Eugene Tan Wei Shan

Eugene Tan Wei Shan, Founder of Gene Food & Beverages 

Eugene Tan Wei Shan

In this interview, Eugene Tan Wei Shan shares the inception and growth of Gene Food & Beverages.

What do you do?

I am running a home-based food and beverage business. I specialize in a variety of flavoured coffee, handcrafted espresso martini by jar, and peanut butter. My top seller is homemade Gula Melaka Peanut Butter, and currently, I also accept customized gift box orders for different types of celebrations (i.e. Christmas, Lunar New Year and upcoming Hari Raya).

How did you get into the industry?

I studied for a Diploma in Hotel Management and had my first practical training with the luxurious colonial hotel, Eastern & Oriental, Penang (“E&O”). Thereafter, I started my career at 1885, a Fine Dining restaurant in E&O. During my stint in 1885, I had the opportunity to experience different types of cuisines such as Western, Chinese and Asian fusion. 

With more than ten years of experience in the F&B industry, I developed a deep interest in the wine and cocktails segment, mostly through self-taught experience. 

When the COVID pandemic started in March 2020, the hotel industry, along with its F&B segments, was badly affected. During that period, I thought it would be better for me to seek an alternative source of income, and that’s how “Gene” started.

I started the business by launching the Signature Homemade Gula Melaka Latte and Espresso Martini by jar. Thanks to my loyal customers who are enthusiastic of the Signature Homemade Gula Melaka Latte, I started to evolve my products into peanut butter, using the same signature homemade gula melaka. It turns out to be well received by my customers and currently is Gene’s top seller. Please check out our Gula Melaka Peanut Butter. 

Share with us a story from behind the scenes.

Gene is literally me, a short name of Eugene and a One Man Show business. I designed my own logo GENE (The Taste Of A Real Treat), setting up the backdrop and photo shooting my own products. I’m very particular in terms of photography and all the editing of photos are done by myself. I also handpicked the ingredients for my products, such as peanuts, Gula Melaka and fresh coconut meat, to ensure high quality. After that, any products will be prepared and handcrafted by myself to ensure the consistency of every single bottle of my products, which is the ultimate goal for anyone in the F&B business.

What’s a food or fruit memory from your childhood or travels that stands out?

I first had the experience to taste the king of fruit Durian when I was six years old. It was like love at first taste, and I fell in love with durian. My first impression of durian is the taste, and it’s so creamy and so yummy. My love for durian earned me the nickname of Durian King.

What’s the best/ worst part of your job?

The best is when you receive feedback from customers, and they start sharing their happiness with your products on social media and promoting your products through word of mouth with their friends and families. 

The worst part is when your bottle jar is out of stock, and you are expected to deliver plenty of orders by a certain deadline.

What’s your favourite food and beverage pairing?

Wagyu beef paired with a full-bodied Shiraz.

What’s one of the craziest things you’ve seen behind the scenes?

One of my craziest things was during Christmas festivities in 2021 when I had to fry 30kg of peanuts to meet the order demands. My wok could only fit 1 kilogram, and imagine I had to fry the peanuts 30 times in three days and also I had to blend 120 bottles of Peanut butter by only using a home blender machine. Thank goodness the blender survived.

The perfect day off would be…

… beachside chilling with a glass of beer or wine.

What does Eugene Tan Wei Shan do for fun?

My work is fun :). During my free time, I will take the opportunity to go cycling in the evening. Exercise is important to maintain good health. 

What’s something you’d like guests to know about Gene?

I deeply appreciate having the support from our regular customers and also some of the corporate companies which have been supporting Gene throughout these 1.5 years. Consistency of our product and quality is our utmost goal, especially our Best Selling Gula Melaka Peanut Butter.

How has the pandemic changed you, your perspective, or the way you operate?

Throughout the pandemic, everyone realizes the importance of social media (“socmed”), and it is becoming more important in our lives these days. Most of our customers are from socmed, and that’s how orders are being placed by customers. Most transactions are cashless, too, mostly via online banking, QRpay, and Touch n Go. 

Thereafter, orders are accumulated, and physical deliveries are done based on locations. And at the moment, I’m doing the scheduled deliveries. E.g. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday locations are Penang island and the mainland, and Friday and Saturday locations are Kedah Sg Petani.

What’s something you’d like people to know about being an SME bussiness owner?

Being an SME, you need to be passionate about your business regardless of sector. It involves a lot of hard work, and there is no shortcut. Most importantly, you must believe in your own products.

What’s your view on the Peanut Butter & Bottled Latte scene in Kedah & Penang?

It’s good to see many of the customers in Kedah & Penang are being more receptive to homemade peanut butter and bottled lattes. Everyone is seeking fresh and healthy products, which is what Gene offers. 

Eugene Tan Wei Shan’s Favourite Song?

Coldplay (The Scientist)  

What’s in store for you in the upcoming months?

Upcoming plans offer more customizable gift sets for celebrations such as the Full Moon festival, anniversaries, birthdays and more!

Read more interviews such as this one with Eugene Tan Wei Shan here, and stay up to date with the latest food and beverage happenings in KL here.

One Comment

  1. Homemade Gula Melaka Peanut Butter sounds like something that’s right up my alley!

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