Siti Kader and Shareen Ramli defy the conventional notions of a stepmother-daughter relationship through their love for food at Siti Li Dining.
My Siti Li Dining experience starts with a heavenly whiff of butter and that fragrant mingling of meat, spices, and fire, the very moment I push through the doors of the Malay contemporary restaurant. Before me stand two familiar smiling faces, holding a tray of freshly fried curry puffs on a bed of banana leaves, as cups of frothy teh tarik in intricate ceramic cups sit on the table. These curry puffs hold a more symbolic status than its fame as a humble Malaysian pastry—they kick-started the story of Siti Li about a decade ago when Shareen Ramli got a taste of the culinary talents of Siti Kader, her stepmother. It was Shareen who insisted that Siti’s knowledge of Malay culture and cooking had to be shared with the greater community.
“Someone once told my sister, Noreen [Ramli], that only after 10 years in the food and beverage industry, will you realize you’ve finally grasped the knowledge of running a business,” Shareen says. Having grown up in a family that cultivated her passion for food, taking over the F&B operations of Ascott Kuala Lumpur from her father back in 2004, Shareen has been a female force in the male-dominant industry since the early noughties. “Food is a complex subject, and people are still very naive in the understanding of feeding people food and giving them an ‘experience’. It’s a big responsibility, and this translates to the decisions that you make. It’s not just about showcasing skills,” she expresses.
FOOD FOR THE SOUL
This story is from the April 2019 edition of Harper's Bazaar Malaysia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2019 edition of Harper's Bazaar Malaysia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
IN CONVERSATION WITH Nazhan Fikri & Khabir Roslan
We paired two emerging Malaysian artists for an interview, allowing them to delve into each other's artistic worlds.
Crème de la crème
Refined furnishings, eye-catching accents and extravagant proportions reign supreme at the interiorarchitect Dara Huang's Chelsea home.
LIGHTS, CAMERA, PASSION
Korean actor and heartthrob Lee Min Ho talks about the difference between Hollywood and Korean productions, taking on as many roles as possible, and why he's saving the Northern Lights for later.
Out of this WORLD
Omega adds some cosmic wonder into its celestial-inspired Constellation watches.
The Next CHAPTER
The Deep Time high jewellery collection from Louis Vuitton enters its spectacular second episode.
Wet to Dry
Dyson introduces the Airstrait\" straightener-a revolutionary tool for effortlessly achieving straight hair from wet to dry.
In Full BLOOM
The iconic Prada Galleria is reimagined with whimsical floral embellishments.
Maritime SUMMER
Embrace the easy elegance of nautical fashion with sleek seaside ensembles accompanied by equally chic accessories.
JUST FOR HUE
Bar Trigona is set to delight with its chromatic themed cocktail concoctions.
CLASSIC , WITH A TWIST
Maddy Barber shares the importance of stories in both interior and jewellery design, finding delightful surprises when you least expect them.