This usually shy and humble man is an adept pastry chef, weaving his magic of transforming flour and butter into delicious breads and pastries of all kinds.
During the pandemic, George Alexander Fernandez operated an online baking business on the suggestion of his niece, Elvina Fernandez, after he was laid off.
To his surprise, his online business was a hit and before long the pastry chef was deluged with orders.
But his real dream was opening a café of his own, a plan 40 years in the making, since his father was also in the same business back in India.
The process of securing a shop wasn’t easy, he told FMT, and he considered numerous locations before settling on the right one.
“The owner was skeptical about renting his shop to me, as he was worried whether I would be able to make rent with my new business,” he said, adding that it took him months to convince the owner otherwise.
When asked how he is taking the change from home bakery to actual café, the 59-year-old said that while running a business from home was more relaxing, the café allowed him to interact with customers face-to-face, which he liked.
FMT paid a visit to the family-run café recently, which opened its doors in January this year.
The shelves at this café were a sight to behold – doughnuts, sausage buns, kaya buns, red bean buns and more – the staple of the bakery-slash-café.
Baked fresh daily, much care and attention are put into these seemingly unassuming buns that are soft and buttery, and packed with delicious filling.
If you are not in the mood for bread, opt for the chicken curry puff instead. With a crispy, flaky exterior enveloping the not-too spicy curry filling, it’s a perfect tea-time treat.
Looking for something a little more sinful? You won’t go wrong with the chicken and mushroom pie.
In the desserts section, bestsellers like pandan layer cake and vanilla cupcakes adorn the display shelves.
A not-to-be-missed item is their blueberry cheese tart. Although priced more reasonably than other bakeries, these are certainly not lacking in taste with their creamy cheese filling and crumbly tart base melting in your mouth.
For something savoury that could pass for lunch, try the chicken cheese burger. Uncle George makes the buns himself instead of resorting to store-bought varieties, and when enjoyed with the delicious chicken patty, it makes for a hearty and memorable meal.
“Our doors are always open for students and people working from home, where they can work while sipping a drink and enjoying our fresh bakes,” Uncle George said.
Not forgetting to give back to the community, the café has just rolled out their five-ringgit Menu Rahmah. There are four options: nasi goreng, mee goreng mamak, a western breakfast and Maggi soup that comes with a drink.
“There is this lady who would come in with her two kids and she usually only orders one meal, but after we put out the Menu Rahmah she’s able to order something for each of them now,” Elvina commented.
It’s obvious that Uncle George hasn’t forgotten his charity work despite also running his own café now. He still feeds the homeless whenever he can, even helping them find jobs so they can get back on their feet. He also collaborates with a nearby community centre to help the needy.
Not one to give up when times are tough, Uncle George’s advice to youngsters today is none other than engaging in “hard work and perseverance, since nothing in life is free”.
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Uncle George Bakes Café
Unit 3, Pusat Perdagangan 1 Razak Mansion,
Jalan Razak Mansion,
57100 Kuala Lumpur.
Business hours
7.30am-5.00pm: Monday- Friday
7.30am-4.00pm: Saturdays
Closed on Sunday
Contact: 017-6607851