Fong Sheng Hao PLQ - Retro Charcoal-Grilled Toast

With their trademark charcoal-grilled toast, Fong Sheng Hao allows one to travel back in time to a traditional Taiwanese breakfast cafe setting with a retro storefront.

Enthusiastic sharing by the owners Louis Tan and Mr Shi. Their passion for the brand is incredibly contagious!

The open kitchen, textured cement wall, solid wood tables and chairs, were all specially curated to bring out a rush of nostalgia. Walls are adorn with visual information about the ingredients and the unique preparation methods.

Toast is produced in-house with Fonterra NZMP Anhydrous Milkfat and Old-Dough Technique creating that soft bouncy texture...

The Cane-Flavoured Black Tea uses Sugar Cane Syrup extracted from freshly-peel sugar cane boiled overnight for 12 hours that natural cane sweetness...

The brand has been recommended by the Magazine B Michelin Guide in 2018. A must try is the Pork Egg & Cheese + Drink ($7.30 with Kopi)...

Peanut Butter Special + Drink + Hard Boiled Egg ($7.10 with Kopi) amazes with the additional sprinkling of peanut shavings on top of the toast...

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|  PLQ  |  Elemen  |  Fong Sheng Hao  |  Hibiki  |   Mom's Touch  |  Morphine Coffee  | 

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Morphine Coffee PLQ - Creative Brewing

This open space outside Paya Lebar Quarter mall is  the Plaza, and was built with the intention of creating a buzzling hub with events, activities and performances are organized. The sheltered space is well-ventilated with air circulator fans. Diners are welcome to sit at the tables and chairs next to the fun fountain area.

Morphine Coffee is an independent micro roastery that sells brewed coffees and teas from S$1.60 to S$3. Made with traditional Robusta beans, the beans are roasted on the spot, and brewed with special techniques by the crew of young entrepreneurs.

Good to try are their Matcha Latte ($5.50) or Hojicha Latte ($5) blended and thickened with an emulsifier to create the smooth creamy taste. Check out also their Speciality Cold Brew ($5.50)

Read more about PLQ

|  PLQ  |  Elemen  |  Fong Sheng Hao  |  Hibiki  |   Mom's Touch  |  Morphine Coffee  | 

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Italian Food & Beverage Singapore

For the fourth year in Singapore, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (ICCS), together with the other Italian Chambers of Commerce in Asia, organizes the Italian Food & Beverage Singapore (IFBS). The IFBS is a regional platform where Italian companies in the food industry can meet buyers from across Asia. Merlion Wayfarer was fortunate to attend the event and meet some of the exhibitors at the session.

 

In collaboration with Seeds&Chips and Emerge, the first Italian Food Innovation event was also held in conjunction with the annual Italian Food and Beverage event in Singapore. The Italian Food Innovation event is part of the True Italian Taste Project, which is promoted by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development and coordinated by Assocamerestero, the association that brings together 80 Italian Chambers of Commerce in the world. This large network proudly promotes authentic Italian food at a global level.

Briefing by Hawksford, a company providing incorporation and taxation services, about "Doing Business In Singapore"...

Started a couple of years ago in the United States and in Europe, now the Project has extended to many Asian countries, amongst which is Singapore. The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore will focus on increasing knowledge locally about real Italian food, in markets where the genuine Italian food experience is challenged by other products that utilize Italian names and/or symbols that recall Italy but are not authentic.

The aim of the project is to educate about the meaning of quality European certification such as DOP (protected designation of origin) and IGP (Protected geographical indication), labels that certify a specific link to the place they have been produced, so to educate consumers to look for those labels and find authenticity.

TRUE ITALIAN TASTE aims to:

• Tell consumers all over the world about the benefits of true Italian products and the importance of the link between foods and the places they come from
    
• Help food lovers to choose and use authentic Italian ingredients, supporting both businesses and consumers
  
• Support Italian makers of certified, traditional and niche products who would like to be better known on international markets, and reinforce and expand business opportunities for companies already present on world markets
     
• Show how to take advantage of the healthy qualities of true Italian food, promoting organic products, dietary supplements, and certified Italian products.

  

According to the needs of the regional market and aware of the important Italian know-how in the agri-food sector, ICCS aims to present a selection of Italian excellence in the field of Food Innovation in Singapore. The Italian Food Innovation exhibition brought in 15 Italian startups and innovation companies in the food industry to Singapore.

Samples from Primavera Foods & Agricultura Biologica, a company responding to the growing awareness of the central role of food in well-being and health. Their research-based and gluten-free food includes soups, risottos and pasta...

The event allowed Italian companies to meet potential business partners and investors and offer Asian companies the possibility of creating a network of relationships with possible suppliers and technological partners with whom to develop new projects. During the event, a panel of juries assessed and awarded the startup with the best innovation idea. The winner will get the chance to utilize ICCS facilities and services free-of-charge for six months.

For more information, visit the ICCS Events page.

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Okada Coffee Japan - The Romance Of A Loving Couple

The career of Hide Okada the professional chef and coffee roaster began 30 years ago. A culinary school graduate majoring in Chinese cuisine, he started teaching soon after his graduation.

Kae was a junior in the same cooking school. A hardworking and serious young lady, she took some time to get used to the male-dominated culinary environment, and was never moved by any of Hide's jokes. She continued in her quiet hardworking way and was always kind to others. Hide fell in love with her, and successfully courted her to marriage.

After their marriage, they did not work in the culinary industry. They persisted for more than ten years in their jobs before Kae's health was overwhelmed by the terrible stress they felt. At this point, they both realized that there was more life than high salaries - Physical and mental health mattered more.

Without the presence of his wife and life companion by his side, Hide knew that he had to do something for her. He was desperate to seek any solution that could help Kae. Eventually he came to know about the ability of fresh coffee fragrance to stabilize women's emotions.

A regular coffee drinker, he would normally look for places to buy fresh coffee beans. But now, he was inspired by his own cooking background. After all, there can be no fresher beans that the ones you roast yourself, he thought.

Coffee beans handpicked to ensure their premium quality and freshness...

Although an expert in Chinese cuisine, he was still a layman in coffee roasting. He thought hard about how to begin and bought a simple coffee roaster, trying out roasting methods using his gas stove at home. Many incidents occurred which left a terrible smell and mess in the kitchen. Undaunted, Hide continued his roasting trials in his garage using a portable burner stove. Determined to make the perfect cup for Kae, he finally succeeded with his culinary experience and ongoing persistence.

Determination and mastery at work...

Nevertheless, Kae still preferred tea. She disliked the bitter aftertaste of regular coffee, and refused to touch Hide's painstakingly-roasted beans. This made Hide start sharing some leftover roasts with his family and friends. They loved his fragrant roasts so much that they were willing to pay for more of them. Hide then made up his mind to leave his torturous job and make his living selling coffee. He found an old store in his own town, and opened his own coffee joint, selling his beloved roasts side by side with his wife.

Seven years have since passed.

At times, Kae was so seriously ill that Hide had to man the store alone. But he persevered. Eventually, his store became famous in the region with his aromatic coffee, served with homemade dishes and delicious desserts made with love by the couple.

The regular coffee served by Hide is no longer "regular" but a special brew roasted with love and served with warmth. Kae started to recover, and fell in love with the coffee made with her husband's full heart. It is this special coffee that changed the life of two ordinary people and their love.

And today, they are here to serve their special brew to Singaporeans at the Food Japan Asia, so that we can enjoy their fragrant brew from our sunny island of Singapore.

Roasts available:

Even when prepared from a makeshift booth at Food Japan 2018, Okada's brews were smooth with light fruity overtones and low acidity. The fragrant aroma entices one to take yet another sip to savour the silky smooth viscosity of the intense flavour.

Coffee taste guide:

Here's how to order:

www.okada-coffee.jp/cavia

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SG Coffee Festival 2017 - Upcoming Highlights

A stimulating spread of brewing workshops, home roasting demos, flavour profile discovery classes, café talks and coffee degustation sessions await java junkies at Singapore Coffee Festival (SCF) 2017. Singapore’s only coffee-centric festival will also play host this year to the electrifying Singapore Aeropress Championships 2017, organised by Common Man Coffee Roasters, as well as the largest-ever Barter Market, a unique cashless bazaar featuring more than 20 local makers and artists and presented by urban artist Sam Lo’s Indigoism outfit.

Other highlights this year will include workshops on leather-crafting, candy-making and no filter photography, as well as morning yoga and other family-friendly activities including storytelling sessions. Arts will also play a big role in this year’s festival, which has the theme “espresso’self”. Singapore Writers Festival (SWF) will conduct SWF POP @ Coffee Festival, where two teams of writers and artists compete to produce poetry/prose and illustrations based off coffee-related prompts from the audience. Visitors can also join ST artists in live graffiti performances along the wall panels of the venue, or get coffee doodles and coffee poems on takeaway cups in an Artistic Recycling Programme.

More than 80 exhibitors will be showcasing their premium brews at the event, including new entrant Jewel Coffee and hipster stalwarts Common Man Coffee Roasters, Chye Seng Huat Hardware and Oriole Coffee + Bar. Cafes such as Symmetry and Hyde & Co will offer an al-fresco dining experiences along the Sunset Wharf amid live music acts on Saturday (5 Aug) and Sunday (6 Aug) evenings. Festival-goers can also enjoy hard-to-find artisanal gourmet and beauty products from social enterprises at The Good Market. 

Tickets are available for sale from $18 (for ST subscribers with promo code or DBS/POSB cardholders) for 4 August, Friday, to 6 August, Sunday via sgcoffeefestival.com.sg. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/sgcoffeefest or www.instagram.com/sgcoffeefest/. 

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Caffe Vergnano - Barista Challenge 2016

To the sounds of cheering, whistles and buoyant atmosphere, Caffè Vergnano 1882 kicked-off their inaugural Barista Challenge at South Beach where 16 baristas steamed, foamed, frothed and created latte art to impress the judges and audience. Organised and sponsored by Caffè Vergnano 1882, Italian coffee machine producer Faema, Coffex Pte Ltd and bar tools supplier Barstylez, the event was a fun and resounding success with the top three winners setting the bar for future competitions.

Clinching the top position at this high-performance latte art competition is Mr. Joseph Bringcula from Google Singapore, a clear winner right from the start who impressed the judges with his calm and consistent execution of latte art. Followed closely by second place winner Mr. Stephen Wong from The Coffee Belt who displayed great skill in coffee extraction. Last but not least, the third place went to Mr. Rudel Rivera from D’Good Cafe.

Competitors were tested on basic skills involving preparation of espresso-based drinks from the optimal extraction of espresso to the artful texturing of milk to bring out the flavours of the coffee to the ability to adapt. Taste, aesthetics/latte art and customer service were definitely on display and in full-force at this competition.

“I think it was a breathe of fresh air. I like the community to see that these baristas are not just very good milk pourers and latte artist, if given a chance, they will make very good non-alcohol mixologists. I very much like to drive this further with more competitions and support from sponsors.” 

-- Tony Tan, General Manager of Coffex --

From the success of Barista Challenge 2016, Caffè Vergnano 1882 is confident that this will be an annual event that will help boost the coffee sector and raise the profile of baristas in Singapore.

Caffè Vergnano 1882 Singapore is located at South Beach #B1-17, and is open on Mondays to Fridays from 8am to 9pm, and Saturdays to Sundays from 10am to 6pm. Find out more at www.caffevergnano.com.

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ENTERTAINER Singapore - Launching 2017 With Over 1700 1-For-1 Offers

The ENTERTAINER, the region’s leading Buy One Get One Free incentives brand, recently launched their line of products for the upcoming 2017. Founded in 2001 by Donna Benton, the ENTERTAINER provides Buy One Get One Free incentive offers from well-known dining, leisure, entertainment, beauty and hotel brands across the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe. Packaged together and published as market-specific books and now as an award-winning App, the ENTERTAINER has enjoyed phenomenal growth by virtue of a strong partner network, a burgeoning corporate loyalty business and a broad base of delighted customers. Today, the ENTERTAINER offers 35 products across 40 destinations in 14 countries.

By the end of 2016, ENTERTAINER members in Singapore will have used over 310,000 digital offers, with the average member saving over S$650. To reward members, "Smiles", a virtual currency system which allows members to earn and spend rewards throughout the year, was recently introduced. Rewards include offer top-ups, for when you’ve used all three at your favourite spots, extra Pings and more.

At the Entertainer launch party held at Gravity Bar...

ENTERTAINER Singapore 2017 is packed with over 1,700 Buy One Get One Free offers for hotels, restaurants, cafés, attractions, leisure activities, spas, fitness, retail and more, delivering up to S$250,000 in savings throughout the year. Providing customers with exclusive savings at Singapore’s most celebrated venues, the range of offers span outlets such as Meat Smith, Jamie’s Italian, Open Door Policy, Bedrock Bar & Grill, Wave House, Spa Luna Sentosa, Forest Adventure and many more.

Where the "in" crowd gathers...

This year, ENTERTAINER introduces a brand new digital product, Cheers Singapore 2017 featuring hundreds of Buy One Get One Free offers exclusively redeemable on drinks at your favourite restaurants, bars and nightspots. Offers range from single beverages to bottles of wine / spirits / beers, double cocktails, and pitchers at world-class venues include LongPlay, Gravity Bar (Carlton hotel), Mad Men Attic Bar and Sentosa’s Finest - Bob’s Bar, Museo.

Right now ENTERTAINER Singapore 2017 is available for a special discount of S$30 off the regular price. On top of this great price, every purchase of Singapore 2017 includes Cheers Singapore 2017, absolutely free. This exceptional deal is available for a limited time only, directly from the ENTERTAINER.

With the purchase of any 2017 digital product, ENTERTAINER members will also enjoy exclusive access to "Hotels Worldwide", which includes Buy One Night, Get One Free offers at over 500 hotels across the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Choose from hotels, resorts, hotel apartments, bed & breakfasts and lodges in over 30 popular destinations including Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Vietnam, Dubai and more. Hotels Worldwide includes international hotel brands such as InterContinental, Marriott, Fairmont, Sheraton, Banyan Tree, Radisson, Shangri-La and Hyatt. 

“Our 2017 products deliver incredible value at the most extensive range of outlets available, giving our customers the opportunity to save money, go out more and spend quality time with friends and loved ones,” 

-- Donna Benton, Founder and Chairman of the Entertainer --

The ENTERTAINER App is available to download free on iOS or Android app stores.  For further information, please visit our website www.theentertainerme.com.

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Toast Box Sprouting Kits - A Little Coffee Goes A Long Way

To mark its sixth year milestone, Toast Box joins forces with non-profit charity organization, ABLE (Abilities Beyond Limitations and Expectations), to join hands with their beneficiaries to raise awareness and funds for ABLE’s rehabilitation, respite and training programs.

This year, the funds will be raised through the sales of Sprouting Kits - a portable-sized cup that comes with soil compost processed from Toast Box’s recycled coffee grounds, together with seeds for growing the sprouts. As part of its initiative to give back to the community, Toast Box has been supporting ABLE through fund-raising programs in the last six years.

Together with ABLE’s staff and beneficiaries, Toast Box’s staff volunteers pack and assemble each individual Sprouting Kit by hand - from sticking of labels onto the cups, to packing the soil compost, seeds and instructional guides.

These packing sessions keep the beneficiaries physically and socially active as they interact with Toast Box staff volunteers, working hand-in-hand to accomplish these tasks. It also allows Toast Box staff-volunteers to better understand the challenges faced by the beneficiaries and how the funds raised can serve ABLE’s programs which are aimed to help the physically-challenged live with dignity and lead a productive, meaningful and independent life.

To take this social community effort further, this year’s fund raising also stems from Toast Box’s creative way of giving back to the environment by recycling their coffee grounds and reusing them as soil compost.

"This year, our beneficiaries are especially delighted to play a part in this fund-raising initiative and through Toast Box, we hope to reach out to more members of the public to increase awareness of our services and to help more beneficiaries."

-- Gene Lee, Executive Director of ABLE --

From 22 September 2016, portable-sized Toast Box Sprouting Kits were available across 35 Toast Box stores*, sold at $5 each. 100% of all proceeds from sale of these kits will go directly to ABLE to support their rehabilitation, respite and training programs.

*Sprouting Kits are sold at Toast Box outlets at 100AM, Bedok Mall, BreadTalk IHQ, Bugis Junction, Causeway Point L1, City Square Mall, Clementi Mall, Compass One, Eastpoint Mall, Esplanade, Greenwich V, JEM, Kitchener Complex, Marina Bay Sands, myVillage, NAFA, nex @ Serangoon, Paragon, Parkway Parade B1, Pasir Ris Sports Centre, Plaza Singapura, Rail Mall, Resorts World Sentosa, SAFRA Toa Payoh, Shaw House, Singapore Cruise Centre, Sun Plaza, Suntec City Mall, United Square, VivoCity B2, Waterway Point, West Coast Plaza, Westgate, Yew Tee Point, Zhongshan Mall.

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