Introduction Summary
Big Bern's American Grill located at 978 Toa Payoh North, #02-01, Stall 9 is Co-founded by husband & wife team Bernie Utchenik & Fauziah (*Zee for short**). They were the original founders of the Botak Jones chain but had since sold the chain to BJ Group for a 6-figure sum. Bernie Utchenik's American heritage is the key foundation of which the cuisine served at Big Bern's American Grill is based on.
Signatures served here at Big Bern's American Grill include good old American style Cajun Chicken, Fish & Chips using Basa Fish from Vietnam, New Zealand Ribeye, Australian sirloin, New York Striploin Steak, Louisiana Cheese Steak Po-Boy.
Here at Big Bern's American Grill, Bernie Utchenik prepares everything right from scratch. Be prepared to be enamoured by his rustic home-styled, American comfort food that is so reflective of his warm big heart and is an insight of the food Bernie Utchenik used to love as a boy back home in America.
The Beginning
Bernie Utchenik & Zee started Big Bern's American Grill as a new brand in Jan 2014.
The husband & wife team sold their Botak Jones brand a few years ago to BJ Group. At their peak when Bernie Utchenik & Zee ran Botak Jones, they had 13 outlets here in Singapore. Botak Jones grew from a single outlet to a successful chain of 13 outlets in barely less than 10 years. Eventually they sold Botak Jones for a tidy 6 figure sum. Bernie Utchenik & Zee gave up their Balestier outlet (where they were for about 6 months) to the Botak Jones Group.
With this new brand Big Bern's American Grill, Bernie Utchenik cleverly uses his own face as part of the branding to differentiate from the previous brand Botak Jones that he gave up to the BJ Group. Bernie Utchenik & Zee began planning for the set-up of Big Bern's American Grill in last quarter 2013, cumulating into actual full fledged operations in January 2014. Big Bern's American Grill is currently trademarked for Singapore only.
The Positioning
Big Bern's American Grill is positioned as an affordable pricing, value for money, All American comfort food restaurant. Bernie Utchenik wanted to give his customers the feeling of a sense of overall well-being after eating his comfort food cooked with lots of love from his warm big heart.
Bernie turned 63 this year. He recalls when he was a young boy, most restaurants in America were family-owned, family run, and served rustic home-made, home-style food cooked using homemade sauces, dressings, marinates, condiments & raw ingredients, and they proved to be popular among the customers. Here at Big Bern's American Grill, Bernie Utchenik wishes to rejuvenate & re-ignite that childhood memories of great American comfort food to the customers here in sunny island Singapore.
Here at Big Bern's American Grill, Bernie Utchenik makes everything himself, including his own spice mix, burger mix, etc. He is the only one who knows the recipes. He is open to feedback from his customers to further tweak his recipes to the local palates.
Ownership
Currently holding company Big Bern's Pte Ltd owns 100% of the Big Bern's brand & products. This holding company is owned by Bernie Utchenik & his lovely, beautiful, hospitable, extroverted & capable soulmate Zee.
Background & Experience
Bernie Utchenik is a self-professed Jack of all Trades & a Master of None. Before he went into the F&B Business, he was in the jewellery trade for a long time, he used to work in oil rigs, ran ski lounge in Colorado. Then in 1991, Bernie Utchenik step foot into the F&B business at Cherating Beach in Pahang, Malaysia. At the Cherating Beach, the restaurant owner was a Chinese lady who does Continental Cuisine. That was where he picked up chef's tips & recipes that grew with him when he came to Singapore.
Bernie Utchenik came to Singapore in 1996, & opened Bernie's as a pub-restaurant located at Changi Garden, where he serves Margaritas. Then in 1999, Bernie Utchenik bought out his partners & left the business. He then started "Bernie Goes to Town" at Boat Quay, operated that for 2 years & later sold it.
Soon, Zee & Bernie Utchenik were approached by friends Sarge Sergeant & Fiona Lee to help set up BLooie's at Jalan Tua Kong. But the two couples parted ways later. Bernie & Zee then went to The Handle Bar at Alexandra Road for a few years.
Thereafter Bernie Utchenik wanted some insurance of a stable steady business ownership. There was a stall available for lease at Pioneer Sector 2 so Bernie Utchenik & Zee started the Botak Jones brand, & run it for 4 to 5 years. In 2006 Bernie Utchenik & Zee were enticed to open their second outlet at Ang Mo Kio Coffeeshop. There the customers loved the ambience as it has an al fresco, cosy, laid-back setting.
Bernie Utchenik has been through a lot of upheavals in his entire F&B career that made him the resilient man that he is today with a never say die, Can Do attitude, which explains why he could make a comeback in setting up a brand new brand Big Bern's American Grill right after he gave up Botak Jones.
Bernie brings total more than 10 years' experience in F&B industry when he started Botak Jones. He had zero culinary experience when he started Botak Jones. The recipe he has now comes from days at Cherating Beach in Pahang, Malaysia plus his own development & research into ingredients over the years as well as childhood memories of good old American Comfort food to create his own Bernie's recipes of comfort food.
Expansion Plans
Whilst there are some brands he is in discussions with to open cafes etc in the future, Bernie Utchenik's first & foremost desire is for Big Bern's American Grill to be profitable & to break even soon within the year. Bernie Utchenik has no desire to be at the centre of control of many outlets. He hopes to open another 1 or 2 outlets under Big Bern's American Grill brand, then head for franchising. From his past experience, Bernie Utchenik has learnt not to be so hands on in the individual outlets. However he has no plans to open another new outlet this year.
Big Bern's American Grill Menu 2015
Big Bern's American Grill is located at:
978, Toa Payoh North,
#02-01, Stall 9, S(319001)
Tel : 67107362
Email : berniebotak@gmail.com
www.bigbernsamericangrill.com
Delivery at http://bigberns.foodpanda.sg
Opening Hours :
Monday (Closed)
Tuesday to Sunday 11.30am to 9pm
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