The Chinese cook better known as Chef Richard said he never imagined that the way he speaks would become the defining feature of his digital content.

He told FMT that growing up, speaking in Terengganu dialect was just an ordinary thing. “Now, it’s something I’m proud of,” said the Kampung Pelam native.

Much of his content is filmed in the kampung-style kitchen of his family home: a setting that lends warmth and authenticity to his videos and has endeared him to followers.

Before he got into content creation, he had barely given any thought to the distinctness of the Terengganu dialect compared to the way people speak in Kuala Lumpur.

What audiences hear in his videos is simply the language of his everyday life, shaped by growing up and socialising within the local community.

Nevertheless, Richard has built a sizeable following, with about 780,000 followers on TikTok, 149,000 on Instagram, and 30,000 subscribers on YouTube.

It all began quite by chance. “My first cooking video was recorded by my mother, after my father asked me to return home in 2021 to prepare dishes for Chinese New Year,” he recalled.

“I was reluctant to cook because it reminded me of the hardships I’d gone through in professional kitchens. But since my father asked, I agreed.”

The oldest of three siblings shared that he had previously worked in Singapore, starting out as a baker before moving into bigger kitchens.

The environment, he said, was tough. Long hours and harsh treatment were routine, and even small mistakes were often met with scolding.

These experiences left a deep emotional mark, even though they never took away his desire to keep learning.

After returning to Terengganu, he ventured into the F&B business, but challenges persisted. Rising costs, inconsistent operations, and the pressures of managing staff added another difficult chapter to his journey.

The turning point came when he was offered the chance to manage a hotel with a business partner in Kuala Terengganu. Today, he splits his time between being a content creator and overseeing hotel operations.

Living in a predominantly Malay community has also shaped his experiences in quieter, more personal ways, including how he comes to understand and enjoy festive periods like Ramadan and Hari Raya.

He said during the fasting month, the sound of firecrackers before the maghrib call to prayer would serve as a signal that it was time to break fast in his area.

“When we hear firecrackers, everyone knows it’s time to buka puasa,” he said.

“In the past, I would be working in the kitchen while others were celebrating. Now I finally get to experience that festive atmosphere with the community.”