SHANKAR R.SANTHIRAM
About
Shankar R. Santhiram seamlessly combines his expertise as a Chef, leadership development specialist, and an entrepreneur.
A law graduate from the University of Sussex, he was appointed Adjunct Professor at the University of Cyberjaya, Malaysia in 2022.
Shankar’s culinary journey is marked by his passion for bold flavors and hospitality.
His first foray into the culinary world was in 1999, when he established The Indian Chapter Restaurant in the historical city of Malacca in Malaysia.
After which, he focused on his corporate career. He only returned to the food business in 2015, when he bought and revamped the much loved neighbourhood bistro bar, D'Legends, in Kuala Lumpur.
In 2019, he remodelled the bistro to The Fire Grill, to refocus on food.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Shankar launched a Meals Initiative at The Fire Grill raising over RM160,000 to distribute more than 51,000 free hot meals for the most displaced communities in Kuala Lumpur. It was his commitment to community-driven entrepreneurship that inspired this.
Since 2023, he is the Chef Patron of the critically acclaimed Fire by Shankar in Penang, which celebrates Tamil-inspired cuisine infused with modern innovation.
As an author, and media personality, Shankar has written the Malaysian national bestseller So, You Want To Get Promoted? and pens two weekly columns: Work, Matters! for the New Straits Times and Purposeful Living for Free Malaysia Today. His thought-provoking insights on leadership and personal growth resonate widely, complemented by his impactful radio segments on BFM 89.9 and Lite FM Malaysia.
In the corporate world, Shankar founded EQTD Consulting in 2002, a boutique corporate training and management consultancy.
Across his 30-year career, Shankar has demonstrated a commitment to blending professional success with social impact, earning a reputation as an influential leader who inspires change across industries and communities.
But ultimately, his passion is, and will always be cooking, specifically Tamil cuisine.
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