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JEMAPOH, Negeri Sembilan: A Malaysian family has prepared a tasty solution to their financial woes during the pandemic by opening a backyard pizzeria that has proven to be a success in their quiet town.
Millions of people around the world lost their jobs this year when governments introduced economically damaging lockdowns to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
But a family in a Malaysian town managed to make extraordinary profits during the recession by opening a restaurant that serves wood-fired pizzas in their home.
Based in Jemapoh, 120 km south of the capital Kuala Lumpur, the business offers pizzas with herbs and spices, and sliced pineapple mixed with meat or tuna, along with a thick layer of mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
Starting with just a small oven in their backyard, Raudhah Hassan’s family now makes 800 wood-fired pizzas a day. (Photo: AFP / Mohd Rasfan)
“We did this to get some pocket money,” said Raudhah Hassan, 35, the oldest of several brothers and mastermind behind the business.
“But praise God, what we did has become the talk of the town.”
Pizzas have been flying out of the family’s makeshift kitchen since late April, a month after authorities implemented curbs that confined people to their homes and saw most businesses close.
The restaurants were allowed to continue operating, and after Raudhah’s store that sold headscarves saw a drop in business and some of his brothers suffered a pay cut, the family decided to open the pizzeria.
A Malaysian family made their own oven to launch a few dozen pizzas in time for the holy month of Ramadan in April in the Muslim-majority country (Photo: AFP / Mohd Rasfan)
“We got stuck here. We said we had to do something,” explained Raudhah, who runs the business at his parents’ home with the help of other family members.
The family built a stone oven in their backyard to make a few dozen pizzas in time for the holy month of Ramadan in the Muslim-majority country, when worshipers often enjoy hearty meals to break the fast.
The business quickly became a success.
Restaurants were allowed to continue operating during the partial closure in Malaysia. (Photo: AFP / Mohd Rasfan)
“Some pizzas are too salty, but they are really good,” said Nurliyana Hidayah, a first-time customer.
“I will come here again.”
The family has added a shop to their home and hired about 20 people from the village to make up to 800 wood-fired pizzas a day, five days a week.
More than 800,000 people have lost their jobs in Malaysia this year as the virus pushed the country into recession. (Photo: AFP / Mohd Rasfan)
More than 800,000 people have lost their jobs in Malaysia this year as the virus pushed the country into recession, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said in October.
Malaysia has largely lifted the toughest restrictions and most companies are operating again, although it has been battling the virus’ resurgence in recent weeks.
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