Elli Rocks Restaurant and Bar, the culinary trailblazer in the world of fusion cuisine, has emerged victorious at the highly esteemed Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards (HAPA) last week. News Hub Asia caught up with the visionary and driving force behind Elli Rocks, Prema Veerasingam, after the awards ceremony.
With its extraordinary display of culinary prowess and unwavering resilience, Ellie Rocks bagged three awards at HAPA 2023-2024 namely the ‘Best 30 Restaurants’ in the Fusion Cuisine category – one of the most competitive and sought-after awards at HAPA, and ‘The Awards of Resilience’ for its remarkable resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, while Prema Veerasingam was bestowed the ‘Most Inspiring F&B Entrepreneur Award’. These accomplishments exemplify Elli Rocks’ commitment to excellence and innovative approach in the highly competitive local food and beverage (F&B) industry.
“We are incredibly proud to have been recognised at such a prestigious award ceremony, especially being a relatively young restaurant in the industry (less than five years) and being opened a year before the pandemic. This is an outstanding achievement for Elli Rocks and our team. I believe this achievement is not only due to our food and drinks but because we put a lot of effort into customer care,” said Prema.
Being Asia’s top 30 fusion restaurants and bars
Elli Rocks’ commitment to pushing the boundaries of culinary creativity and delivering an exceptional dining experience has set them apart from their peers. Led by an outstanding team, Elli Rocks has consistently offered a tantalising fusion of flavours, combining the best elements of different culinary traditions at both its outlets in Damansara Heights and Taman Tun Dr Ismail in Kuala Lumpur. Their carefully curated menu showcases an exquisite blend of global influences, bringing together traditional techniques with contemporary presentations that captivate diners from all walks of life.
When asked what being in Asia’s top 30 means to her and her team, Prema said, “Winning the HAPA Award as the Top 30 Fusion Restaurants and Bars is definitely a great endorsement to Elli Rocks and this will boost our brand’s reputation, setting us apart from the crowd. This Award will not only encourage higher footfall of returning customers but it’s also going to attract new audiences to our restaurant.”
A symbol of resilience and determination
The HAPA Awards of Resilience recognises and honours those who, despite the pandemic’s devastating effects, have persevered and thrived. According to Elli Rocks, this award is a testament to its remarkable resilience in the face of great adversity. It is also a reflection of its dedication to providing excellent service and protecting the health and safety of its employees and customers.
By implementing stringent health and safety measures while preserving the integrity of its culinary offerings, Elli Rocks has become a symbol of resilience and determination.
Good leadership breeds success
Throughout the challenges posed by the global pandemic, Prema’s leadership and determination have propelled Elli Rocks to new heights and enabled it to overcome obstacles and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the hospitality industry. In recognition of her unwavering passion, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit, Prema was bestowed the ‘Most Inspiring F&B Entrepreneur’ by the HAPA Awards 2023-2024.
Extremely proud to be receiving the award, especially being in a male-dominated industry, Prema hopes to empower other women to create possibilities and venture into this industry.
“This recognition will definitely drive my passion further and transform my dreams into reality,” said Prema.
What’s next for Elli Rocks?
While these awards have further affirmed its position as a prominent trailblazer and trendsetter in the competitive food and beverage industry in Malaysia, Ellie Rocks has no plans to slow down.
“We hope to be opening two more Elli Rocks outlets at strategic locations starting from the third quarter of 2023. We are also hoping to open sub-brands like Elli Rocks Express,” continued Prema.
“We have hired a great team of F&B and are constantly improving our menu, so our customers can enjoy the fine dining experience at an affordable price. We will also be coming up with monthly curated events to keep our customers excited and look forward to coming to Elli Rocks.” 
