DanielFoodDiary.com » Food – Desserts

Alfero Artisan Gelato Lor Kilat – I Can Believe It’s The Best Gelato In Singapore

admin — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 02:30:37 +0000

Fellow food blogger Jason Sim from “For The Love Of Food” concurred that Alfero Artisan Gelato is his best in Singapore. In his final blogpost, he wrote, “Don’t believe, then you got to try it to believe!”

For those who have yet to try out this “best gelato” in Singapore, you can make your way to their third branch at Lor Kilat. (Read: Alfero Gelato at Marina Square and Alfero Gelato at MacPherson) I know it is quite out of the way, so much so that my taxi driver does not have the slightest inkling of the location despite telling him “Uncle, at Bt Timah near Toh Tuck and Toh Yi.”

Though I was initially reluctant to travel, some compelling reasons to visit this new outlet is that it is neighbours with Carpenter & Cook (for round Two of desserts), Nook Panckes, Woorinara, Kim’s Family Restaurant and fellow competitor Udders. Owner Marco Alfero joked that if Udders is too crowded, ice cream lovers can always hop down a few shop to Alfero.

Marco who haild from Turin Italy is quite localised, scaling wet markets and fruit stalls to come out with new fresh flavours that Singaporeans would love.

Amongst the recently launched flavours such as Gula Melaka and Chocolate Mint, the pale green Avocado ($4.50 per cup) was the clear favourite, with the few of us scooping it all up despite diet plans. Unique is an understatement, unless you are Martha Stewart’s die-hard fan.

The avocado flavour subtlety lingers around your buds, tasting very real, milky and fulfilling. All without the ‘fake-ness’ that some fruit ice creams may have.

I was never never never a fan of durians – it’s the smell. But if you offer me a cup of Alfero’s Durian Gelato, I think I can finish a scoop. It feels like eating a smooth velvety refrigerated version of the real thing, without the heatiness and only a fifth of the smell.

Our table of weight-watchers was further assured that Alfero’s gelatos has only 2-9% fat, no artificial colouring or flavouring, less sugar than the usual, and is freshly churned at the MacPherson shop.

My friend Kenny who highly recommends Alfero is so confident that he says he will ‘blanja’ (treat) all of us if we did not like the gelato. Guess what – he did not need to. You really got to try it to believe.

(This blogpost is specially dedicated to food blogger Jason Sim. Artisan Alfero Gelato at Lor Kilat was his last-ever blog post and tweet, and we pray that he will have a never-ending supply of delicious gelato in a better place up there.)

Alfero Artisan Gelato
21 Lorong Kilat Singapore 598123 (near Carpenter & Cook) Tel:+65 64633835
Opening Hours: 12:00pm – 10:00pm Daily

Other Ice Cream Entries
Alfero Artisan Gelato (Marina Square)
Alfero Artisan Gelato (MacPherson)
Ci Gusta! (Anchorpoint)
Udders (Thomson Road)
The Daily Scoop (Chip Bee Gardens)

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Nook D.I.Y House of Pancakes – Pancakes Have Never Been This Fun + Vouchers Giveaway!

admin — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 02:00:47 +0000

Rainbow pancakes, red velvet pancakes, bailey’s pancakes and design your own pancakes… The very idea of Nook already sounds way too exciting. What better way to spend a weekday afternoon than to doodle some pancakes with your friend, and then eating your creation? Hmmm.

Nook is out of the way at Lor Kilat, a few shops away from Carpenter & Cook and Udders. While there are many pancake shops in Singapore, people come all the way here because they are the only and first DIY pancake art concept in Singapore. Meaning to say, all their tables are customised with a griddle in the middle just so you can flip your own pancakes and make you own pancake art.

The shop name comes from the word “The Breakfast Nook” which actually is a term used by the Americans in the olden days. It is actually a small corner where the poor have breakfast in the morning, where they get to bond and have a nice breakfast meal together as a family. Over at Nook, they also want everyone to come in to have a good bonding session together over breakfast and pancakes.

If you are lazy, the Rainbow Pancake ($12) with 6-coloured stacks is a can-order, surely to send your facebook or instagram likes to a record high with the photogenic piece. As with all rainbow desserts, Uncle Daniel here says this is a tad too sweet for my liking, and too much sugar sends me on a food coma. (Read: Rainbow Cake at Le Chocolat Café)

The Red Velvet Pancakes ($10) is definitely their winning item, soft batter without being overly saccharine, with the cream cheese filling adding a smooth velvety touch.

If you want to do your art classes justice, or want to draw a face/write a name to eat, you can go for the DIY Pancake package.

A 2-flavoured pancake with 3 toppings will set you back by $28. I think it’s a tad steep but worth the price if you split the cost with many friends, because you can stay there for up to 3 hours and make many many many pancakes with the squeezer bottles provided.

Maameemoomoo and I decided that drawing pancakes is maybe not our forte. Make a guess what we created?

DIY pancakes is really quite a fun concept for friends and families with kids to play with. For the idler people like me, I would love to see more creations such as the classic stacks, chocolate banana, strawberry cream or anything with ice cream.

Nook D.I.Y House of Pancakes Giveaway!
Nook will be giving 5 sets of a DIY Pancake Making Experience worth $28 to 5 blessed Daniel’s Food Diary readers!

All you need to do is to
Step 1: LIKES the FaceBook page of Daniel’s Food Diary
Step 2: SHARE this post on Facebook or RETWEET the post on twitter
Step 3: Leave a comment below to describe your ultimate PANCAKE flavour and toppings. Be creative!
Results will be announced 1st Feb 2013 (Fri)

Nook D.I.Y. House of Pancakes
21 Lorong Kilat #01-03 Singapore 598123 (Upper Bukit Timah), Tel: +65 6466 1811
Opening Hours: 12pm-10pm (Tues-Fri), 10am-10pm (Sat), 10am-7pm (Sun)

Other Sweet Entries
Le Chocolat Café (Ann Siang Road)
K-ki (Ann Siang Hill)
3 Inch Sin (Millenia Walk)
Drips Bakery Café (Tiong Poh Road)
Dessert Cup (Raffles City)

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Sogurt – Soooo Goood Yogurt at The Star Vista

admin — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 02:00:48 +0000

The Star Performing Arts Centre has officially opened today – 1st November 2012, with a grand opening concert by David Foster and friends over the next 2 days. This is pretty exciting for the local arts culture with a new performance space boosting a 5,000 seat theatre.

So I have also been to The Star Vista downstairs which has indeed many many many food outlets, which hopefully can handle concert goers during peak hours. Though I cannot help feeling a little sweaty there because it has no aircon (all natural air), and I instinctively headed to the yogurt shop first for a quick cool-down. (Read: The Star Vista’s Complete Food & Restaurant Guide)

Sogurt is a home-grown, yogurt-by-weight shop that screams of pastel pink and lime green, likely to attract the young and cheery. Contrary to many other shops, they even offer students in school uniform a 20% discount. Adults are warned not to try squeezing into their pinafore or tight shorts.

I spoke to its owner Lee Li Ping, whom at age 25, has already opened 5 yogurt stores.

Why the name Sogurt?
Usually get people to guess this one, but think you can sorta guess? I chose Sogurt cos it rhymes with “yogurt”, and would have a catchy tagline “Sogurt is SOOO GOOOOD”. Was pretty amused with the name myself at the start. Initially, I was set on “YO-mama”, but later discovered that a froyo store in HK already had the name, and hence had to come up with a new one, “Sogurt”. No regrets!

Why did u choose to sell yogurt?
Yogurt is my personal passion. I still eat my froyo almost every day, even after 3 years of being in business. Not sick of it one bit yet.

What were you doing before going into yogurt business?
I started Sogurt 3 months after graduating from USC (University of Southern California) in LA. It all started with my obsession for froyo when I was there, used to drag my friends to eat it with me every single day. Helped a lot also that there was a rising froyo trend in the U.S. while I was studying there. I was especially impressed and enticed by the self-serve froyo concept, thus came back and decided to share this love with my fellow Singaporeans.

What is your personal favourite Sogurt flavour?
Chocolate! I have a sweet tooth, love Sogurt’s choc flavour with nuts, digestive biscuits and sunflower seeds. Awesome combo!

(I love Sogurt’s light and smooth chocolate flavour too. Somehow chocolate in yogurt form also feels less guilty.)

How about the customers’ favorite?
This is a tough one as there is no ONE favourite flavour, but I’d have to say our lychee flavoured yogurt is quite a hit.

How do you ensure the yogurt doesn’t melt too fast in Singapore’s blazing heat?
Have a good AC system in our shops to shield our customers from the hot hot heat. Besides that, I guess I can say our yogurt is pretty delicious that it is usually finished even before given a chance to melt!

For those unfamiliar with the self-serve concept, steps are simple: Take cup; dispense the yogurt ; select the toppings; weigh the cup and pay $3.00 for each 100 grams you take.

Get the chocolate. It is really SOOO GOOOOD.

Sogurt
The Star Vista, 1 Vista Exchange Green, 01-34, Singapore 138617 (Buona Vista MRT)
Other branches: 617 Bt Timah Rd (next to Coronation), United Square, NEX, West Mall
Opening Hours: 11am-10:30pm

Other Yogurt & Ice Cream Entries
Swirl Art (Liang Seah St)
Once Upon a Milkshake (Maxwell Chambers)
The Daily Scoop (Chip Bee Gardens)
Ci Gusta! (Anchorpoint)
Alfero Artisan Gelato (MacPherson)

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Ladurée – Their Macarons Make The World Go Round

admin — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 03:00:23 +0000

[Tokyo, Japan] The favourite past-time of Japanese ladies seem to be sitting down at a cafe, savouring a pretty tiny piece of cake after a tough day of shopping. One of the cakes places to be caught in is definitely Ladurée in Tokyo, which are available at Ginza Mitsukoshi and Shinjuku Lumine. Having pastries and tea here is ‘tai tai’ life at its best.

Think about it: Luxurious European furniture, macarons of every colours, cakes that are just too pretty to eat, packaging boxes that comes in pink, violet and beidge, with the touch of ribbons and their signature pastel green paper box. This is the place to be seen. And perhaps having silent conversations of handbags and flowers.

Yes. I also felt awkward to be the only guy in the entire store.

For fans in Singapore, if you still have not heard, Ladurée is coming to town. What’s the fuss you may wonder? They ARE the inventor of the double-decker macarons (one ‘O’ please), known to be one of the best macaron makers, and still sell more than 15,000 of them every day.

From Singapore’s hearty love for macarons sold anywhere from Antoinette, Au Chocolat, Obolo, TWG, Canelé, Jean-Philippe Darcis, and Jewels Artisan, you know we have a slight obsession with the dainty brightly coloured sweet things.

The Parisian luxury patisserie chain is reported to be located in town, close to its sister company PAUL Bakery at Orchard. Let me make a guess, Paragon? (Read: PAUL Bakery)

One thing I must say. I have never once had bad service during my 2 weeks in Tokyo, until at Ladurée Shinjuku. The grumpy faced service staff did not smile at all. Shocking. It may be normal in other countries, but in Tokyo, this must be called ‘service-sin’.

The cakes are drop-dead gorgeous, every piece of them. But also drop-dead expensive. The reddish artificial strawberry lookalike cake cost more than $15, but also perhaps one of my most memorable cakes ever (in a good way).

The chocolate gelato topped with nuts, brownie and caramel sauce also tastes as good as it looks.

The main let-down was surprisingly, the macarons, especially when they were also freaking expensive. Price was 2940 Yen for 8 pieces (SGD$45, USD$37). I wondered if it had anything to do with my ‘guyish’ choices of vanilla, chocolate and coffee, and should have picked the more bubblegum coloured looking blackcurrant violet, green apple or strawberry candy. Not that they were any bad, but they were just … ordinary?

Until then, I hope the macarons in Singapore does not cost $45 for 8. Even though, I am sure people will still throng to buy them. Macarons? It’s never really about the taste.

Ladurée
Ginza Mitsukoshi 4-6-16 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8212, Japan
Tel : +81 (0)3 3563 2120
Shinjuku Lumine 2, 1F, 3-38-2 Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0022, Tel : +81 (0)3 6380 5981

Other Tokyo Entries
Café & Meal Muji (Ginza, Tokyo)
Tsukiji Honten (Shibuya, Japan)
Menya Musashi (Shinjuku, Tokyo)
Mutekiya Ramen (Ikebukuro, Tokyo)
Tsukiji Fish Market (Tsukiji, Tokyo)

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Au Chocolat – Don’t Miss This Sweet Treats Paradise at MBS

admin — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 02:00:26 +0000

Au Chocolat is a delightful additional to Marina Bay Sands, with a part-pretty part-whimsical décor, and a huge 4,700 square feet space comprising bistro, confectionary, gelato counter and even a retail segment.

Located above the skating rink at MBS, you may have thought that Au Chocolat (pronounced o ∫okola) with all the chi chi tai tai dining ambience would have been opened by the French. No, it is actually opened by Singaporeans, by the same people who brought us Ku De Ta and Catalunya nevertheless.

There is a childlike charm at Au Chocolat. There is a little girl Danielle (created after the owner’s niece) who is the central character at the retail side, soft toys of two dogs OO and Yu Fa (also inspired by the owners’ pets) and a running train on the ceiling. You almost feel like a child walking into a big candy stall.

The bistro offers a delightful selection of all-day breakfast, salads, pastas, roasted meats, crepes and munchies.

Its Truffles Fries ($15), strips of crispy potatoes drizzled with white truffles oil, seasoned with truffle sea salt, and coming wrapped in a made-believe newspaper, is easily one of the best around. The New Paper’s Wee Teck confirmed this. The fragrance of the truffles is impeccable and you can almost do it without the mayonnaise and BBQ sauce served.

Who can deny that eggs benedict is THE IT brunch dish of the year? Au Chocolat’s version ($18) has its eggs almost perfectly poached, coming with hollandaise sauce infused with red wine and dark chocolate. Surprisingly, the chocolate sauce does not overpower the dish, and adds an interesting twist to the otherwise predictable flavour.

It won’t be too much to say Au Chocolat is a sweet treats paradise. If your girlfriend is cake, crepes, chcocolates and cupcakes person, do not think twice about bringing her here.

The Stuffed French Toast ($18), with two slices of brioche bread filled with plump berries and indulgent mascarpone cheese is “Wow” Instagram worthy. The outer layer is coated with cornflakes for a slight crunch. If only it comes topped with gelato. If only.

Some may just skip the dessert menu and head off to the Confiserie to choose from a variety of cheesecakes, macaroons and cupcakes. The Kalamansi Meringue Tart is the popular choice among the girls, though I won’t mind an extra large Blanc Feuilletine Macaron ($7.00) with dark chocolate and crispy wafers vanilla cream, or a rich and dense Au Chocolat cupcake ($5.50).

Nothing like a sweet treat to end a meal.

Au Chocolat MBS
Bay Level L1-03, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956 (Bayfront MRT) Tel: +65 6688 7227
Opening Hours: 10am – 12am Daily

Other MBS Entries
Caffe B (Marina Bay Sands)
The Moluccas Rooms (Marina Bay Sands)

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Alfero Gelato – Snow White Gelato Is The Fairest Of Them All

admin — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 02:00:26 +0000

The taxi driver wondered why I would cab all the way to MacPherson Lane, “You mean you came all the way here just to eat ice cream??”

I did. Upon reaching, the rather ulu Alfero Gelato was not easy to find – somewhere in the middle of some old housing estate next to a green field, though the district was rustic, peaceful and beyond charming.

There is another branch of Alfero Artisan Gelato at a more convenient Marina Square, but MacPherson is where I can find the man himself – Marco Alfero. Since I am a fan of his gelato and described the texture as “creamy, rich, thick, smooth, heavenly”, I had meet its creator.

Marco, how long have you been in Singapore for?
I came from my hometown in Turin Italy since October 2009. I have been in Singapore for almost 3 years.

Were you in the ice cream business all along in Italy?
No, I was a finance manager in the semiconductor industry for more than 10 years.

I hear you enrolled into an ice cream university. Did you get a Bachelor of Ice Cream or something?
Haha, it was a certification programme with the famous Carpigiani Gelato University. They also produced the ice cream machine that I am using here.

Very smart of them. They sell machines to their students! How is your Italian gelato different from the usual ice cream?
Alfero Gelato contains only 2-9% fat, as compared to 18-30% fat in normal ice cream. Also, we use only the freshest ingredients – fresh milk, egg yolks, real fruits and nuts from Italy. Have you tried other gelatos in Singapore?

Of course, I am a fan of ice cream. But I feel they tend to be a little on the sweet side.
Yes, I have realised Singaporeans do not like overly intense and sweet things. That’s why I modified the recipe so that is less sweet.

Posing with the Italian ‘Godfather’

Yours is the first cafe in Singapore to store your gelato in covered pozzettos containers.
Yes, so that air and light do not affect the quality of the product. Customers used to wonder what I sell. Singaporeans are very visual people, and business was affected initially until they found out.

Any thoughts of opening a 3rd branch?
Yes, I am looking for a shop space now, probably by the end of this year.

I told Marco I almost tried every flavour available already, my favourites being the nuttier Bacio (kiss), Nocciola (hazelnut) and pistachio. Its turns out he just created two new flavours – the Snow White (Milk) and Tiramisu ($6.50 for a 2 flavour cup).

The Classic Tiramisu made with coffee, Marsala wine and Mascarpone cheese felt almost like I was eating the Tiramisu cake, only better because it was cold and creamy. While the Snow White felt a tad sweet initially, the simplicity of its flavour grew in me and you could appreciate the texture of the gelato on its own – truly the fairest of them all.

Alfero Artisan Gelato (Macpherson)
81 Macpherson Lane #01-37 Singapore (10-12 min walk from Tai Seng MRT) , Tel: +65 6848 4269
Opening Hours: 12pm – 9pm (Tues – Sat), 12pm – 6pm (Sun), Closed on Mon

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Chocolate Origin – Chocolate Love at First Bite

admin — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 02:19:40 +0000

Chocolate Origin has been known for its extremely chocolate cakes, and they have only 3 products in its shop – The original chocolate, dark and lava cake. This reminds me when Awfully Chocolate started out selling just chocolate cakes as well.

While they have been dishing out chocolate goodness in Changi Village (who can be very far for many) – the good news is they have opened a new branch at 313 Somerset.

They do not sell by the slice, the smallest size being a 6 inch cake ($29) which can serve about 6 persons.

When my friends and I first savoured their original cake, it is what we call “chocolate love at first bite”. The chocolate literally melted in the mouth, bursting with such sensation that we almost went on a ‘chocolate coma’. Probably the best chocolate cake in Singapore.

Full Post at InSing.com – Chocolate Origin opens at 313@Somerset

Chocolate Origin
313 Orchard Road, #B3-10A 313 @ Somerset (Somerset MRT) Singapore
Opening Hours: 10am – 9:30pm Daily

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Brunetti Melbourne – The Cafe of Italian Desserts. How Does It Compare To Singapore’s?

admin — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 02:00:06 +0000

[Melbourne, Australia] Some say a visit to Melbourne is not complete without a trip to Brunetti – the Italian café famed for its cakes, gelatos, chocolates, crepes and coffees. You may say there is already a Brunetti at Singapore’s Tanglin Mall, but trust me, they are really quite different.

While there are branches in Melbourne’s City Square, Camberwell, Fitzroy and Myer, the one to visit is at the iconic Carlton near Lygon Street, one of its most original locations.

The moment I stepped in, I went “wah-wah-mamma-mia”, and was immediately greeted by the high and mighty Profiterole right at the display, along with other mouth-watering desirable cakes that makes you go “Dear Profiterole, I want to savour you!”

The café is spacious and grand, like a supermarket, just that all your products are uncountable desserts and gelatos. I went up and down, not knowing even where to start. It was buzzing with energy and crowds – and spotted nuns lost in their desserts.

On one side is the Paninoteca savoury selection selling Italian savouries including panini, focaccia, bruschetta, fresh salads, savoury croissants and crepes, flat savouries, and pizza a taglio.

The food, such as my Lasagna and Insalata Di Proscuitto (AUD$13.90) wild rocket salad is decent, but I think you would have much wider and authentic options at “The Italian” Lygon Street just steps away.

Just how much better are the cakes at Melbourne’s Brunetti compared to Singapore’s?

On the left is Singapore’s version at Tanglin Mall (for real), and on the right is Carlton’s with chouz pastries filled zabaglione cream coated with overflowing generous dark chocolate ganache (AUD$7.90). Same same but different. Do you feel slightly… ‘cheated’ now?

The Lemon Brulee Tart ($6.50) – a shortbread base filled with a tangy lemon custard and topped with a fired sugar crust, is part sweet part sour that would give you a dessert awakening.

Brunetti Cakes began trading at the Faraday street location in 1985. The Angelé family acquired the business in 1991 and transformed the lovely café that it was into a truly authentic roman Pasticceria. They are also delighted to announce that the Brunetti café is moving back to its original home and will be located at 380 Lygon Street, Carlton from mid 2012.

Brunetti Carlton
194 – 204 Faraday Street, Carlton Vic 3053, Melbourne Australia, Tel: +61 03 9347 2801
Opening Hours: 6am–11pm (Sun-Thurs), 6am-12am (Fri-Sat)

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Goodwood Park Hotel – Who Wins the Showdown of the Durian Puffs?

admin — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 01:02:43 +0000

The durian season is here again, as the main fruiting season occurs from June to August – which means the durians you get now are more ‘fragrant’ and yummy. Fragrance for durian is really subjective. As what Anthony Bourdain says, you either love or despite it, and your breath will smell as if you’d been French-kissing your dead grandmother.

I hope nobody has ever done that.

Talking about durians, the best place to get your durian puffs and desserts has to be Coffee Lounge at Goodwood Park Hotel. Apart from the signature Durian Puffs and legendary Durian Mousse Cake, there are also all time favourites such as the Durian Crepe, Durian Strudel and Durian Cappuccino Cake.

I am no durian lover, but for the sake of this review, I ate each dessert twice with a showdown of its 5 popular durian desserts. *burp* (durian breath)

Number 1: “Mao Shan” Power Puff ($16.80+ per piece) comes in a shape of a powerful flying saucer, with creamy pulp in a mega choux pastry. This is crazy rich, and after having a quarter, the other durian puffs pales in intensity. Beware, this is limited stuff only for the month of June sold from noon to 7pm.

Number 2: Durian Puff ($6 for 2 pieces). I am sure this is the number 1 seller, looking like a profiterole with light mousse-y durian flesh. I like it that it is dainty, and fits into one mouthful.

Number 3: Durian Mousse Cake ($10.80 per slice). This star which kicked off their famous promotion in 1983 stood the test of time. The slice is velvety, yet not incredibly heavy.

Number 4: Durian Cones. The pair of mini chocolate and vanilla waffle cones filled with durian mousse delighted almost every girl in the table. So cute and petite. I never imaged anyone using ‘petite’ to describe a durian dessert. I was just okay with this, and wondered how it would be if it comes in an actual cone size.

Number 5: Durian ‘Pengat’ with Glutinous Rice and Gula Melaka only tastes good with the gula melaka sauce. On its own, the rice is too dry and ordinary. This is only available at the dessert buffet.

Some of the durian pastries are served in addition to the regular dessert buffet at the Coffee Lounge, $32.80++ with dessert only, $26.80++ additional top up with main course order, and $48.80++ with Taiwan Porridge buffet.

Warning though, bringing mints may not be enough, a toothbrush and paste is necessary for the attack of the durians.

Coffee Lounge, Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road, Singapore 228221 (10 min walk from Orchard MRT), Tel: +65 6730 1786
Opening Hours: 9am to 9pm daily (for Deli)

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The Story of Twelve Cupcakes – A Candid Interview with Jaime Teo

admin — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 03:11:03 +0000

Twelve Cupcakes was founded by Jaime Teo and Daniel Ong – the celebrity couple who met on the set of Mr Kiasu, got married, had a kid, and opened 4 cupcake shops.

Their cupcakes had earned very positive reviews from critics, fans and friends, with some saying this is probably the best cupcake found in Singapore.

When I received an sms from Chef Willin Low saying “Yoz! Just walked past bugis junction n saw ur new place!! Congrats man!!! So happy for u guys!”, I knew it was a case of mistaken identity again. I am Ang, the famous Ong married Jaime.

But Daniel Ang knew it was time to visit Jamie, to try her so-wonderful Rose on a Rose cupcake, and to share with everyone this exclusive candid interview.

Hi Jamie, why Twelve Cupcakes? Not Nine, Ten, Eleven?
If you noticed, there are 12 holes in a baking tray. And 12 is a very auspicious number?

Let’s see. There are 12 signs in a horoscope, 12 animals in the zodiac calendar, 12 months in a yea…And 12 numbers on a clock. If you are a bowler, 12 strikes equal a perfect to a perfect game. And Daniel used to bowl quite often.

You have opened so many branches of Twelve Cupcakes in a span of one year. Congratulations!
Yes, response at the first outlet was overwhelming, so much that we felt the need to cater to more customers and also grab hold of the opportunity.

Opening a shop is not easy. There will be so many things to do. How do you manage?
Daniel will be helping with the admin and paperwork, while I keep myself busy in the kitchen.

You are a superwoman! You need to oversee Twelve Cupcakes, ‘take care’ of Daniel and your kid, plus host gigs with Fly Entertainment.
Actually, the husband and shop are quite manageable. Hahaha. It is being a mother which is the most challenging –there is no rest time. A mother is on standby 24 hours a day.

You have such multiple roles. You were Miss Singapore Universes, an actress, host, and even a singer with the pop group One Fifth. Oh yes, I remember the song “Ai De Man Dong Zuo”.
Aiyah, don’t bring out the history already! So long ago. (I think she wants people to forget that she was in a girl group which I think sang quite good songs.)

Few people know you are in fact a food blogger! And hosted many other food programmes. If you would want to introduce one F&B shop, what would it be?
I didn’t know about this shop till I opened Twelve Cupcakes at Millenia Walk – Pullman Bakery. I get to buy the freshest items because my shop is nearby. My recommendations are raisin milk bread and Danish roll. Do you know females like to eat bread that are longer in shape because they are less messy? And the ingredients such as the sausage do not feel processed – very gourmet in fact.

Let’s talk about your cupcakes. If you can recommend only one flavour, what would it be?
The Red Velvet. Customers go like “Wow, so pretty”. Its charm is that it is not too sweet and fluffy. Customers also like fruity cupcakes, such as the mango, lemon and lychee flavours.

How about Daniel? Which flavour does he like?
Daniel is a model husband – he is very supportive and eats EVERYTHING that I bake. He is the one who persuaded me to open a shop like this.

Where do you learn how to bake these delicious cupcakes?
The truth? From the internet! But I experimented with many versions because many online recipes are too sweet.

Thank you Jaime. Can I take a few photos?
Sure, but please please upload only the pretty ones.

When I first visited Jaime, I was kind of surprised to see her wearing her nerdy specs, face slightly covered with baking flour, wearing an apron… kind of like a housewife – very unlike the glam Ms Universe look she portrayed on televison.

But what I saw was her determination. She was really in the kitchen icing all the cream, making sure every cupcake looks perfect and to her requirements. Surely being famous did help her in the business, but we also know of many other celebrities who failed in F&B business. And this girl really works hard.

Twelve Cupcakes
B1-60 United Square, 01-52 Millenia Walk, 01-28B Golden Shoe Carpark, B1-03B Bugis Junction
Opening Hours: 11am – 730pm (Golden Shoe), 11am – 9pm (The rest) Daily or till stocks last

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