Edward Hyde
Founder & Managing Director

A British National known for his entrepreneurial spirit and respected as a man ahead of his time, Edward Hyde moved to vibrant Kuala Lumpur back in 1997, 22 years ahead of Brexit. His extensive background in the food & beverage industry started from humble beginnings as a kitchen hand in Sydney before eventually making his way up the ranks through sheer hunger and tenacity to the hallowed halls of Harvey Nichols in London, running the prestigious restaurant operations.

Today, he is the Founder and Owner of Gastrodome Sdn Bhd, with 3 La Bodega outlets around the Klang Valley. The very first La Bodega in Malaysia opened on Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru in 1999. He is also a member of the Caballeros de Vinos y Cavas del Penedes (a Spanish Wine Institute), BMCC (British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce), La Camara (Spanish Chamber of Commerce), and Leeds United Fan Club (the best football team in all of the UK!)

Well loved by his closest friends and family who would characteristically identify him as being a bit of a ‘twit’, nonetheless his laser sharp vision and direct communication style drives the people within his circle towards being the best versions of themselves. A champion for self-improvement strategies, he is often heard offering quotable quotes such as, “We are the makers of our own luck”, and “You’ve got a great face for radio”.

Sylvie Hyde
Founder & Director

A once-in-a-lifetime kind of woman, Sylvie Hyde is a French national and a unique individual. Hailing from Bayonne, famous for being the prettiest waterside city in France and the capital of the French Basque Country, she chose to move to bustling Kuala Lumpur in 1997 with her husband Edward and two young children, Florrie and William.

As a forward thinker, Sylvie’s ability to see potential and opportunity led her to partnering with Edward in the opening of La Bodega tapas bar in Bangsar Baru and also realising her dream with the opening of the serene, Balinese style, Ozmosis Health & Day Spa that opened its doors in August 2000. Today, she is a fellow Director of Gastrodome Sdn Bhd.

A respected mover and shaker in the spa and food & beverage industries, her compassionate side has led her to invest her energies into charitable works supporting Positive Living, a wholesome community centre for those living with AIDS and HIV. She is also a member of BMCC (British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce) and La Camara (Spanish Chamber of Commerce).

Alongside her commitments in the working world, her greatest priority is family-centric whether by blood or by bond. A charming personality with whip smart wit, she is the people’s confidant often offering those close to her sanctuary and a shoulder to lean on. Well known amongst friends and family as being a fantastic cook, her famous tarte tatin, mince pies and hearty roasts are eagerly anticipated at the Christmas table. When asked how she makes excellent omelettes, her best advice to us was to cook them “with eggs”. Well noted.

Pandian
Group Operations Manager

To the uninitiated, Pandian cuts a commanding figure with his large presence and crisp tone. As Group Operations Manager and a man with a cool head on his shoulders, he directs the Operations team like the conductor of an orchestra, turning chaos into harmony and opportunity.

Pandian joined the Group in 2001 after graduating in Hospitality & Tourism Management. Spending 18 years in the Food & Beverage industry, he is now an experienced and accomplished manager of difficult situations and difficult people, going by the saying, “Nothing a little ‘chat’ can’t fix”. His no-nonsense approach may come off as intimidating on first encounter, but his calm demeanour and sense of humour will quickly put any person at ease (unless you’re there for a ‘chat’). A dedicated and driven person, Pandian is a constant presence and familiar face in the restaurants, there to ensure the smooth running of its day-to-day operations and ensuring that the ‘Customer is King & Queen’ at all times.

Random Question: Which fictional character would be the most boring to meet in real life?

Pandian: Probably Groot. Imagine conversing with “I am Groot” responses for an entire meal.

Mel Anselm
Catering & Events

A lady wearing many hats, Mel is the friendly, helpful voice behind Gastrodome’s Catering arm, is Restaurant Training Manager and also PA to Edward and Sylvie. Her extensive experience in the hospitality and culinary world equips her to be the best person to head up the service best practices initiative for the Group.

Mel comes from a diverse career background beginning with the airline industry, moving into F&B event planning and management, spa consultancy and now leading into off-site catering as the Event and Catering Manager for the Group. Her curiosity, passion for service and razor sharp focus on Attention to Detail has driven her natural curiosity to her most recent interest; the acquisition of an Industrial Diploma in Labour Law and Industrial Relations Management.

This Bangsar-born beauty certainly has many things going for her with her outspoken personality and her natural charisma and influence. She is now championing the renaming of the ‘Training Department’ to ‘Learning & Development’ as she takes on the challenge of ‘making service cool 😎 again’.

She also has the determining say on where we go for lunch.

On top of all of this, she is also the proud owner of a number of tattoos depicting her favourite sports car brands; you’ll just have to ask her to show you. Occasionally too witty for her own good, she often delivers comments and one-liners that might go over like a fart in the wind; either you get it or you don’t.

Random question: What would you name your boat if you had one?

Melanie: The Floater