KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 -- "It's one of those kitchen jobs where no one disturbs you. It's just you and the meat, and I enjoy that moment of peace," says Logan Terence Lopez, describing his affinity for butchery.

A towering figure with the demeanour of a gentle giant, the 39-year-old is best known for Wurst, the non-halal deli and restaurant that's become a crowd favourite in Bangsar's Lucky Garden.

Interestingly, he actually got his start not far from where he is today. "I left school and was working part-time as a dishwasher at The Mangotree in Bangsar, where Ricky Parlanti was the chef," he recalls.

"One day, he just sacked me, saying I should aim higher in life. The following day, he called me wanting to talk about enrolling me in KDU ...