One would think that opening a restaurant during this difficult time would be highly inadvisable.
However, that certainly did not stop Ilangovin Sundram from turning his passion for cooking into his first catering business – BCS Catering.
And if that is not an amazing feat already, he is also using his Sungai Buloh-based business to help feed frontliners working at nearby Sg Buloh Hospital.
Up to recently, he had little to no involvement in the culinary world, but like many others, Covid-19 changed everything.
“For 20 years, I worked for a well-known direct selling company that sells educational products for kids. However, when the pandemic took hold, I was laid off without warning,” he told FMT.
Unemployed and with a family to feed, Ilangovin set out to realise his almost-forgotten dream.
“Cooking was always my passion but I was reluctant to pursue it because of my nine-to-five job,” he said.
Thus, Ilangovin took a leap of faith and opened BCS (Bro Cooks Spices) Catering in June 2020. Yes, the ‘Bro’ is Illangovin himself.
Despite his lack of experience in the culinary business, Ilangovin has persevered, driven by the support of everyone in his family.
“They believe in me and my ability. My parents and wife were the ones who guided and inspired me.”
While all of this was unfolding, Ilangovin was also touched by the efforts of frontliners who were working around the clock to contain the spread of Covid-19. This sparked a life-giving idea.
“It was a light bulb moment: why not make home cooked meals and deliver them to the doctors who were working so hard to keep everyone safe?”
With that, Ilangovin created a WhatsApp group for frontline staff to order meals from him. He absorbed all the delivery costs too. To his surprise, the frontliners at Sg Buloh Hospital enjoyed his simple but delicious home cooked food.
It was such a success, that the initiative helped grow Illangovin’s dream even further, while providing a useful service to the heroic frontiers at the hospital.
With the help of his wife, the caterer soon decided to open his own restaurant, named BCS Indian Restaurant.
The restaurant takes pride in whipping up delicious home cooked Indian food, all of which are made without a hint of artificial flavouring or colouring.
“We absolutely do not add MSG in our cooking,” he said, before recommending customers try BCS’s various weekend Biryani offerings.
Like many other eateries now, BCS Indian Restaurant depends on takeaways and deliveries. Even so, Illangovin remains focused on helping the frontliners.
While he believes that their dedication and sacrifices cannot truly be repaid, he is still committed to providing hospital staff with his wholesome Tiffin Box meals.
Each tiffin box comprises carbohydrates, protein, vegetables and a side dish, with various options for each type.
Ilangovin also delivers meals to stable Covid-19 patients of Sg Buloh Hospital. These meals, which are also delivered for free, help sate their appetite for home cooked food.
“Many discharged patients have expressed their satisfaction that they were able to enjoy some good food, even though they were down with Covid-19,” he said.
Through word of mouth and good reviews, BCS is now catering to a diverse clientele, most of whom work from home and have little time to spend on cooking.
However, he remains devoted to the people of Sg Buloh and will continue serving the community in whatever way he can. In fact, he is offering his services to the White Flag movement too, by preparing packed meals at a discounted price.
“An important part of humanity is to help out in any way possible. When all of this is over, I don’t want to look back and regret not helping out; my conscience won’t allow it.”
As with most Malaysians, Ilangovin remains hopeful that the nation will return to a sense of normalcy one day.
“I hope that people can enjoy the small things in life again, especially the things we took for granted previously, like sharing a simple meal in a restaurant together with loved ones.”
If you wish to support BCS Indian Restaurant, call Illangovin at 011- 72354843 to place an order for delivery (within 15km) or visit Facebook or Instagram to check out the menu.
BCS Indian Restaurant
No 2G, Jalan Nautika B U20/B
Pusat Komersial TSB
Seksyen U20
40160 Sungai Buloh New Village
Selangor