People | Food For Thought

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 Best Bars in Malaysia: A Bee, A Bird and A Bartender

6th June 2020Nicholas Ng

Asia's 50 Best Bars | Best Bars in Malaysia | Food For Thought

The recent Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 had quite a number of toss ups, with new entries abound and a change in the top spot. But what has Malaysians buzzing are these three bars making the list. Bar Trigona with its honey-centric programme; JungleBird, the bar named after the only Malaysian cocktail; and Coley Cocktail Bar, which takes its namesake from the first female head bartender of The Savoy, Ada Coleman. We speak to their head honchos to find out a little bit more. Continue reading →

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 Industry Icon Award: Agung Prabowo of The Old Man Hong Kong

28th May 2020Nicholas Ng

When it comes to the bartending industry, there are a few names that need no introduction, and Agung Prabowo is one of them. The brainchild of the Hemingway inspired bar, The Old Man originally opened in Hong Kong and has now expanded with the opening of The Old Man Singapore. Agung has been recently crowned (like his namesake) the Industry Icon Award at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020. We speak to him to find out more about his philosophy as well as the creation of some of The Old Man’s iconic concoctions. Continue reading →

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 Bartender’s Bartender: Jay Khan of COA Hong Kong

26th May 2020Nicholas Ng

Jay Khan | Altos Bartenders' Bartender | Asia's 50 Best Bars 2020 | Food For Thought

Jay Khan is one of Asia’s best known bartenders, not only because he makes excellent cocktails, but has helped further educate the public about agave. The Hong Kong born native was recently crowned the Altos’ Bartender’s Bartender at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 and in addition to that, his bar COA has also placed number 3 at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars this year. We speak to Jay to pick the his brains on his thoughts about bartending and bartenders. Continue reading →

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 Art of Hospitality Award: David Nguyen-Luu of Manhatan Bar Singapore

23rd May 2020Nicholas Ng

Manhattan | Michter's Art of Hospitality Award | Asia's 50 Best Bars 2020 | Food For Thought

Manhattan Bar at the Regent Singapore needs no further introduction, with its time and time again ranking as at the World’s 50 Best Bars and Asia’s 50 Best Bars. Winning the Legends Of The List award in 2019, and also number 1 bar in 2018, Manhattan has gone on to win the Art of Hospitality Awards this year, which comes as no surprise. We sit down with Bar Manager David Nguyen-Luu to learn about more about their approach to hospitality. Continue reading →

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 Sustainable Bar Award: Ashish Sharma of Bar Trigona

1st May 2020Nicholas Ng

50 Best Cocktail | Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award 2020 | Bar Trigona | Food For Thought

Bar Trigona in Four Season Kuala Lumpur has won the Ketel One Sustainable Award at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020, taking the crown for the second year in a row. The honey-centric bar’s practice of using the liquid gold as its focus and its efforts to keep everything sustainable from leaf to twig. We had a chat with Ashish Sharma, Head Bartender of Bar Trigona to learn a bit more about their sustainability efforts and their adopt a beehive programme. Continue reading →

Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2020 Best Female Chef: Cho Hee Sook of Hansikgonggan

7th March 2020Nicholas Ng

Chef Cho Hee Sook | Hansikgonggan | Food Dor Thought

Korean chef Che Hee Sook has recently been named Best Female Chef at the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2020, which specialises in Korean traditional cuisine. Her restaurant Hansikgonggan is known for elevating very traditional dishes in a spectacular display without losing touch with its roots. In conjunction with International Women’s Day, we hear what she has to say about winning this spectacular honour as well as her advice for young female chefs entering the culinary industry. Continue reading →

The Sagacity of Richard Seale of Foursquare Rum Distillery

29th February 2020Nicholas Ng

Richard Seale | Richard Seale of Foursquare | Food For Thought

When it comes to rum, there are few distilleries that equal the complexity of the Barbadian Foursquare Rum Distillery. Other than being world renown for producing some of the highest quality rum in the world, they proved this by winning best rum producer at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2019. One of their latest offering is the Foursquare Sagacity, and who better than the rum royalty himself Richard Seale to educated us on the wisdom and philosophy of the Foursquare Rum Distillery. Continue reading →

Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2020 Icon Award: Yoshihiro Murata of Kikunoi

23rd February 2020Nicholas Ng

Chef Yoshihiro Murata Preview | Yoshihiro Murata of Kikunoi | Food For Thought

Yoshihiro Murata of Kikunoi in Kyoto has been awarded the American Express Icon Award for the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2020, an award voted on by one’s peers. Known not only for his championing of traditional Japanese cuisine, but also originating the Japanese Culinary Academy, we sit down with the esteemed chef to know a bit more about his journey. Continue reading →

Look At This Stuff, Isn’t It Neat: Disney Magic Of Animation

5th February 2020Nicholas Ng

Frozen 2, 2019, Concept art, Lisa Keene © Disney | Food For Thought

The Disney: Magic of Animation is currently exhibiting at the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands, and gives you an opportunity to allow your childhood come to life. From The Little Mermaid to Frozen 2, this rare opportunity to experience over 90 years of animation and original artworks by the Walt Disney Animation Studios. We sit down with Mary Walsh, Managing Director of the Walt Disney Animation Research Library to learn a bit more about how that Disney magic is brought to life. Continue reading →

Tetsuya Wakuda of Waku Ghin

15th January 2020Nicholas Ng

Chef Tetsuya Wakuda | Waku Ghin | Epicurean Market 2019 | Marina Bay Sands | Food For Thought

Tetsuya Wakuda is one of the most famous chefs when it comes to Japanese cuisine, from his early days at Tetsuya’s in Australia to his stint as a Masterchef Junior Australia judge, he has interpolated his cuisine from every facet of his life and travels. Influenced from Australian produce to Singaporean, we pick the brains behind Waku Ghin at the Epicurean Market 2019 to find out more about his philosophy and cuisine. Continue reading →