The Address Sept-Oct 2013

Whose round is it anyway?
AN INTERVIEW BY JACK NEWBERRY
Serial publican Geoff
Siddle is the archetypal
pub landlord behind
Sid’s Pubs in Malaysia.
Pub food has long been
a social corner stone
for many countries,
gradually becoming more
recognised for the honest
approach to hearty meals
that so many of us crave.
This month he serves
up a decent portion of
answers for ‘The Last
Goodbye’.
Where do you live
and why?
“I’ve lived in SS3 Petaling
Jaya for 12 years but as the
traffic got worse along the
LDP highway, I’ve decided
to move closer to work.
Since my outlets and office
are all around this end of
town, we moved to Bangsar
four years ago.”
What does ‘gastronomy’
mean to you?
“To me it means the study
and appreciation of fine
foods and cuisines – luckily
here in Malaysia, with
the massive smorgasbord
of available cuisines,
gastronomy’s a hobby that
never gets boring.”
How do you motivate
yourself every day?
“I look at myself in the
mirror in the morning and
say: ‘Hey you, let’s go and
make some more people
happy today’.”
Are you a good cook?
“I love cooking. I guess
I’m a good cook; at least
that’s what my family
and friends tell me.
Unfortunately, it’s one of
my hobbies that do not get
enough of my time because
I’m constantly busy. If I get
spare time, I cook a lot.”
Where is your favourite
place to eat in Malaysia?
“Tough one, it’ll be a cross
between dim sum at Ming
Room or my friend’s houses
during Raya.”
What is the best
thing about being a pub
landlord?
“Seeing people chatting
and relaxing with a smile on
their faces, it makes all the
hard work worthwhile.”
What would you do as
mayor of KL for the day?
“Mayor Sid? I’d reduce the
alcohol duty to make going
out to pubs and bars more
affordable, I’d award Sid’s
Group fulltime rights to
operate Padang Merbok as
Sid’s RFC and I’d make it
compulsory for ALL civil
servants to cycle to work.”
Do you collect anything?
“Hard Rock Café Hurricane
glasses, cookbooks and
menus (that are usually
nicked more often than not).”
What is the best advice
you have ever been told?
“Be happy with yourself first.”
What is luxury to you?
“Luxury is spending time
with my family.”
What are your plans for
the future?
“No plans yet, just keep
on opening new bars in
different neighbourhoods
so people don’t have to
travel too far from home
for a good night out.”
142 TA | SEPT/OCT 2013