Who doesn’t love chicken rice! 😍😍
A British teenager, Joshua Alexander Jun Wei Gilby, a Singapore permanent resident, recently secured a part-time position at the well-known Nam Kee Chicken Rice Restaurant, a job driven by his long-standing love for the dish.
Since the age of five, Joshua has shared a weekly tradition of enjoying chicken rice with his grandmother. His passion for the dish was so strong that he first approached Nam Kee for a job at the age of 13. However, he was turned down at that time due to his age. Undeterred, he made a second attempt a year later and was successfully hired.
From mid-July to August, Joshua worked at the eatery’s Upper Thomson outlet, with shifts on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. His responsibilities were diverse, including customer interaction, taking orders, cleaning tables, and assisting with takeaway orders. He even performed the meticulous task of picking roots from bean sprouts. The owner, Dave Chew, was impressed by Joshua’s motivation. He noted that it was refreshing to see a young person so dedicated to working rather than engaging in typical teenage activities. Mr. Chew also took the opportunity to help Joshua improve his Mandarin skills by teaching him the Chinese names for various dishes.
Videos of Joshua at work, shared by Nam Kee on TikTok and Instagram, quickly gained popularity, amassing hundreds of thousands of views. The videos highlighted his enthusiasm for the job and his efforts to practice Mandarin. His parents expressed pride in his open-mindedness and dedication. Although he found the experience physically tiring and speaking Mandarin a challenge, Joshua viewed his work as highly rewarding. He received a token sum for his efforts and was able to enjoy his favorite chicken rice at the start of each shift.
Reflecting on his experience, Joshua stated, “I would love to work at Nam Kee again.”
