In conversation with: Masterchef Australia contestant Tommy Pham

Mar 17 2023

Living in Singapore, you might not be familiar with Tommy Pham, but foodie loving friends and family in Oz will be able to fill you in! Tommy graced Australia’s TV screens in Australia Masterchef not just for Season 13, but also Season 14 last year. He star soon rose to celebrity status and today he follows his passion for food with collaborations and foodie pop-ups alongside taking care of his two little boys, Miles and Hugo.

For those unfamiliar with Masterchef Australia here in SG, please tell us a little bit about yourself …

I was born and raised in NSW, but coming from a Vietnamese background, my mum used to always cook me food from my culture. We lived in Cabramatta which was basically a mini Vietnam in itself! My passion for food started when I moved to Japan to live for a couple of years. I’d often miss home and cooking was a way for me to transport myself back to Oz and Mum’s dining room table.

You starred in Masterchef Australia for two seasons. How did this come about? The first season came about after a friend’s mum suggested I should give it a shot – I’d never considered it before! When I was called by the producers to join a second season, to be honest, I wasn’t too thrilled! Another six months away from my family was not what I was looking for, but thankfully they understood my concerns about leaving my young family and kindly allowed them to join me.

How was starring on the TV show?

MasterChef is an extremely crazy way to test your mental and physical abilities. Filming can take up to 14 hours a day, but the rewards you reap after the show are amazing. I wouldn’t change it for the world! I think for me, the way I stayed mentally strong was to just take it one day at a time. If I thought too far ahead or into the past I’d freak myself out. I always tried to stay in the present moment, knowing that it was a privilege to be on the show and that every second was a blessing.

What was a highlight for you?

The biggest highlight was being able to showcase Vietnamese food and culture. It warmed my heart whenever I had people from a Vietnamese background in Australia message me telling me how they felt represented, and how they loved seeing they food they ate while growing up on national television.

You showcased many Vietnamese dishes from your childhood on Masterchef Australia. What’s your favourite?

Bun mam, a super-funky dish that was extremely pungent in smell! It was almost cathartic to be able to cook that dish, as it felt like I was saying “This is me, this is Vietnamese food, I don’t care if it smells this way, I know it tastes amazing, and I’m not scared to make this kind of food!” I was right as the judges loved it and I won the challenge that day!

You’re curently collaborating with The Westin Singapore on a menu. How did that come about?

I was looking for places to stay in Singapore and emailed The Westin. We got chatting and they asked if I wanted to collaborate on a menu for Cook & Brew. It hadn’t crossed my mind as I was only visiting Singapore for a quick visit. I initially thought it would be too hard to organise a menu in such a short period of time, however, we did it and now there’s an innovative pop-up menu available right now which I’m really proud of.

Talk us through your menu for Cook & Brew…

I really wanted to connect what I do with Vietnamese food to Singapore. Once I had that thought, I looked at the Cook & Brew menu to see how I could incorporate my ideas into what they are already offering. My pop-up food menu includes Bahn Mi, an iconic Vietnamese street food, but with roti instead of a baguette. Main Cha Ca La Vong features a tumeric, dill and spring onion dish, served with bee hoon, a classic Singaporean noodle, all sauced together with a intense Vietnamese Nuoc Mam. Dessert Flan with an Espresso Kacang and condensed milk sauce is my tribute to Vietnamese coffee and the classic Singaporean dish, Ice Kacang.

How does the food in SG compare to the Vietnamese dishes close to your heart?

I love love love Singaporean food! It has that perfect mix of familiar flavours, but different dishes that makes it comforting yet suprising and tantalisingly different every time. Besides chicken rice, I love satay skewers. My favourite local dish though, is Singaporean chilli crab and black pepper crab. You just can’t beat the crab in Singapore!

Would you consider going back on to Masterchef?

Hahahahahahah – never again! Six months two years in a row is enough for me! But seriously, I have two little boys now and I want to spend as much time as possible with them while they’re still young.

How important is it for you to pass on your passion for Vietnamese food to your kids?

I would say it’s the most important thing in my life right now. They are my world and I want them to know how special they are and how special their heritage is. I think having an understanding of your heritage really helps with understanding who you are, where you belong, and the importance of family.

Savour Tommy’s three-course menu ($68++ a person)at Cook & Brew, The Westin Singapore, Level 33, Asia Square Tower 2.

Women in business #3: Claire Glenn

Mar 16 2023

“I needed 20 years of experience to launch my own business!”

New Zealand-born Claire Glenn is the Artistic Director at Conundrum Theatre. She has lived in Singapore for three years after moving from Australia with her husband, Anthony, dog, Hazel, and cat, Rufus.

Tell us about Conundrum Theatre …
We’re a theatre company in Singapore for young people. Our aim is to create unique theatre experiences for children, teenagers and emerging artists. Unlike other youth theatre companies, we present original works alongside our classes and tours to other countries.

Have you always worked in theatre?
I’ve been in the industry since I was 14, when I joined the Playhouse Theatre in Dunedin, New Zealand. I also studied theatre in Dunedin before moving around the world to Melbourne, Edinburgh, regional Australia and Adelaide as an actor, producer and director. I was also the Festival Director of the Fairfax Festival in North West Victoria, and Executive Producer for Carclew’s ExpressWay Arts. I needed 20 years of experience to launch my business!

When did you launch?
Conundrum Theatre was born in December 2020 in Singapore, but we spent six months preparing. Our first project in July 2021 resulted in a new full length play entitled The Aftertime. Since then we’ve staged I Still Have No Friends by Alby T Grace, and a new play called The Evolution Revolution went on tour in Australia in February. Right now we’re in rehearsals for the show Chaos by Laura Lomas, a project by our new Impact Collective comprised of 12-15 year olds.

Where’s your base here?
Most of the producing work is done from home, but our studio is located at The Yards on the East Coast. This is a fantastic hub of creative, sporting and culinary businesses for the East Coast community. Our studio is a flexible working space and perfect for classes, rehearsals, and visual art activities.

What obstacles did you face as an expat launching a business in SG?
I have no business training at all, so everyday there’s an obstacle! Fortunately, I have amazing advisors and consultants through Expat Consulting. I think engaging experts is a really great way to overcome an issue. It doesn’t mean you’re less good at your job, it means you’re willing to learn to get better at it.

What do you wish someone had told you about running a business?
That you will think about it all the time – even when you sleep. And that sometimes your to-do list will be so long you’ll have to start a second to-do list! Maybe even a third. If I was to do something differently, it would be to study business at the same time as being at drama school.

Claire’s business boo-boos (and what she learnt)

I’ve created some classes that haven’t worked out. It made me learn that what might be in demand in Australia or New Zealand isn’t in demand in Singapore. It was disappointing, but I try not to think of things as failures. Art is all about trying something to see if it works. If it does, fantastic, if it doesn’t, try something else
Strategic planning hasn’t been my strongest skill. I’ve tried to launch projects with only a few weeks’ notice, so now I’m learning to think ahead
When I set up the business, I didn’t have the capital to apply for an EP for myself, so I stayed on my DP and got a Letter of Consent instead. Six months later, the rules changed – something that happens in Singapore with little warning. I try to not be defeated now when the rules change

[email protected]

whataconundrum.com

facebook.com/conundrum.theatre

instagram.com/conundrum.theatre

A better milk alternative? This could be it

Mar 15 2023

Sponsored Content

WhatIF Foods is an innovative new company, forging a path into a better way of food production. Their belief is that there’s always a more suitable way of meeting consumer needs. They aim to create delicious products that are Better for us, Better for communities and Better for the environment. Afterall, who doesn’t want to feel their very best?

So does this mean their milk alternative is a better choice?

WhatIF Foods make premium quality food products using the brilliant Bambara Groundnut. This legume uses less water and needs less agricultural space than its rivals, plus it regenerates the soil, making it perfect for farmers to take degraded land and utilise it for productive agriculture again.

WhatIF’s BamNut milk has a pleasant, nutty flavour with a smooth and creamy mouthfeel. This is great news for those who find the taste of some alternatives to be too limiting or perhaps the texture too challenging. This unique flavour makes BamNut milk a straightforward switch.

WhatIF uses the whole BamNut which means the milk is packed full of goodness for all the family:

Only three ingredients (all non-GMO), plus vitamin and mineral fortification
2x protein as almond or oat milk combined
5x the fibre of all other milks on the market, which is fabulous for gut health
Naturally high in iron
Lactose and gluten free, with no added sugar, gums, stabilisers, or preservatives

As a healthy choice, there is no question about it. But if you’re still weighing up the options, see how it stacks up against the competition below:

If you need more convincing, this milk is certainly peerless when it comes to environmental credentials. It requires 20x less water than almond, less than half the land required by oat or soy, and less than half the greenhouse gas emissions as well. By REimagining the way we produce food, collectively we can make an important and positive impact on the planet.

Are you ready for BamNut Milk?

There are three varieties available to suit different tastes and usage. Everyday (the all-rounder), Barista (for the coffee connoisseur) and Airy (for those who prefer a lower calorie option – only 80 calories per serve).

The proof is in the tasting and according to WhatIF you can drink it, mix it, bake it, and cook with it. So, as well as adding BamNut milk to your latte you can use it in everything from smoothies and brownies to pancakes or curries. There’s a huge number of tasty recipes to try on their website, but we’ve chosen an indulgent favourite for you, a Banana Chocolate Smoothie (see right). A quiet treat for yourself or the family, this smoothie not only tastes spectacular, but you can take comfort knowing that you’re doing something a little bit better with every sip.

We think you’re going to love it.

If food made better sounds like it’s the thing for you, then it’s time to give WhatIF Foods a try. Their milks are available at select Cold Storage and CS Fresh stores, Amazon, Redmart, NTUC Marketplace or hop over to their website and buy direct. When out and about, ask for BamNut Milk in your favourite drink at the following cafés:

Banana Chocolate Smoothie

Ingredients:

2 frozen bananas
1 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tbsp creamy natural peanut peanut
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup BamNut Milk Everyday

Directions:

Blend all ingredients
Smear some peanut butter on the glass and pour in the smoothie
Top with chocolate shavings and enjoy!

Scan this code for 20% discount on your first order

Hotspots: A new musical menu at Tippling Club

Mar 14 2023

We at ANZA believe there are few finer things in life than a good drink and great music, so we were thrilled to hear that two of our favourites were being brought together for a new concept menu at Tippling Club. Taking tunes from six decades, guests are invited to discover the ‘tracks of their years’ as they settle down at this sophisticated stalwart for a session of sensory sipping.

The new menu, dubbed A Guide to Modern Drinking Volume III — 6 Decades of Music is the brainchild of Arathorn Grey, the head bartender of Tippling Club and a big fan of – you’ve guessed it – music. He tells us it was his first passion, having learned saxaphone as a child and playing in his school’s marching band.

The cocktail inspired by “Greenbacks” by Ray Charles nods to some of the lyrics

Grey took inspiration from songs from the 1940s to the 1990s to craft a complementary collection of 31 new cocktails. “Choosing the songs took a while,” he admits. “I wanted each drink to deliver something of the sound or emotion of the song, to provoke memories from a time in our lives, or even a blast from a time before us.”

Each cocktail pays homage to an artist and their music, features exciting and intriguing ingredients blended together with contemporary techniques, and comes presented with a twist. Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” kicks off the 1940s – a sweet and creamy mix of Metaxa, Christmas mix, snowflake, cacao, and cream. In the blues-inspired 1950s section of the menu, “Greenbacks” by Ray Charles is presented as a stout whiskey, carthusian monk liquor,chardonnay and lime mix, not forgetting the mini-dollar note on the side, nodding to the lyric, “On a greenback, greenback dollar bill, just a little piece of paper, coated with chlorophyll…”

As you glide through the decades, numbers such as the 1960’s “Savoy Truffle” by The Beatles fill your cup with remi martin 1738, gin, amaretto, squash, vetiver and – of course – truffle. Simon and Garfunkel are honoured with “Scarborough Fair” and a serve that fuses Tequila, vermouth, peach, sage, rosemary and thyme. Come the 1970s, Fleetwood Mac are represented with “Gold Dust Woman”, a Champagne cocktail featuring a gold-plated ice block. Our smash hit however, is Madonna’s “Dear Jessie” from the 1980s. While not her most famous song, this cocktail was undeniably Queen Madge with bombay sapphire, plum, citrus, port, soda, and a special little decoration on top…

“Funky Monks” by Red Hot Chili Peppers delivers a peppy and punchy concoction of clairin haitian rum, habanero, lime, ginger, blackcurrant and soda. Thankfully, unlike most of the 1990s for us, this was memorable, sipped in moderation, and we can remember getting home afterwards …

Verdict: A Guide to Modern Drinking Volume III — 6 Decades of Music is a fun and unique menu with forward thinking drinks that transport you to the past. Enjoy it with a gaggle of friends, or if you’re feeling introverted, prop up the bar with headphones and download a playlist curated Tippling Club from the menu’s Spotify link to drink to as you go.

The Tippling Club

38 Tanjong Pagar Rd

088461

The best of learning communities at Singapore American School

Mar 13 2023

Sponsored Content

As part of SAS Reimagined—our campus upgrade project at Singapore American School, our ninth grade humanities learning community is a first of its kind and was designed to create a sense of community, increase access to various types of learning spaces, promote student agency, and provide more opportunities for student and teacher collaboration.

Dedicated educators

These new spaces enable educators and students to strengthen relationships and foster an inclusive culture while focusing on high quality practices to plan, learn, teach, and assess.
Units taught in our ninth grade learning community never fail to surprise and—more
importantly—help us look at both history and literature from a new perspective. Whether it is remixed Romeo and Juliet scenes or our very own mini-museum on ancient empires, it’s a guarantee that you will have a lot of fun with these lessons. Who said that literature and history classes had to stick to the old textbook?

Students enjoy learning, growing and building connections in our ninth grade learning
community because of the incredible flexibility the space offers. Classrooms are designed to enable effortless collaboration or productive alone time, with movable walls and sound-proof booths that allow students to work in whatever environment suits them best. Innovative curriculums also engage and excite students, going beyond traditional textbooks to offer a fresh perspective on history and literature. Dedicated educators work tirelessly to support learning and ensure that students have the best possible experience, prioritizing a diverse and respectful community that values collaboration and interdisciplinary learning.

With a focus on student agency, students are free to showcase their strengths through a variety of methods, and a robust formative-summative feedback system helps students better understand class content and improve their skills. Finally, a flexible furniture system allows for endless configurations to suit any class activity, promoting collaboration and deepening understanding of complex topics.

Campus upgrade

After several years of planning and school community engagement involving thousands of
parents, educators and student voices, Singapore American School’s campus upgrade project is now in full swing and scheduled for completion in Fall 2026. Over the next few years, SAS will put in place support aimed at empowering educators to deliver high-quality experiences tailored to the individual needs of each student.

The project reimagines the role of classrooms and buildings in the learning journey: a flexible campus with international school facilities that will meet the needs of current and future students as education changes over time. There will be more space for learning, activities and new school programs, and modular spaces that enable teachers to adjust learning spaces according to student learning needs. Parents can also expect innovative systems that not only support learning well into the future but also promote energy efficiency, meeting Singapore’s Green Mark Platinum standard and the WELL standard.

Singapore American School
Website: www.sas.edu.sg
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +65 6363 3403
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/singaporeamericanschool/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samericanschool

6 feel-good getaways for health & wellbeing

Mar 13 2023

Travel and wellness experiences have evolved way beyond a basic back ‘n’ shoulder massage at a hotel spa. Indeed, a wellbeing holiday can be anything that leaves you feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and rebalanced, and you don’t have to go to Eat, Pray, Love proportions to feel the benefits. From personalised programmes including Thai boxing to Tibetan prayer, to trips that encompass all the family, here’s a selection of healing-havens that are perfect for a pick-me-up.

Soneva Fushi, Baa Atoll, Maldives

A trip to the barefoot bliss that is Soneva Fushi is likely to always make you feel brighter, but on top of their spa menu of dedicated rituals including Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbalism, and methodologies such as vitamin therapy, they’re taking their commitment to Zen to another level. Their inaugural immersive wellness festival, SOUL, happens this September and welcomes guests to explore the concept of feeling good in all its forms. The event runs over 10 days, and participants can experience ancient traditions and modern innovations through workshops, programmes and one-to-one consultations led by visionaries, thought leaders, and health pioneers. All proceeds from tickets sold will go to the Soneva Foundation and Organic India Foundation which helps to support environmental, social and economic projects.
soneva.com

Six Senses Vana, Himalayas, India

Leave your tech at the door and slip your organic PJs on: Vana Retreat (translating as ‘forest’) is a luxury escape where mod cons and high fashion are unneccessary. Disconnection, peace and possibility are the name of the game here, but that’s not to say that it’s all about doing nothing. Upon arrival guests are prescribed a personal wellness plan based on Ayurveda, Chinese and Tibetan medicine. Days are spent enjoying ancient spa treatments: raag therapy is healing via time spent with a flautist; hor gyi metsa involves warm herbal poultices dotted on your body’s nerve channels alongside Tibetan prayer. Hiking, tennis, gym sessions and yoga are also available for those looking for something a little more energetic.
sixsenses.com

SHA Wellness Clinic, Spain

Want to sleep better, quit smoking, or shake long Covid out of your system? SHA Wellness Clinic could be your answer. This showstopping hideaway aims to treat major illnesses while also offering preventative programmes. Guests can choose from paths including Detox, Optimal Weight, and Healthy Ageing, and plans are tailored personally. Expect macrobiotic food, massages and treatments alongside informal lectures, cooking classes and psychological therapies.
shawellnessclinic.com

COMO Shambhala Estate, Bali

Fatigued bodies and minds are perked up good and proper on the personalised wellness programmes at COMO Shambhala. With a focus on detoxing, dealing with major life changes and general rejuvenation, activities combine dance, hydrotherapy and jungle hikes with more ancient healing therapies such as reflexology, ayurvedic massage and iridology. Everything is designed to guide each guest towards their personal wellness goals with assistance from resident experts including a dietician, Ayurvedic doctor, reflexologist, Oriental medicine specialist, plus fitness, yoga, Pilates, and qigong instructors. After a day of re-wiring, retire to your private spring water infinity pool and feel a whole new you emerging.
comohotels.com

Split Apple Retreat, New Zealand

After a stay at Split Apple Retreat you leave with less stress and more education on health and happiness. Many guests choose to arrive armed with blood tests to aid their medical consultation with a doctor who devises a unique wellness plan; others simpy visit to soak up the incredible scenery. There’s a Japanese spa, saltwater swimming pool, sauna, steam room and gym, but you’re likely to be lured outside where you can go bushwalking, horse riding, fishing, or opt to discover secluded beaches or swim with seals.
splitapple.com

Amatara Wellness Resort, Phuket

When it comes to personal wellbeing, you can never start too young, which is why Amatara Wellness Resort is a winner. Their Family Wellness Programme brings your whole brood together for some feel-good bonding. This three-night package teaches children how to incorporate wellness into their lives with spa treatments, family Thai boxing sessions, workshops that inspire green living and creativity, healthy snack making and cookery classes. For those without littlies, the focus is on fitness, yoga, meditation, weight loss and detox. Qualified practitioners are on-hand alongside top-notch wellness facilities including a spa, Moroccan hammam, gym, fitness studios and a yoga platform.
amatara.com

Buying vs renting property in Singapore as an expat

Mar 10 2023

Sponsored Content

Singapore is a beautiful city, with great shopping and dining options, and excellent public transportation, making it easy to get around the city. As an expatriate, you have many options for renting or buying a home abroad. What’s best for you will depend on your circumstances and preferences.

Advantages of home ownership

There are several advantages to home ownership. First, you have more control over your living space and can make changes to the house that suit your needs. Common examples include things that your rented apartment or house doesn’t feel right, such as the color scheme needs to be corrected or there needs to be more storage space. Secondly and perhaps most importantly, paying rent for an extended period would be lost expenses compared to paying a monthly mortgage which goes into repayment of a home you own.

Advantages of renting a property

When you rent property, it’s easy to move if you need to. For example, if a job or family situation changes and you need to move away from your current location, renting makes this much more straightforward. You can also change your mind about where you want to live at any time without having invested much in the property itself. In addition, renting gives less responsibility than owning a home because there will be no maintenance costs for fixing broken windows or repairing roof leaks; the landlord covers these tasks instead of being left up to the renters.

Pros & cons

Buying a home is often considered the more secure option, and renting has advantages too. Renting allows you to move around more freely, and with shorter leases, it’s easier to manage day-to-day life. If you’re sure you are making your current stay in a place for an extended period buying a home would be a better choice.

Location is among the most important factors when choosing which property to buy. The ideal location will be close enough for you or your family members to access quickly but far enough away so as not to cause too much noise during sleeping hours. Also, it should be near public transport options such as buses or MRT stations to make traveling around town easier without driving all the time, saving time and money, especially during the peak working hours.

Buyers are usually down to 2 choices in search of their property, and one would be buying a resale property from an existing owner. The property has already been built and is ready to move in. The other option is to purchase a brand-new property direct from the developers. This option would mean the buyer must continue renting for a few years while the new launch property is under construction.

New Singapore Launch Condominiums for Sale

A couple of new launch condominiums are located near Singapore’s famous east coast District 15 in 2023. These includes:

Tembusu Grand: A 99-year leasehold high-rise luxury condominium in a private residential neighborhood nearby Tanjong Katong. The sale preview starts in March 2023.
The Continuum: A Freehold luxury condominium between Haig Road and Tanjong Katong Road. The sale preview starts in March 2023.
Grand Dunman: A 99-year leasehold new development along Dunman road. The sale preview will be in Q3 2023. Please register your interest in viewing the Grand Dunman Showflat when it opens.

Buying a property in Singapore is a big decision, so you must research and understand all the factors involved before investing.

What to do in Singapore in March & April

Mar 10 2023

Join The Scrum!

This April, the world’s top rugby nations battle it out for two days at Singapore National Stadium to be crowned champion at the HSBC World Rugby Sevens. The two-day event will feature teams from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand, Samoa, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom, Uruguay and USA.

This Singapore leg is the ninth of eleven tournaments in the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2022/2023 season which started in Hong Kong in November 2022. Beyond the action on the field, there’s a whole host of exciting activities for all the family including games, live performances and an Easter Egg hunt. Purchase the one or two-day passes and get in on the action.
Singapore National Stadium. 1 Stadium Drive, 397629. 8 – 9 April.
singapore7s.com.sg

Get The Gogh

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience has already wowed visitors across the US and Europe since its launch in 2017 and from March you can witness it for yourself here on our sunny shores. The must-see exhibition is set to stun with more than 300 of Van Gogh’s sketches, drawings and paintings, alongside floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall digital projections. Look forward to fun activities in the exhibition space too, including yoga classes, art jamming sessions, and a themed café.
From March 2023. Resorts World Sentosa, B1 Forum 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269.
vangoghexpo.com/singapore

Sand Meets Screen At Tanjong Beach

Asia’s most beautiful spot to catch a film returns this April with Hendricks Sunset Cinema at Tanjong Beach. Kick off your shoes, get sand in your toes and settle down in a deck chair with a Hendricks G&T (one drink is included in the ticket price) for an outdoors movie experience. This year’s choices range from I Wanna Dance With Somebody and Triangle of Sadness, to Emily and The Menu.
27 April – 14 May. Tanjong Beach, Sentosa.
sunsetcinema.com.sg

Hey Mickey!

Forget flying off to somewhere exotic, travelling into the magic of Disney100 is also a possibility at Jewel Changi Airport right now. Come here (suitcase free) to witness the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, which comes complete with synchronised Disney-themed light and music projections. The four-metre tall platinum statue of Mickey Mouse is the centrepiece of Disney100, but there are also 10 other photo spots around the Forest Valley and Canopy Park.
Now – 19 April. 78 Airport Blvd, 819666. jewelchangiairport.com

Treehouse Adventures

It’s already completed sell-out shows in Australia and New Zealand, and now The 13-Storey Treehouse: Live on Stage will be brought to life in Singapore. The play, based on the multi-award winning book series by Aussie author Andy Griffith and illustrator Terry Denton, is ideal for children aged 6+ and features a seriously funny cast with magical moments of theatrical wizardry and imagination.
25 – 26 March. Victoria Theatre, 11 Empress Place, 179555.
sistic.com.sg

Rooms With An Oooh!

If you’re partial to the odd selfie, or need fresh inspiration for your Insta pics, don’t miss 29Rooms. This super-cool event has traversed North America and Singapore is its first stop on a bid for world domination. Spread over a 4,000sqm space, this pop-up exhibit boasts 29 themed rooms such as an all-white living room that visitors can throw some paint around in; and a toilet-focused room that pays tribute to the solace that you can only find in the bathroom (unless you have small children, of course). Alongside the interactive installations, there’ll be performances and workshops.
Now – 16 April. Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, 018953.
29rooms.sg

Women in business #2: Rebecca Forwood

Mar 8 2023

“I have found it challenging as a woman in this industry”

Rebecca Forwood is the Owner/Founder of The Fishwives Pte Ltd. She grew up in Hong Kong, went to school in Melbourne and moved to Singapore in 2000, where lives with her husband Will and children Chloe, Millie and Louis.

Tell us about The Fishwives …
It’s a gourmet/fine food business importing the best quality Australian and New Zealand food into Singapore. It’s like a gourmet supermarket where you can buy fresh meat, seafood, artisan cheeses, pastas and lots more. My ethos is clean and green, and no nasties. I won’t sell products that contain chemicals, antibiotics or hormones.

When did you launch?
I come from a very foodie family. My mother and aunt started importing NZ King Salmon into Hong Kong in the early 90s and I took over when they left in the late 90s. When I moved to Singapore it was very hard to buy fresh Australian and NZ produce, so I extended the business from HK into Singapore and started importing salmon every month. Over the years I added other products such as meat and white fish. I went from bringing in monthly shipments to opening a bricks and mortar shop in 2011.

Where do you operate from?
I started with a very small shop in Cluny Court and within nine months moved two shops down into a bigger space. The shop is open seven days a week, however, I either work from home or at our Warehouse on MacTaggart Road. There we have a big cold room, walk-in freezer, dry store area, processing rooms and an office.

What training did you need to launch?
My very first job was in the food industry in Australia working for King Island Dairies. I didn’t have any formal training, just learning on the job through the highs and the lows!

What obstacles did you face while launching the business?
When I started over 20 years ago, I had to get my husband to open the bank account which was a bit strange. Other than that it was fairly straightforward. I’ve found it challenging as a woman in this industry, where it has been predominantly run by men. I’ve had to be the squeaky wheel to get them to take me seriously sometimes, whereas I think men who’ve started similar businesses to mine haven’t had this issue.

What do you most love about being an independent business owner?
It’s really tough, but very satisfying. Looking at what I’ve built and knowing that I have played a part in the way the food landscape has changed in Singapore is quite rewarding.

Rebecca’s business boo-boos (and what she learnt)

Not doing reference and background checks before hiring senior staff is not a good idea! Always get three references
Not checking that new products had full export clearance before shipping them to Singapore was an issue. I only did it once, but it cost me a lot and I learnt my lesson!
I’ve always been very trusting of people, but it’s important to listen to your gut. When you start growing, everyone has an expert opinion on what you should and shouldn’t do. Because I didn’t have any formal retail training, in the beginning I didn’t trust my instincts as much as I should have

The Fishwives, 501 Bukit Timah Rd, #01-05B, 259764

thefishwives.com

@thefishwives

facebook.com/thefishwivesfinefood

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