Leaving the IT world to preserve art of nyonya kuih-making

An experienced IT professional who once owned a company in the industry has taken a sweet 180-degree turn in his career.

John Woo used to spend his days on the latest technology, but today his life is encompassed by the century-old traditions of nyonya kuih-making.

Three years ago, Woo, 40, decided to quit the IT industry to join hands with his parents and continue the family business - a nyonya kuih stall which has operated in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur since 1978.

For four decades, his parents started their day at 3.30am to prepare the kuih until 11am before setting up their stall where they would sell the delicacies until 6.30pm in the evening.

Now in their 60s, Woo said he realised that without his help, Wong Seng Mun and Sam Yuk Lan may have to soon wind down their business, Nyonya Heritage.

“They didn’t exactly...