LONDON: One of Malaysia's renowned exports, Roti King, has spread its wings to the south of London in a cosy eatery enclave of the iconic Battersea Power Station (BPS), eight years after first introducing their roti canai in London.
On May 5, Roti King joins over 20 cafés, bars, restaurants and shops at the new exciting riverside neighbourhood in Circus West Village of BPS, owned by a Malaysian consortium.
Founder and proprietor of Roti King Sugendran Gopal, 43, said the launch would also open up employment opportunities for Malaysian chefs who want to work in his outlets in the United Kingdom.
"We have a sponsorship licence and we can bring people; chefs with skills and talents, from Malaysia to work for our restaurants. There is a link in our social media for people to apply," he said during a soft launch of his new restaurant, nestled under the Grosvenor Bridge Railway arches.
On the sponsorship licence, he elaborated: "UK employers have to be granted a sponsorship licence by the Home Office before they can employ non-UK resident workers under the new points-based visa system and routes such as the Skilled Worker visa."
Chief executive officer Battersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC) Simon Murphy said the restaurant was one more example of working together to benefit all community.
The Battersea Power Station regeneration project in the UK is owned by a consortium of Malaysian firms; Sime Darby, S P Setia Bhd and the Employees Provident Fund involved in redeveloping the Battersea Power Station, which is estimated to have a gross development value of £9 billion.
Sugendran, who hails from Buntong, Perak, said the eatery marks the expansion of his parents' legacy.
The roots of his establishment began in a Ipoh suburb back in the early 70s, a small eatery under a huge tree affectionately called Gopal's Corner.
Gopal's Corner was named after his father, while Sugendran learned how to cook from his mother Padma Vengdasalam, 71.
"She is the woman behind all the success stories, all that is happening here. When I left for London in 2003, I used to phone her all the time for advice on cooking certain dishes."
Sugendran and his brother Summan flew in his mother Padma and sister Sujata from Malaysia, for the event.
Looking resplendent saree, Padma was given the honour of cutting the ribbon for the launch of the eatery, which together with 3 other Gopal's Corners – in Victoria, Oxford Circus and Canary Wharf -- signify the family's growing food empire.
"I am so happy and proud of my sons. Back then, Sugen would help me in the kitchen, made drinks for me after school when he saw that I was tired. I taught him how to cook," she said, adding her husband, Gopal, is back in Malaysia because he is not in the best of health.
The soft launch was attended by Malaysian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland, Zakri Jaafar and wife Aini Abdul Rahman together with some members of the Malaysian community.
When the new eatery opened its doors to the public the following day, 200 customers were served with its signature roti canai with lamb and dhall curry, mee goreng mamak and several other south Indian dishes.