KUALA LUMPUR: For more than 20 years, Station 21 Sizzling Steak in Bangsar here gained its popularity for serving a wide range of delicious western food, which comes in generous portions.
Apart from the food, the restaurant also earned its good reputation for its friendly chef, Syed Zaidi Syed Zainal, who is also the co-owner of Station 21 Sizzling Steak set up in the early 90s.
Among those who frequent the restaurant was Singaporen rock legend, Datuk Ramli Sarip.
News, however, began making rounds in the social media today that Syed Zaidi, fondly known as “Chef Boe” or “Abang Boe” among patrons of the restaurant, had passed away at dawn.
His business associate, Shamsul Baharin Ismail, 50, told the New Straits Times that Syed Zaidi died from infection in the stomach at the Selayang Hospital near here.
Shamsul, who identified himself as “Rod”, said his business partner passed away after being admitted at the hospital for five days since Oct 15.
Boe was 53 and single.
“We have been friends since 1986. He is like a brother to me. We look after each other through the good and tough times.
“He is also a good leader at work. He is a very discipline person and passionate about his work, which reflected in the way he prepared food for our customers,” Rod said.
He added the restaurant will be closed until end of this week in the wake of Syed Zaidi’s death.
“God willing, we will resume our operation on Monday. We will post updates on our Facebook account: Station 21 Sizzling Steak.
Syed Zaidi’s body was taken to his hometown in Kampung Batu Laut, Tanjung Sepat in Banting near here for funeral prayer after the Asar prayer later today.
He would be buried at a Muslim Cemetery near the village.
Meanwhile, messages of grief and condolences from netizens were pouring on the restaurant's Facebook account.
A user, Zainal Abd Razak, remembered Syed Zaidi as a humble and friendly person during his visit to the restaurant.
“Always had a great conversation with him whenever I visit Station 21,” he said.
Fellow netizen, Mohd Ridhwan Firdaus, said: “May his soul received the blessing of Allah and placed among the pious,”