Pete’s Mediterranean Grill has a story that starts far beyond Singapore. In a TikTok video, Omar, a chef from Iraq, shares how his journey through different countries eventually brought him to Singapore, where he now hopes to share his love of food with fellow Singaporeans.
Although customers know him as “Pete”, the chef explained in the video that his real name is Omar. When he arrived in Singapore, he said Singaporeans found “Pete” easier to remember, and the name eventually stayed with him.
From Iraq to America
Omar said his journey began in Iraq during the 1990s. He later moved to America, where he started what he described as a new chapter in his life.
He spent around 15 years in America before meeting his Singaporean wife. The couple eventually decided to move to Singapore and start a new life there. Their daughter was also born in Singapore.
Omar said he found Singaporeans very welcoming when he arrived and that he adapted to the country quickly.
He also expressed gratitude for the support he received from Singaporeans throughout his time in the country.
For Omar, moving to Singapore was not only about starting a family life. It also gave him an opportunity to share something that had been important to him since childhood, which is food.
A Passion That Started In His Mother’s Kitchen
Omar said his interest in cooking began when he was a teenager. He recalled following his mother into the kitchen and becoming interested in trying new things.
He particularly enjoyed experimenting with spices and getting involved whenever he visited other families.
“I always loved the food,” he said, explaining that cooking had remained a passion throughout his life.
Now, he wants to use that passion to introduce his food to more people in Singapore.
At Pete’s Mediterranean Grill, Omar presents Mediterranean food while drawing on the experience he has gained throughout his life in Iraq, America and Singapore.
His social media video also invites viewers to share whether they have tried Mediterranean food before and where they are watching from.
Questions From Customers About Halal Food
Omar’s background has also prompted questions from customers about whether the food is halal.
In the comments, several people asked whether the restaurant is Muslim-owned and whether its food is halal. Omar confirmed that he is Muslim and said the meat used at the restaurant is halal at the source, but the business is not halal-certified.
The restaurant’s location has also caught the attention of customers. One commenter recognised the unit as the former Aston’s location along East Coast Road.
Pete’s Mediterranean Grill is located at 125 East Coast Road, Singapore 428810. The restaurant’s social media caption encourages customers to visit and experience its Mediterranean food.
For Omar, the restaurant represents an opportunity to share something that has been part of his life since he was young.
From watching his mother cook in Iraq to building a new life in Singapore, his journey has taken him across three countries and into the kitchen once again.
This time, Omar is inviting Singaporeans to discover the food that he has spent years learning, cooking and enjoying.
See the video here:
https://www.tiktok.com/@pete_grill_sg/video/7674367473260547335?_r=1&_t=ZS-990Ju9Pv6eb
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