and bunga kantan in fried rice, giving a unique twist to 7-Eleven's offerings.
He knows that maintaining the highest quality and freshness in a fast-paced convenience store environment is no small feat. This is why Chef Riza makes sure that every aspect of the process, from procurement to packaging, is scrutinised. By setting up new machinery and reducing manual handling, the commissary aims for sustainability through consistent practices and reduced environmental impact.
Chef Riza also acknowledged the challenges in delivering exceptional fresh food offerings, especially concerning shelf life and temperature standards. However, with a dedicated team, stringent quality control, and standard operating procedures, he believes these challenges can be overcome.
Recognising 7-Eleven Malaysia's diverse customer base, Chef Riza plans to cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences
Image via 7-Eleven (Provided to SAYS)
He plans to do this by carefully analysing gaps in culinary preferences and gathering valuable data on their customers' tastes. Armed with this information, he believes that his team will be able to craft diverse menus that not only cater to his customers but also fill those gaps, ensuring a wide range of options to suit every palate.
Beyond the professional realm, Chef Riza gave us a glimpse into his personal life
Image via 7-Eleven (Provided to SAYS)
Born into a family restaurant, he mentioned that he assisted his mother a lot in the kitchen, which is how his passion for cooking ignited. Despite the sacrifices that come with being a chef, the joy of bringing people together through food kept him inspired.
Chef Riza's culinary journey was profoundly influenced by his mother's commitment and passion for cooking. He emphasises the importance of quality time over quantity and credits Chef Wan as his professional role model, sharing a memorable experience as a protege in a cooking competition.
As Chef Riza spearheads the culinary revolution at 7-Eleven Malaysia's commissary, he leaves behind a promise of exceptional quality, sustainability, and a diverse culinary experience for all.
Keep an eye out to see what unique creations he brings to 7-Eleven Malaysia next!
