The city of Geraldton is mourning the loss of one of its favorite restaurants, Laian, which closed its doors last week.
The sudden shutdown has left a void in the community, and fans of the eatery are still trying to come to terms with the news.
A Brave Battle: Head Chef Nadeem’s Cancer Diagnosis
The reason behind the closure is the brave battle that head chef Nadeem Turkia is fighting against stage four lymphoma.
Nadeem had to leave Geraldton for Darwin to undergo chemotherapy, leaving a significant gap in the restaurant’s operations.
Despite the team’s best efforts to keep the doors open, it was impossible to maintain the high standards that Laian was known for.
A culinary Gem: Laian’s Rise to Fame
Laian opened in mid-2022 and quickly became a sensation in the local culinary scene.
Its Middle Eastern menu and warm hospitality drew in patrons from far and wide, earning it a spot in the top 100 restaurants in the 2023 Western Australia Good Food Guide.
Nadeem even featured in an episode of celebrity chef Adam Liaw’s SBS show, The Cook Up. Under Nadeem’s guidance, Laian put Geraldton on the Australian food map, and its closure is a significant loss for the community.
Memories and Gratitude
Nadeem expressed his gratitude to the community, saying, “We had big plans for Laian, and we worked with an amazing community to achieve them.
It was an absolute pleasure to serve you, and we made so many memories, becoming one big family.” The team at Laian is also heartbroken, and the decision to close was a painful one that brought tears to their eyes.
A Hope for the Future
As Nadeem focuses on his treatment and recovery, the community is waiting with bated breath for the next chapter of his story.
There’s hope that it will still include Geraldton, and that Laian will one day reopen its doors. For now, the city is coming together to support Nadeem and his family during this difficult time.
Send your well wishes to Nadeem and his family in the comments below, and let’s keep our fingers crossed for a speedy recovery and a possible Laian comeback!