05/07/2025
It's always good to hear stories like this.. The struggles one go through in achieving success & appreciating everyone that came along the way.
I will make sure to drop by at your cafe.
【Seven years ago】 we opened the doors of Say Cheese Cafe Bukit Jalil with big dreams and humble hearts. Back then, the idea of building a cozy spot where people could gather over hearty meals and warm smiles felt both exciting and terrifying. We poured everything we had into this little family restaurant — our time, energy, savings, and every ounce of love we could muster. We had no idea the journey ahead would test us in ways we could never have imagined.
The first year were a blur of long days and even longer nights. We worked more than 12 hours a day, often from the crack of dawn until the last chair was tucked in. Our feet ached, our backs burned, and yet we kept moving — because every satisfied customer reminded us why we started.
Then the lockdown came, like a storm sweeping everything in its path. We still remember the day we had to shut our doors for dine-in and left with as low as RM 200/day sales. The silence of an empty restaurant was deafening. Questions kept us awake at night: How long would this last? Would we ever reopen? Would we lose everything we’d built?
Those days were the darkest. Revenue stopped overnight, but bills didn’t. We tried delivery and takeaway, but it was never enough. We watched helplessly as friends in the industry closed their doors for good.
Our hearts broke with every story of another café or restaurant shutting down. But deep down, we knew we couldn’t give up.
So we adapted, day by day. We learned new recipes that traveled well for deliveries. We took turns being the driver, rushing orders to customers ourselves to save on costs. We sanitized everything, updated our SOPs, and kept our team’s spirits up even when ours were low 🥹. Some days, tears 😭 fell behind our masks 😷— but we wiped them away and kept going.
When the world started opening up again, so did our doors. We remember the first customer who walked in after months of silence. The smell of coffee brewing, the sound of laughter bouncing off the walls, the sight of familiar faces — it felt like life was breathed back into Say Cheese Cafe.
But reopening wasn’t the end of the struggle. We had to earn back every customer’s trust, prove our food quality, and reassure everyone that we were a safe place to return to. We trained our team tirelessly on hygiene, service, and the importance of a warm welcome. We worked side by side, day after day, with every plate we served reflecting our renewed commitment.
Behind the scenes, we missed countless birthdays, anniversaries, and family reunions. We know our families sacrificed as much as we did, waiting at home while we stayed at the restaurant until late. Some nights, we arrived home long after everyone had gone to bed. Other times, we woke so early, hearts heavy from the exhaustion of yesterday but determined to face another day.
We’ve learned that a restaurant is nothing without its people. Our TEAM, yes 💪🏼 our team is our backbone, our heartbeat, and our daily inspiration. They stood by us through the hardest days, smiling even when they were tired, staying patient with every demanding customer, and offering words of encouragement when we needed them most.
This 7th anniversary isn’t just a milestone for Say Cheese Cafe — it’s a testament to the power of teamwork. From the kitchen staff who keep every dish consistent, to the servers who greet each guest with a genuine smile, to those who quietly clean every corner so the café shines — we owe everything to our team. Every burnt finger, every blistered foot, every missed celebration was worth it because we shared it all together.
We also want to thank our customers. You’ve been patient when we were short-staffed. You cheered us on when you saw our struggles. You supported us with your orders, your kind words, and your loyalty. Some of you have been with us since the beginning, watching us grow and cheering us on like family. To every one of you who has dined with us, ordered takeout, or simply told your friends about us — thank you for keeping our dream alive.
Running a restaurant isn’t just about food; it’s about creating a space where memories are made. Over 7 years, we’ve watched first dates blossom into marriages, celebrated birthdays with you, comforted those who came in with heavy hearts, and shared countless laughs.
Say Cheese Cafe became more than a place for makan-makan — it became a part of your stories, and you became a part of ours.
We’ve learned patience in a whole new way. We’ve learned that sometimes a kind word or a listening ear can turn someone’s entire day around. We’ve learned that teamwork doesn’t just mean working together — it means supporting each other like family. And we’ve learned that passion alone isn’t enough; it takes grit, perseverance, and faith to stand tall through storms.
As we prepare to celebrate our 7th anniversary next month, our hearts are filled with gratitude. Grateful for our team, who never gave up. Grateful for our families, who sacrificed time with us. Grateful for our customers, who kept believing in us. And grateful for every challenge that taught us resilience.
We don’t know what the future holds, but we know this: as long as we have each other, we’ll keep growing, keep improving, and keep serving every meal with the love and care that started Say Cheese Cafe 7 years ago.
To our amazing team — this celebration is for you. Thank you for every drop of sweat, every moment of patience, and every act of kindness.
Thank you for carrying Say Cheese Cafe through the ups and downs. You are the reason we’re still here, stronger than ever.
Here’s to 7 years of laughter, tears, hard work, and unforgettable memories — and to many more years to come. Let’s keep making Say Cheese Cafe a place where everyone feels at home, where every meal is served with ❤️ love, and where dreams are always welcome.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of this journey.
❤️,
Chef David Wong
Say Cheese Cafe Bukit Jalil
12/02/2026
10/01/2026
04/01/2026
11/09/2025
10/09/2025
26/08/2025
15/08/2025
13/07/2025
07/07/2025
05/07/2025