Today was a good day. Introduced the set menu for lunch and was well received. Dinner was a little busy with two large tables. I'm so knackered right now but simultaneously feeling positive. Today's the first day, will see how it goes from here. Just included a few dishes to the line up.
Time to dock at the power supply bay. Tomorrow's another day, and I'm looking forward to it.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Goodbye
For the past week, I've been saddled with sadness and disbelief a family friend had passed away in a diving incident off Pulau Aur, Johor.
For reasons yet unknown, he encountered some difficulty with his rebreather underwater and passed out. The crew administered CPR while speeding him to the nearest hospital which was quite some distance. Sadly, he never regained consciousness.
My heart goes out to his family, especially Tristan, who is yet to be born and will never know how good a man his father was. Take care Marcus. Godspeed and may you rest in peace...
http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.com/2009/10/diving-tragedy-diver-was-honing-his.html
Friday, October 09, 2009
Back
Ahhh! Finally some time in cyberspace. Have been so busy the past month with the opening of my new restaurant, 'Chiim'.
I'm excited its happened after what seems like forever. Its still a work in progress as I plan to add things here and there as the business grows. Still can't really believe I'm a restaurateur now. One thing I can really believe are the hours involved. By the time I get done, I'm so knackered my social life is spiraling downwards.
I love the challenge. I've always wanted to own a restaurant(well, a chain of them!)and now this is the beginning of my passion. I'm hoping it will drive me and keep me motivated for as long as I'm still breathing.
'Food is the only thing that truly nourishes'
So why not let it be a passionate occupation at the same time?
I'm excited its happened after what seems like forever. Its still a work in progress as I plan to add things here and there as the business grows. Still can't really believe I'm a restaurateur now. One thing I can really believe are the hours involved. By the time I get done, I'm so knackered my social life is spiraling downwards.
I love the challenge. I've always wanted to own a restaurant(well, a chain of them!)and now this is the beginning of my passion. I'm hoping it will drive me and keep me motivated for as long as I'm still breathing.
'Food is the only thing that truly nourishes'
So why not let it be a passionate occupation at the same time?
Monday, June 15, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Culinary or Hospitality? Thai or European?
During my hiatus from the professional world, I've been contemplating going back to school. Best time to go back is during a recession. Yes, that's what we're knee deep in now.
Back to the topic. Its a toss up between culinary and hospitality. Though cooking has the edge, they're both definitely the core in the F & B business. Exploring options at the moment, may go back to Bangkok for it since there's a number of great schools catering to both.
Though mum and dad prefer their youngest to go for Thai, I'm leaning more towards European. Have never cooked anything Thai. Well other than emptying the ready made green curry ingredients into a cooking pan, stir and wait to simmer. Still some time left, though before you know it, its already the end of March.
Ok, time to weigh options!
Back to the topic. Its a toss up between culinary and hospitality. Though cooking has the edge, they're both definitely the core in the F & B business. Exploring options at the moment, may go back to Bangkok for it since there's a number of great schools catering to both.
Though mum and dad prefer their youngest to go for Thai, I'm leaning more towards European. Have never cooked anything Thai. Well other than emptying the ready made green curry ingredients into a cooking pan, stir and wait to simmer. Still some time left, though before you know it, its already the end of March.
Ok, time to weigh options!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Trip
So I was in Shenzhen recently for an unscheduled business trip.
For some time now, I've been persuaded by my brother and father to come aboard their company, in which their efforts have been fruitless.
About a week before new years, where plans were already made to meet up and celebrate with friends, dad calls to have a father-son talk. He started with the usual banter - my life and work in general. Then after a long pause and out of the blue he asked if I remembered how messy the family business became because of the internal conflicts. Bewildered, I nodded and answered at the same time.
"Well I want both you and Koko to be a successful team together." o.0 Uh?
"You can learn from his experience and complement him at the same time. I know you've built up something over there, but its my wish to see the both of you work closely, hand in hand. So do daddy a favor and go to China with him, at least have a break and consider."
I then knew where he was going with this.
Dad has always instilled in the both of us to support each other no matter what. The 'blood is thicker than water' has been an embedded phrase in our lives. I love my brother unconditionally and he likewise, but our working styles are very different and funny as it may sound, I don't want to end up jeopardising what we have, like dad and his brothers. Dad always regretted the family dispute, even if he was the victim. However, he was gentleman enough to let bygones be bygones and paid visits to them during the lunar new year as a show of respect.
Initially, I never understood his unforgiving gesture because he was forced out during the conflicts, and yet we received the best of education and quality of life as a whole. As a maturing adult I began to see he was the bigger man and I was proud of my father. The least I could do was give it a chance while taking it as a holiday.
Sorted out travel details and off to Shenzhen I went. In truth I was excited and happy. Part of me always wanted to visit the motherland and seeing dad so happy I'm giving this a chance. Its not often I see him happy and when there's the stolen laugh, smile or even a grin, its quite a Kodak moment.
While in Shenzhen, because my Mandarin's so rusty, I had to rojak-ed it up with Taiwanese Mandarin, local Mandarin(Pu Tong Hua) and some Cantonese as a means of communication. Hey its been almost twenty years, give me a break!
Though I didn't get to experience the sights and sounds as much, I'm glad to have made the trip. I learned about the Chinese culture, whereby at a business lunch, guests are required to 'feast'. The food though greasy, were delectable, great Szechuan cooking. Not surprising in just a space of nearly a week I piled on almost 3kg's... -_-"
And what's with all the honking???
For some time now, I've been persuaded by my brother and father to come aboard their company, in which their efforts have been fruitless.
About a week before new years, where plans were already made to meet up and celebrate with friends, dad calls to have a father-son talk. He started with the usual banter - my life and work in general. Then after a long pause and out of the blue he asked if I remembered how messy the family business became because of the internal conflicts. Bewildered, I nodded and answered at the same time.
"Well I want both you and Koko to be a successful team together." o.0 Uh?
"You can learn from his experience and complement him at the same time. I know you've built up something over there, but its my wish to see the both of you work closely, hand in hand. So do daddy a favor and go to China with him, at least have a break and consider."
I then knew where he was going with this.
Dad has always instilled in the both of us to support each other no matter what. The 'blood is thicker than water' has been an embedded phrase in our lives. I love my brother unconditionally and he likewise, but our working styles are very different and funny as it may sound, I don't want to end up jeopardising what we have, like dad and his brothers. Dad always regretted the family dispute, even if he was the victim. However, he was gentleman enough to let bygones be bygones and paid visits to them during the lunar new year as a show of respect.
Initially, I never understood his unforgiving gesture because he was forced out during the conflicts, and yet we received the best of education and quality of life as a whole. As a maturing adult I began to see he was the bigger man and I was proud of my father. The least I could do was give it a chance while taking it as a holiday.
Sorted out travel details and off to Shenzhen I went. In truth I was excited and happy. Part of me always wanted to visit the motherland and seeing dad so happy I'm giving this a chance. Its not often I see him happy and when there's the stolen laugh, smile or even a grin, its quite a Kodak moment.
While in Shenzhen, because my Mandarin's so rusty, I had to rojak-ed it up with Taiwanese Mandarin, local Mandarin(Pu Tong Hua) and some Cantonese as a means of communication. Hey its been almost twenty years, give me a break!
Though I didn't get to experience the sights and sounds as much, I'm glad to have made the trip. I learned about the Chinese culture, whereby at a business lunch, guests are required to 'feast'. The food though greasy, were delectable, great Szechuan cooking. Not surprising in just a space of nearly a week I piled on almost 3kg's... -_-"
And what's with all the honking???
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