4 Foodies

Four people; four opinions; one mission: tasting as much of Sabah as possible, finding the perfect balance between service, taste and value for money.

The four of us have been through several adventures together, our biggest one to date, last year (2007′s) World Rain Forest Music Festival in Kuching. Although we didn’t technically go there together (and I have no pictures to prove it), those are mere technicalities; we were there, together, ok?

J1 – Jaco

Alphabetically I’m the first one of the 4. I’m a bit of a service industry victim. Like many people, one of my first jobs was as a waiter, and therefore when I’m critical of service staff, it’s not because I’m demanding, but it’s because I was where they are, and I know how easy it is to please a client.

After I was a waiter at a steak ranch when I was 17 years old, I worked on the confectionery counter of a cinema. Sure, my main motivation was free movies, but I also had to serve people and make them buy more than they wanted to. So when I rate places poorly for slow service, not brining everyone food out all together and not paying attention, it’s because I know that’s what you have to do to get your customer smiling, coming back and, best of all, leaving a big tip – I know, because I’ve been there myself.

J2 – John

Full time food lover, part time engineer, John gives honest opinions in subtle tones. A big softy at heart, he criticizes gently, but he criticizes nevertheless. Between the extremes of J1 and J3, John usually sways opinions either way with his objective observations and subjective opinions.

Hailing from west Malaysia, most notably nearby the culinary Mecca of Malaysia, Penang, John has been around the food and beverage block a few times and can often give insightful background information on what it is we’re stuffing down our gullets. Always softening the sharp edges of criticism with soft, round corners of silver lining, John is the reason we often don’t come across a pompous assholes.

J3 – Julia

Foodie extraordinary, Julia knows good food. A bit of a culinary whiz in the kitchen herself, she appreciates tastes, aromas, textures and presentation in almost equal amounts. Not to say that the fine dining location will always trump the kopi tiam, because Julia appreciates the fact that most unexpected culinary feast will often be stumbled upon in the most unlikely places.

Sabahan by blood and birth, Julia was destined to love food, and has taken it upon herself to find the culinary truffles hidden in the dining forest that is Sabah. Harbouring a serious sweet tooth, Julia not only dissects starters, soups and main courses, but keeps her second stomach perpetually at the ready for a spot of dessert.

Honorary J4 and true P1 – Phyllis

Recently working herself to death with not much time for the finer things in life, Phyllis is a tranquil cookie who lends a subtle emphasis to the unique opinions of the group. At one with her body, mind and spirit, Phyllis appreciates the impact of any given meal on the self.

Sabahan by birth and worldly by travel Phyllis culinary expertise is as diverse as her life’s experiences. Having tasted the western approach to food and beverage, Phyllis highly rates quick service, hot food and value for money.