In the bustling world of hospitality, where every detail contributes to the overall dining experience, individuals like MICHELIN Selected Gai by Darren Chin's Wan Zulkifeli shine brightly. So much so that it has earned the recognition of the 2024 MICHELIN Guide Service Award presented by FunNow, the official booking partner of the MICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
The award aims to highlight and encourage skilled and talented professionals who dramatically add to the customer experience. His recent recognition isn’t just a testament to his personal excellence but also a celebration of the often unsung heroes in the restaurant industry. FunNow enhances the guest experience through its seamless booking experience, allowing restaurants such as Gai by Darren Chin to manage reservations better, hereby elevating the overall quality of service.
A Veteran in Hospitality
Before joining the team at Gai by Darren Chin, Zulkifeli, who is half-Thai, had quite the journey in the hospitality industry, spanning about twenty years.
Prior to entering the food and beverage sector, he developed his people skills in the hotel industry first. It all started back in 2004 at the Hotel Equatorial Bangi, where he kicked off his career as a steward. Then, Zulkifeli hopped around to some big-name spots. Jumping from one major hotel chain to another. In between, he also managed to squeeze in a stint at a fine-dining restaurant.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, Zulkifeli was retrenched from his last hotel job and found himself working for independent restaurants. For him, restaurants of this style gave him a sense of freedom and agency. “If I had any ideas, I could immediately communicate them with the owners or bosses, as opposed to big hotels, there were so many layers I had to go through.”
Now, with a wealth of experience under his belt from both hotels and fine dining, Zulkifeli brings his unique blend of expertise to Gai by Darren Chin, a MICHELIN Selected restaurant in Kuala Lumpur that serves northern Thai food.
“I’m half Thai. My mom is Thai, and my father is from Kelantan. I like Thai food and I love their culture. So, you could say we are a match made in heaven.”
A Match Made in Heaven
Zulkifeli began working at Gai by Darren Chin in October 2022, not long after the restaurant opened its doors in April that year. The restaurant is the brainchild of Malaysia’s culinary giant, Darren Chin, who runs two other MICHELIN-recognised spots, DC. by Darren Chin and Bref by Darren Chin.
Gai by Darren Chin is a heartfelt tribute to Chin's wife, Nana, and her roots in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Gai translates to "chicken" in Thai, and restaurant's cuisine reflects their shared passion for authentic Thai flavours, with meticulously sourced fresh ingredients from both Malaysia and Thailand. Each dish reimagines traditional recipes with creativity and care, delivering a delightful fusion of salty, sweet, spicy, and sour tastes. Signature highlights include the indulgent fried crab omelette, the aromatic seafood tom yum, and the juicy Thai-style wagyu steak.
Gai by Darren Chin emanates a warm, familial ambience, encouraging diners to gather and relish dishes meant for sharing with loved ones. It’s no surprise then that Zulkifeli — himself a family man with four children — can effortlessly foster this welcoming atmosphere throughout the establishment.
“I aim to make the customer feel as comfortable as possible. We treat our diners like how we treat our family since the patrons are mostly made up of regulars. They come in and they talk to the chef, they say hi to me. It’s as if we’ve all known each other for a while,” says Zulkifeli.
Ensuring Excellence in the Team
While Zulkifeli's service prowess may seem innate due to his extensive experience, how does he make sure that his standards are upheld by the rest of his team?
The answer lies in the briefs and training he gives every day before the shift starts. Every hour before the lunch or dinner service begins, he will go over the guests' preferences and brief the team on what to look out for during their shift.
“We will do whatever we can to make sure every guest is happy, from memorising their preferences to understanding their body language.”
For Zulkifeli, the aim is to make guests feel as though they are the only ones in the restaurant, with undivided attention and privacy. “I want our diners to feel like everything they need is there. They don’t need to raise their hands or even make eye contact to get service,” he says. “I want my team to understand the body language of our customers — so they intuitively know what they need.”
“I want to create a dining experience where it feels like it's only your table in the restaurant. Whatever they want, it’s there, and we’re ready to serve.”
The training at Gai by Darren Chin isn't just Zulkifeli passing on his expertise to the team; he's all about fostering a culture of shared learning. Before each dinner service, he gets the team together for briefings, where they dive into various topics.
Zulkifeli's trick? He assigns each member a topic to research about and present to the rest of the crew. According to him, this not only gets everyone pumped but also makes them feel empowered. "When people gain knowledge, they become more confident in their work," he says. “I also encourage them to do research on other MICHELIN restaurants, just so they can learn about the practices of other established places.”
An Unexpected Win
Despite their dedication to excellence, Zulkifeli admits he was caught off-guard by the MICHELIN win. "We didn’t expect to because we aren’t really a fine dining restaurant, and I thought these awards usually go to those places," he confesses. "To be honest, it wasn’t even our aim. We do this purely because we love what we do. All we aimed for was to treat our customers as best as we can, and to take care of our customers just like how we take care of our family "
However, the impact of the award on the team cannot be denied. “It serves as recognition and validation of the team's dedication to providing exceptional service,” Zulkifeli acknowledges. “Receiving the MICHELIN Guide Service Award is not only a source of pride for the team, but it also boosts morale and motivation.”
With Gai by Darren Chin's expansion to Petaling Jaya, Zulkifeli now oversees two teams. But he's up for the challenge. "I want to achieve more with my team," he says enthusiastically. "I’m falling in love with what I’m doing every day. I love to see every new guest, I love to make all the guests happy, and I love being around my supportive team members."
Header image is by Michelin. All other images are courtesy of Gai by Darren Chin's Wan Mohd Zulkifeli
Delicious food is everywhere and available at any time of the day in Malaysia. Don't forget to book your seats through online platforms such as FunNow to skip the queues and waiting times!
Gai by Darren Chin is located at 26A Lorong Datuk Sulaiman 1, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, 60000, Malaysia. Book your table via FunNow here.
