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. 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.
"No other cook in Ireland runs such imaginary culinary riffs as you will enjoy at The Cottage. Sham Hanifa's brilliance has been in discovering the synergies between Irish ingredients and Asian grace notes. Mr. Hanifa makes these wonderful inventions seem entirely logical, and more importantly make them taste explosively delicious, packed with warm, enlivening flavours and textures that are simply unique. Wonderful service, and great value for money complete the picture of a happy, happening place in Jamestown. "
