By Alvin Chiang

THIS ang moh has opened a hawker stall selling American food in Singapore.

It's called Botak Jones and it's out in the boondocks - in Tuas.

But Mr Bernie Utchenik, who was once down and out, is sizzling again.

The former owner of popular joints like Bernie's restaurant at Changi Garden and Bernie Goes To Town at Boat Quay is running the hawker food stall after a bad spell.

The 52-year-old permanent resident said: 'Bernie Goes To Town was very popular, but financially it was a disaster.

'There were several staff on the payroll and the overheads were high.

'Selling it off nearly flattened me because I put every dollar I had into the joint, trying to make it work.'

HUGE LOSS

Mr Utchenik said he sold the pub cum restaurant at a 'huge loss', but declined to provide exact figures.

After selling off Bernie Goes To Town in 2000, the American, who came to Singapore in 1993 while working with an oil service company, was depressed.

He said: 'It was a bittersweet time for me because I sold the restaurant while it was at the height of its popularity.

'I went through a lot of mental changes after that and did a lot of self-questioning.'

It was tough on him even after the sale because he used whatever money he had to pay his suppliers.

STAYED HOME

Mr Utchenik and his 42-year-old Singaporean wife, whom he married six years ago, stayed home and 'didn't do anything' to save money.

He knew it was just a phase and he had to do something to get over it.

So, when motivational guru Anthony Robbins came to Singapore in August 2001, Mr Utchenik and his wife went to listen to him.

Mr Utchenik walked on hot coals and, at the end of the four-day seminar, he regained belief in himself.

In August last year, Mr Utchenik opened Botak Jones, selling American food at Sungei Kadut Eating House in Tuas. But why a hawker stall, and in Tuas of all places?

After all, Mr Utchenik had seen better times.

CLASS ACTS

In 2000, he entertained his customers at Boat Quay by bringing in class acts like Johnnie Johnson, one of the greatest blues pianists, regarded by some as the father of rock 'n' roll.

Johnson was the composer and the subject of Chuck Berry's classic rock 'n' roll song Johnnie B Goode.

So does Mr Utchenik see running a hawker stall now as a 'downgrade'?

No, he said.

Instead, he turned his experience around, into something positive.

'After what I've gone through, everything is important to me now,' he said.

MORE CARING NOW

'I care more for people now than ever before,' he said.

'And this attitude translates into caring for my customers by paying more attention while preparing their meals.'

As for the location, he said he chose Tuas because 'no ang moh had done it before'.

Mr Utchenik said he will continue operating the stall 'as long as the business is good'.

Each day, he spends at least 10 hours there.

He grills and flips burgers, take orders and teaches his two assistants how to cook authentic American food, like cajun chicken.

So does he miss running a pub?

He said: 'I do miss having the pub atmosphere because it is like having people coming to your house to party.

'But one thing I don't miss about running a pub is overseeing many things at once - like giving instructions to the staff and keeping check on the accounts.'

He does not rule out opening another pub in the future if he makes enough money.

Mr Utchenik said his former regular customers are 'supportive' and had made their way down to Tuas to patronise his new stall.

PERSEVERE

He hopes his experience will encourage aspiring entrepreneurs in Singapore to persevere with their ideas.

He said: 'My experience shows there is life after death - if you look for it.'