Vinod, Janesh, and Makia might come from different walks of life, but their shared passion for food brought them together to create Timeless Treats, a restaurant that seamlessly blends their diverse culinary backgrounds into one memorable dining experience.
Vinod and Janesh, both graduates of the KDU School of Culinary Arts, had honed their craft through years of exploring different culinary avenues.
Vinod’s wife, Makia, hails from Japan, where she spent over a decade working in some of her country’s finest restaurants.
Reflecting on their beginnings, Vinod told Vulcan Post, “Our careers blossomed in different directions, but our shared vision was to one day merge our experiences and create something special.”
That vision eventually became Timeless Treats—a space where their combined expertise and love for fusion flavours could shine.
The birth of Timeless Treats
The idea for Timeless Treats started humbly as an online business in June 2023. The team was inspired to create fusion flavours, blending their cultural and professional experiences into dishes that people could enjoy from the comfort of their homes.
“Initially, we wanted to give people an experience with our combined fusion flavours,” Vinod explained.
Operating as a cloud kitchen not only kept overheads low but also gave the team a chance to test the waters and understand the market’s response to their food.
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, which gave them the confidence to dream bigger.
“The online model helped us understand what worked and what didn’t. It also showed us the potential we had to create something even more meaningful,” Vinod shared.
A turning point
After running the cloud kitchen for some time, the team faced a pivotal decision. They realised that operating solely online came with its own set of challenges.
“We had reached the maximum capacity of what we could do in that setup,” Vinod pointed out.
On top of that, rising food costs, delivery platform commissions, and SST charges were eating into their profits.
It became clear that scaling up to a brick-and-mortar restaurant would not only allow them to better serve their customers but also improve their margins.
This led to the opening of Timeless Treats’ physical restaurant in Bangsar, a vibrant neighbourhood that seemed like the perfect home for their concept.
Armed with their new ambitions and past expertise, they opened up shop in April 2024.
Expanding the menu and vision
Transitioning to a physical space had a significant impact on Timeless Treats’ menu. While the online model limited them to a few staple items, the restaurant allowed the trio to get more creative.
“Our menu has grown to include more vegan and vegetarian options, which came from customer requests and our desire to cater to a wider audience,” he shared.
The recipes, born out of the chefs’ own experiences and backgrounds, became even more diverse, reflecting their evolving understanding of what their diners wanted.
Some of their menus include Japanese chicken katsu & veggie curry, buttermilk pancake burgers using homemade rice buns, falafel rice bowl & salad, veggie lasagna, and sugee fruit cake. Their price ranges from RM15 to RM21. This is relatively reasonable, especially given their Bangsar address.
“We also have a monthly special menu where we test out new dishes. If some dishes are a hit with our customers, we eventually move it to the main menu,” said Vinod.
Battling challenges with resilience
The journey hasn’t been without its hurdles. Like many businesses in the food and beverage industry, Timeless Treats faces the constant challenge of rising costs.
“The rapid increase in food prices and living expenses is something we’re always battling,” Vinod admitted.
Funding the transition from an online business to a full-fledged restaurant wasn’t easy either. With loans and financial backing difficult to secure, the team relied on their online sales and personal savings to make it happen.
“We live by the saying, ‘Sedikit-sedikit, lama-lama jadi bukit’ (little by little, it becomes a mountain). It’s about being patient and persistent,” he reflected.
Timeless Treats’ Bangsar location is just the beginning. The team dreams of expanding their reach across the Klang Valley, bringing their flavours closer to neighbourhoods that might find it challenging to visit Bangsar.
“We aspire to become a neighbourhood-friendly restaurant that people can rely on for great food and a warm atmosphere,” Vinod said.
For now, Timeless Treats continues to delight its customers with its thoughtful fusion dishes and unwavering commitment to quality.
- You can learn more about Timeless Treats here.
- Read other articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups here.
Featured Image Credit: Timeless Treats
