Shamzuri (Sham) Hanifa, a native of Malaysia, moved to Ireland over 14 years ago seeking new opportunities and experiences.  Steeped in a tradition and love of the freshest foods and inspired by his Grandmother’s flavoursome cooking, Sham started his culinary career at 12!  He has worked his way up though every stage of the catering world, from kitchen porter to head chef.

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At the age of 20, his whirlwind Irish adventure began in leading restaurants in the West of Ireland. Little did he know then, that he would spent the next 14 years here, meet and marry an Irish girl, start a family, before settling in Jamestown in 2008 to open his own restaurant, the acclaimed The Cottage Restaurant.