S.League duo show that footballers can cook too

By their own admission, footballers Jeremy Chiang and Walid Lounis are almost inseparable.

The close friends talk to each other daily and Chiang says it feels weird if they don’t, like “something is missing”. Tunisia-born Lounis chuckles and chimes in: “Sometimes our wives get jealous!”

The duo first met five years ago via the S.League, which both ply their trade in, and hit it off - so much so that today, they have started their own cafe.

They are tenants at Medici Cafe, which is located at Rochester Park and prides itself on selling authentic Tunisian cuisine and other unique dishes. Together with their wives, Chiang and Lounis hand-prepare almost every dish to serve freshly-cooked food.

“After we started being close, we would go over to each other’s houses to just chill out,” Chiang recalled. “A lot of times, his wife and him cooked and invited us over, so our kids could play together… They also tried our food and we exchanged tips.

“We also always talked about what is after football and what we were going to do. We are not young anymore and we cannot just depend on football [for the rest of our lives].”

Dream come true

The pair discussed starting their own café in passing, but the “perfect timing” came when Chiang suffered a serious injury earlier this year while turning out for Warriors FC in a league game.

The 29-year-old started to search for places that were available for rent while recuperating at home and came across the location, an alfresco area nestled amongst tranquil surroundings.

“We love joking, cooking, laughing together and tasting each others’ food, so that’s why we want to do something together,” Chiang explained.

“For me, it’s a dream since young [to do this] because many footballers in Tunisia open cafés,” Lounis added.

Things moved along very quickly after that. Within a month, they formed “The WEJS” and registered it as a food and beverage company. Chiang and Lounis attended a mandatory course on food handling and hygiene and before they knew it, they started cooking up a storm in late June as Medici opened for business.

The support of their spouses was crucial in their decision to go ahead with the venture. “The wives are the ones who are most supportive and I don’t think we could have done this without them,” Lounis, who plays for Woodlands Wellington, said. “They are still working [in the day] and when they finish work, they come and help us.”

They are a close-knit unit, with each couple’s two kids as close as siblings; indeed, Chiang described their relationship as like “family”.

“The WEJS stand for Walid and Erica, Jeremy and Suyi and is pronounced as ‘wedges’,” he explained. “It’s just a name people will remember and also [reinforces] that this idea is [supported by] the four of us.”

Still in the game

Both admit that they were initially apprehensive about accepting interviews, as they were aware the business could conveniently be used against them if they were to perform poorly on the pitch.

However, Chiang emphasised that they are well aware of their professional obligations and confident they could juggle football and the café.

Running it in the evenings means it doesn’t clash with their training schedules in the day, and they also know it is imperative to stay fit as they have to earn new contracts the next season.

“Our main priority is still football,” Chiang asserted. “We are professional footballers and we have our paymasters, whom we need to respect. I am working my butt off every day at rehabilitation, while he is training [hard] every day.

“We still love our job and the game and we keep ourselves in tip-top condition. We don’t want people to get the wrong idea that since we are starting a café, our form will drop, we are not focused and [will be] tired.”

There are also plans to collaborate with the S.League and the LionsXII team in future as they want to give back to the sport that has provided for their living.

“People say the S.League has no standard and is not good, but it gave us a life and gave us our friendship,” said Chiang, who was teammates with Lounis for a season at Gombak United in 2011. The latter added: “If it was not for football, I would not be where I am now.”

Passion first

It was a gamble to use up their savings to open the café, Chiang admitted, but they are proud of themselves for doing something they’ve always wanted to.

“We believe in ourselves and we're very confident of our own food,” he said. “We could hire a chef, but we are the ones cooking. We cook with passion and we serve with passion. We want you to feel like [this café is] a home; you can sit down while we take your orders and chat with you.

“Even if we fail, we know we tried.”

There are plans to expand the premises and also start a chain, if the venture proves to be successful. For now, the feedback from patrons has been largely positive, with a number of customers already coming back for more.

Mervin Tan is one of these customers drawn by the “very chill” atmosphere. “The food is definitely delicious!” he said. “All my friends loved it, including one who’s a chef (himself).”

There are currently 10 main courses available, including dishes like the Tunisian Brik (springroll), shakshouka and creamy chicken. The café uses ingredients from halal suppliers.

It is clear that despite being busier than before, Chiang and Lounis relish the added responsibilities.

“We are loving it,” Chiang declared. “We are excited to come in every day and we go back home with happy smiles.

“Come and join the party. Footballers can cook!”

The WEJS @ Medici Café is located at 44 Rochester Park and opens from 5-11p.m (Tues to Thurs) and 5-12a.m (Fri-Sun). Find them on Facebook and Instagram.