By: Anne Das
Francis Martin is a name many in Ipoh recognise instantly. For more than forty years, he has been part of the city’s weddings, feast days, church gatherings and family celebrations through the steady work of Martin Caterers. His dishes have appeared on countless tables, and it is difficult to find a household in Ipoh, that has not enjoyed his food at least once.
Those who know him speak often of his reliability and his generosity. Francis remembers people easily, even from events he catered decades ago, and he greets them with the same warmth he carried in his early years. His approach to work has always been simple. Show up, work hard and serve with sincerity. These values were shaped long before he stepped into professional catering.
Francis grew up in a modest household where discipline and responsibility were essential. When he ventured into catering in the early 1980s, the industry was still developing in Ipoh. He started with borrowed equipment and long hours, guided by determination and faith. Event by event, he earned trust through consistency. His curries and comfort dishes became familiar favourites that marked celebrations across generations.
His role in the community extends well beyond food. Francis has supported church programmes, contributed to charitable efforts and served actively in Rotary. In each space, he carries the same steady presence. He is known for being dependable, helpful and ready to step in whenever his community needs him.
Francis recently launched the second edition of his autobiography titled A Self-Made Brand. The book brings together memories, photographs and the many moments that shaped his career and his life. It documents decades of service spent in kitchens, halls and community spaces across Ipoh. Readers will find stories from his early catering days, images from significant events and heartfelt messages from people whose lives have crossed paths with his
At 67, Francis Martin is still greeted with familiarity wherever he goes, instantly recognisable in his signature red and his unmistakable Afro. His presence carries the same warmth that built his reputation, a reminder of decades spent serving the people of Ipoh.
Only a few can claim to feed a community for a lifetime. Francis Martin can.
