DATUK Redzuawan Ismail a.k.a. Chef Wan has re-affirmed a long-term commitment to his culinary empire by revealing that he intends to retain a 20% equity stake and full creative control of De.Wan 1958 by Chef Wan and Café Chef Wan.
This announcement follows the strategic acquisition of the group’s operating arm Metta Food & Lifestyle Sdn Bhd by Main Market-listed food & beverage (F&B) player Oasis Harvest Corp Bhd (formerly Dolphin International Bhd).
The confirmation comes as the group embarks on an aggressive expansion phase, backed by Oasis Harvest’s capital strength and operational infrastructure.
Speaking at the exclusive preview of the new Iconic Malaysian Evening Buffet at De.Wan 1958 @ Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC), Chef Wan stressed that the partnership is designed to scale the business without compromising its core identity.
“I want to be very clear: I’m not just a face for this brand; I remain a committed shareholder,” enthused Chef Wan who famously pivoted from a career as an accountant/banker to follow his passion for cooking.
“This partnership allows us to grow without losing our soul. My 20% stake is my promise to our customers that I’m still here, safeguarding the authenticity, quality and Malaysian identity that earned us our Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition.”
Added Chef Wan: “With Oasis Harvest, we now have the resources to take this vision further than I could alone.”
The newly launched “Iconic Malaysian Evening Buffet” serves as the first tangible result of this new chapter.
Personally curated by Chef Wan, the dining experience is designed to be accessible yet premium, reflecting the brand’s strategy to broaden its market reach while maintaining high culinary standards.
More broadly, the acquisition provides Metta Food & Lifestyle with immediate access to Oasis Harvest’s extensive F&B ecosystem which includes established brands like Uncle Don’s and Verona Trattoria.
This integration is expected to drive efficiencies in central kitchen operations, supply chain management and brand development.
“This is a partnership of respect and ambition. Chef Wan’s continued equity stake and active involvement provide critical continuity and credibility. Our role is to provide the platform for growth – responsibly and strategically,” envisages Oasis Harvest’s executive director Ch’ng Eu Vern.
“We’re combining Chef Wan’s culinary genius with Oasis’s operational machinery to build a Malaysian-led F&B platform that can capture the tourism recovery and the growing demand for authentic local cuisine.”
Looking ahead, De.Wan 1958 and Café Chef Wan will serve as key pillars in Oasis Harvest’s broader lifestyle and hospitality strategy with plans to expand their footprint in key high-traffic locations.
At the close of today’s (Feb 4) market trading, Oasis Harvest was down 1 sen or 4.35% to 22 sen with 413,200 shares traded, thus valuing the company at RM32 mil. – Focus Malaysia
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