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G-Beat debuts two new flavours, aims to export to neigbouring countries

G-Beat (Beat Your Level Co Ltd), the Thai energy drink for gamers, has expanded its flavour portfolio with two new additions: Berry Bomb and Peach & Plum, joining the existing Bubble Gum and Apple Booster flavours.

Enhanced with zinc for immune system support, vitamin B complex for brain nourishment, and Swiss-imported vitamin A for improved vision, G-Beat delivers a sugar-free boost of natural caffeine.

With a focus on accessibility, G-Beat has downsized its packaging to 230ml from 325ml and reduced the price to THB 23 from THB 30, making it even more convenient and affordable for energy seekers.

Looking beyond its gamer roots, G-Beat aims to become an integral part of every energising occasion, empowering individuals to conquer their daily challenges.

In 2024, G-Beat plans to expand its reach beyond Thailand, targeting Vietnam and the Philippines, two countries with thriving gaming communities in Southeast Asia.

 

First Tao Bin café with seating area to open in December

Image credit: Tao BIn

The first Tao Bin café will open at the The Mall Lifestore Bangkapi in Bangkok in December 2023. Unlike the brand’s vending machines, this new café will feature a dedicated seating area, providing patrons with a more traditional dining experience and offering both food and beverage options. Tao Bin café will retain the company’s self-service model.

Forth Smart Service Plc, the company behind Tao Bin, also has ambitious plans for its EV charging network. By the end of 2023, they aim to establish 100 Ginka EV charge points. A new prototype Ginka EV charging station with an integrated 24-hour Tao Bin café will soon be unveiled in Bangkok. Customers can enjoy Tao Bin’s beverages and foods while their electric vehicles receive a full charge.

For the overseas market, Tao Bin has set up operations in Malaysia and in Australia.

 

 

Novel dates milk coffee Kopi ABC Qahwa launches in Indonesia

Indonesia’s PT Santos Jaya Abadi, the producer of Kopi ABC, has introduced Kopi ABC Qahwa, a novel dates milk coffee that harnesses the beneficial properties of dates. Dates, or kurma, have become a widely used ingredient in food and beverages, including instant coffee, in Malaysia.

While the utilization of dates in food and beverages has yet to reach the same level in neighbouring Indonesia, their popularity as a food ingredient is growing due to their health benefits and appealing flavor profile.

Chao Sua launches New sub-brand “Chao Sua Snacks Pork Crunchy” to reinforce its leadership in Protein Snack Market to please health lovers

Monday 27 November 2023 – “Chao Sua” has unleashed the snack phenomenon by launching the sub-brand “Chao Sua Snacks” by kicking off its first product “Pork Crunchy”, a next-level innovation of Meat Snacks. Crispy pork sticks are combined with either almonds or roasted chilis with a focus on lean, containing 9 grammes of protein. The launch underlines Chao Sua’s leadership in the protein snack market and caters to the new generation’s lifestyle looking for tasty snacks with nutritional benefit. “Chao Sua” also aim to conquer the meat snack market by leading this market to grow by more than 50%.

Khun Napatr Morin, CEO of Chao Sua Food Industries PLC, disclosed further business plans. The company remains committed to its goal to provide high-quality food and becoming a part of Thai daily life with good living. The “Chao Sua” brand continues to grow under the vision “Bringing the Chao Sua secret recipe to you” by delivering innovative and quality products to be top of mind brand for customers. Furthermore, the company enhances product lines to better fit in with consumer preference on every occasion by expanding the sub-brand “Chao Sua Snack” to reinforces the leadership of protein snacks and to penetrate the meat snack market which still has plenty of potential for growth.

“Chao Sua Snacks” is a sub-brand of “Chao Sua” that aim to build clearer awareness of product in the company’s portfolio. The sub-brand caters to the growing demand of a new kind consumer who is looking for tasty snacks which are good for them. According to global trends people around the world have turned to delicious snacks with high nutritional levels, “Chao Sua Snacks” falls under the meat snacks category in the group of Better-for-you-snack, which aligns with the current trend of consuming healthier snacks. We see a gap in the market and have developed our product with innovation to response this trend. Latest, we have launches “Pork Crunchy” as an alternative for all snack enthusiasts who prioritize their health. We expect our new product will drive growth in the protein snack market.”

“Chao Sua Snacks Pork Crunchy”, a new snack phenomenon

Khun Sasikarn Mahasiri, Marketing Director of Chao Sua Food Industries PLC, mentioned that Pork Crunchy under the sub-brand “Chao Sua Snacks” was the debut for a transforming innovation into a new format. The product retains the key feature of being the ‘Deliciously Enjoyable Protein Snack’. There are two flavors including “Pork Crunchy with Almonds” – a whopping 9 grams of protein from both pork and almonds, and “Pork Crunchy with roast chili” – combining dried roasted chili with pork for a spicier experience with full-on lean. Both flavors are chock full of protein in every mouthful, and always made with high grades of pork, which is roasted rather than fried, for a product that is crispy and delicious, and a non-guilty pleasure.

In addition, the company is rolling out a comprehensive marketing communication activity that covers consumer awareness and engagement through both offline and online media. “James-Jirayu Tangsrisuk” has been appointed as the company’s new presenter, representing a new generation who are health conscious, playful, and full of positive energy. It is another strategy to enhance the brand image in the snack market with a distinctive character. The product is also being distributed through various channels that are easily accessible to consumers, including leading e-commerce platforms, convenience stores, supermarkets, and other modern trade nationwide.

“Currently, consumers are looking not only for tasty snack, but also added-value product that is nutritional benefit. This is why we believe Chao Sua Snacks Pork Crunchy will greatly appeal to health-conscious youngsters,” said Sasikarn.

Chao Sua Snacks Pork Crunchy comes in two pack sizes, 22g for 30 THB and 45g for 60 THB, and is available now on leading ecommerce websites, supermarkets, convenience stores and many other outlets near your home. Online channels comprise https://www.chaosua.com/, Facebook : Chaosua , Line Official Account : @chaosua and Shopee, Lazada

CP Chicken: Go For Launch’ Campaign Triumphs with 11 ADMAN AWARDS 2023, Garnering Top Honors in the ‘Ad That Works’ Category

Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited, or CP Foods, has achieved remarkable success with its ‘Thai Chicken: Mission to Space’ advertising campaign, uniquely titled ‘First Time in the World: Thai Chicken Goes to Space with CP.’ This groundbreaking campaign has been recognized with 11 awards at the ADMAN AWARDS 2023, a testament to its impactful advertising and communication strategy, perfectly embodying the ‘Don’t Make Ads, Make Impact’ ethos.

The campaign notably received the ‘Ad That Works’ award, a prestigious accolade that acknowledges advertising that merges exceptional creativity with significant consumer and industry impact. This award reflects CPF’s dedication to addressing consumer needs for safe, hygienic, and residue-free fresh food. The campaign’s concept aimed to elevate public awareness about the highest levels of food safety standards achieved through cutting-edge technology in farming and production processes. It showcased a revolutionary narrative in the fresh meat industry, setting new safety benchmarks by undertaking a project to send Thai chicken into space. CPF is collaborating with Johnson Space Food Lab to conduct comprehensive tests, including bacteria and chemical residue detection, from upstream to downstream processes, ensuring CP brand chicken meat meets the rigorous standards for space-grade food in line with NASA’s criteria.

Anarkawee Chooratn, Head of Corporate Marketing at CP Foods, underscored the collaboration with Wolf Bangkok, a leading advertising agency in Asia, Digital I Do, an online media agency, and IDEE STUDIO, an event agency, in this innovative campaign. The campaign’s novel idea of sending chicken meat into space as astronaut food earned substantial attention. The advertisement film received widespread acclaim, clinching 11 awards at the ADMAN Awards, including two gold, two silver, and seven bronze awards. A highlight was winning silver in the ‘Ad That Works’ (Effective Communication) category, one of the competition’s most prestigious honours. Additionally,  the ‘CP Chicken: Go For Launch’ ad film was awarded the 30 Young Judges Award, a special recognition chosen by a committee of young professionals under 30 years of age.

Anarkawee Chooratn expressed immense pride in these 11 recognitions from the ADMAN Awards 2023 and extended gratitude to Wolf Bangkok for creating a campaign that resonated across consumer segments. “The campaign assures that CP Chicken products are fresh and safe, meeting Space Safety Standards. These awards strengthen CPF’s commitment to innovating and enhancing food safety standards for our consumers,” Anarkawee stated.

Julie’s Biscuits, in Collaboration with Govt and Fastman Studios, Clinches Golden Kancil and Multiple Honours at Kancil Awards for its Groundbreaking Raya Festive Film

Julie’s Biscuits, GOVT and Fastman Studios celebrates their win at The Kancil Awards 2023

Kuala Lumpur, 27 November 2023 – In a remarkable triumph announced last Friday, Julie’s Biscuits, in collaboration with Fastman Studios and GOVT, proudly secured multiple awards at the prestigious Kancil Awards 2023 for its impactful and socially meaningful Raya festive campaign film. The accolades include Bronze in Film Direction, Silver in Scriptwriting, Gold in Film (Online), and the most coveted Golden Kancil for “Kisah Raya P.E.R.I.T.”.

Kancil Awards

Following previous successes, this groundbreaking achievement showcases Julie’s Biscuits’ commitment to clever and creative storytelling, transcending traditional expectations for a biscuit company. Working again with Fastman Studios and GOVT have proven instrumental in producing a corpus of solid creative productions that not only deliver comedic relief in a playful story but also push social boundaries around women empowerment.

Tzy Horng Sai, Director of Julie’s Biscuits, expressed his enthusiasm for the recognition and the company’s commitment to purposeful storytelling: “I am both elated and humbled by the multiple wins we clinched at the Kancil Awards. As a biscuit company, we aim to push boundaries and delivering impactful narratives that engage and inspire. This year was no different and we wanted to focus on the challenges of single motherhood. The awards reflect the dedication and hard work of the entire team, and we are immensely proud to have our efforts recognized by such esteemed industry accolades.”

Additionally, Kevin Poh, Group Creative Director of GOVT, shared his perspective on the collaborative success: “The Kancil Awards is the biggest creative ad show in Malaysia. So it was an absolute honour for our Raya work to be recognised there this year. Having the coveted Golden Kancil conferred onto Julie’s Biscuits, a true blue (and yellow) Malaysian brand, was the icing on a pretty special cake. A rare alchemy that began with our clients’ appetite for great work, sprinkled with the magic of Director Lobak from Fastman Studios.

It’s amazing to see how Lobak took a script about a mother-daughter series of misadventures, and dialled it up to 11. The care, heart and vision he and his team placed onto the film was literal gold. To have shared the stage with Fastman and Julie’s was one of the proudest moments GOVT has had this year. Our heartiest congratulations to them both.”

The awarded campaign, “Kisah Raya P.E.R.I.T,” is a short film that continues Julie’s tradition of creating provocative festive campaigns. The film is a poignant exploration of the deprecating stereotypes faced by Timah, a single parent, during the festive season. Timah and her daughter Farah take the audience on a heartfelt journey through their ‘balik kampung’ drives to attend Hari Raya celebrations throughout the years. During the journey, Timah confides in Farah for the first time about the harsh realities she faced as a single mother in a heartfelt and sobering conversation between mother and daughter.

Through a blend of comedy and sentimentality, the narrative reveals the inconsiderate judgements that affect those on the receiving end. Timah, as part of the secret society called P.E.R.I.T (Persatuan Rahsia Ibu Tunggal), seeks to end Hari Raya celebrations in 2023, showcasing resilience and a quest for understanding.

The Kancil Awards have long been regarded as a benchmark for creative excellence in the industry, making this achievement a significant milestone for Julie’s Biscuits.

Movember, Tackling Benign Prostate Hyperplasia, An Unseen Challenge Among Malaysian Men

Spokesperson:  Dr Christopher Lee Kheng Siang, Consultant Urologist and Endourologist, Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City

Dr Christopher Lee Kheng Siang

When men are asked where their prostate is, many get it wrong or are unsure. Many do not even know what it is. This male organ is a walnut-sized gland at the bladder’s base. The gland produces the fluid that protects and nourishes your sperm, while the muscles keep your bladder closed to keep urine from leaking out[i].

However, this vital organ can cause issues as a man ages, with one of the conditions being benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate enlargement. According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (2019), About 16% of men in Malaysia aged 40 and above have some degree of BPH, and the number increases to 33% in men aged 75 and above[ii]. Despite its prevalence, BPH often goes unnoticed, leaving countless individuals unaware of their condition and suffering silently.

In conjunction with the month of Movember dedicated to raising awareness about men’s health issues, Dr Christopher Lee Kheng Siang, Consultant Urologist and Endourologist at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City, delves into a crucial topic that affects many Malaysian men. Dr Christopher explains, “BPH is caused by the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland and can impact the quality of life of men due to the bothersome urinary symptoms.” The NHMS 2019 survey also reflects Dr. Christopher’s sentiments, with three in five men with probable BPH having a poor quality of life and being dissatisfied with their urination experience[iii].

Dr Christopher explains, “BPH is an advancing ailment that, in its early stages, may manifest as mild discomfort and inconvenience. However, if not addressed, it can progress to a severe condition known as acute urinary retention, where the urethra becomes fully obstructed. This can lead to an inability to urinate, posing a risk of kidney damage, urinary tract infections, and the formation of bladder stones.”

Unveiling the Silent Symptoms of BPH

“Many men dismiss urinary symptoms as a natural part of ageing, not realising that these symptoms can indicate a medical condition that requires attention. If you have not had alcohol or excess liquid shortly before bed, you should not wake up to go to the bathroom,” shares Dr Christopher.

He also identified some additional symptoms for men to look out for:

  • Frequent urination, especially at night, disrupts sleep patterns.
  • Urgency to urine and difficulty holding in urine, leading to some leakage.
  • Difficulty starting urination due to urethra obstruction, making it challenging to initiate the urine flow, resulting in straining during urination.
  • Weak urine stream due to the narrowed urethra caused by the enlarged prostate.
  • Incomplete emptying or dribbling at the end of urination, leading to frequent discomfort or urinating.
  • Urinary retention in severe cases where the individual cannot urinate. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention.

Taking Action Against BPH

Dr Christopher shares, “Men aged 40 and older, those with a family history of BPH, individuals with existing medical conditions like obesity, heart disease, circulatory issues, type 2 diabetes, or a lack of regular exercise are all at a higher risk of developing BPH. Nevertheless, there are very effective ways of managing this condition, depending on the severity:

  • For mild symptoms, lifestyle modifications such as managing fluid intake and reducing caffeine and salt can help ease the symptoms of BPH.
  • For moderate symptoms, medications can help relax the prostate and urethra muscles or gradually reduce the prostate’s size over time to make urine flow easily.
  • For men with more severe BPH or those who do not respond to medications, several different surgical procedures are available, and the best option for you will depend on your circumstances.

“It’s essential for individuals to consult healthcare professionals and explore suitable options tailored to their condition. Early detection is key. Regular check-ups can aid in timely diagnosis and appropriate management of BPH. Men must understand that seeking medical advice and exploring available treatment options can greatly improve their quality of life.”

For patients who think they have or suspect they might have BPH, Dr Christopher recommends answering the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) developed by the World Health Organisation to assess BPH symptoms and severity. He adds, “Having basic blood and urine tests done once a year to screen for infection, prostate cancer or BPH and visiting your urologist or doctor can help, but the symptoms score itself gives us much information.”

The variety of Treatment Options for BPH depends on the severity.

Dr Christopher also shares several surgical treatment options for more  moderate to severe cases of BPH, which include:

  • Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is one of the most common & widely practised surgery for BPH in the past decades but has some undesirable side effects, especially sexual dysfunction.
  • Water vapour therapy OR Microwave therapy is a modern, minimally invasive procedure performed as an outpatient treatment and suitable for mid-size prostate cases, and has the added advantage of much lower risk of sexual side effects.
  • Laser enucleation or Bipolar enucleation of the prostate is most suitable for large prostates as an alternative to the TURP surgical method.
  • Robotic prostatectomy is a state-of-the-art surgery for very large prostates as an alternative to open surgery to remove the prostate gland.

Precision and Progress: Robotic Surgical Methods to Treat Severe Cases of BPH

Robotic surgery for BPH has transformed the treatment landscape, offering patients a minimally invasive approach with remarkable benefits. Dr Christopher shares, “Minimally invasive surgery penetrates deep into the pelvis, reducing the impact of the abdominal wall thickness. It involves small, one-centimetre incisions compared to traditional surgical methods where the incision was 15-20 centimetres at the centre of the abdomen. This significantly minimises pain and hastens recovery. Patients can resume their routines sooner than traditional surgical methods.”

Empowering Men In Their Health Management

Understanding urinary health and knowing that there are available treatments and that the condition is treatable can empower many men to find the proper treatment and live their lives.

“Men should not suffer in silence; instead, they should seek proper screening and treatment to return to their normal lifestyle. There’s no need to accept urinary symptoms as an inevitable part of ageing. Seeking help and understanding the available treatment options is wise and empowering,” advises Dr Christopher.

[i] https://www.besturologyclinic.com/blog/things-most-men-dont-know-about-their-prostate

[ii] https://iku.moh.gov.my/images/IKU/Document/REPORT/NHMS2019/Report_NHMS2019-NCD_v2.pdf

[iii] https://iku.moh.gov.my/images/IKU/Document/REPORT/NHMS2019/Report_NHMS2019-NCD_v2.pdf

Heineken Malaysia Reports 3Q FY 2023 Results

HEINEKEN Malaysia Remains Agile Amidst Weak Consumer Sentiment and Challenging Market Outlook

3QFY23 Results:

  • Revenue decreased by 17% to RM599.66 million (3QFY22 RM720.47 million)
  • Profit Before Tax (PBT) decreased by 27% to RM115.33 million (3QFY22: RM157.44 million)
  • Net profit decreased by 20% to RM87.33 million (3QFY22: RM108.74 million)

9MFY23 Results:

  • Revenue decreased by 7% to RM1.91 billion (9MFY22: RM2.06 billion)
  • Profit Before Tax (PBT) decreased by 14% to RM378.85 million (9MFY22: RM440.29 million)
  • Net profit decreased by 7% to RM287.73 million (9MFY22: RM308.19 million)

27 November 2023 – Heineken Malaysia Berhad (HEINEKEN Malaysia) announced its financial results for the third quarter ended 30 September 2023, reporting a decline in revenue and net profit due to weak consumer sentiment driven by rising cost of living and macroeconomic concerns.

In the third quarter, Group revenue decreased by 17% as compared to the same quarter in 2022, mainly due to lower sales arising from weak consumer sentiment driven by rising cost of living and macroeconomic concerns. The Group had a strong base in the third quarter of 2022 as the market had an upsurge in sales (Revenue +85% versus the third quarter of 2021), following the re-opening of the economy and international borders at the start of the endemic phase. The Group views this quarter’s performance as a continuation of the form of market correction as reported in the previous quarter’s report. Group profit before tax (“PBT”) decreased by 27% alongside with lower revenue, mitigated by efficiency gains through cost and value initiatives.

For the nine-month period, Group revenue was 7% lower mainly due to weaker consumer sentiment attributed to growing macroeconomic concerns and the strong rebound in 2022, buffered by higher sales in the first quarter due to Chinese New Year festive period. Group PBT declined by 14% principally due to lower revenue and relatively higher promotional and marketing expenses incurred during the period.

Commenting on the results, Roland Bala, Managing Director of HEINEKEN Malaysia, said, “2023 remains challenging as the market goes through corrections following the rebound in 2022 coupled with weaker consumer sentiment due to macroeconomic concerns. Nevertheless, our One Strong Winning Team remains agile and resilient. We continued our focus to deliver against our EverGreen strategy to future proof our organisation whilst navigating the challenges in this soft period.”

“During the quarter, our team demonstrated a consumer-first approach by investing behind our brands. HEINEKEN Malaysia initiated a series of activations to engage and connect with our partner bar staff, bartenders, and consumers. A key highlight was the 2023 Star Academy Finals, which concluded a nationwide bartender training initiative committed to raising the bar by serving customers only the best beers. This programme equipped bartenders with product knowledge and technical know-how to serve the perfect glass of Heineken® and Guinness.”

The Board of Directors does not recommend any dividend in respect of the quarter ended 30 September 2023.

On outlook, Roland shared, “In light of cautious consumer spending due to macroeconomic concerns, we anticipate the market to remain challenging. The Group will remain agile in the volatile business environment and will continue to focus on our EverGreen strategy to future-proof the business. In the absence of the one-off Prosperity Tax, we also look forward to a positive impact on the Group’s net profit this year.”

HEINEKEN Malaysia’s key EverGreen priorities include:

  • Drive superior growth – With consumer centricity, we shape and lead the premium category and continue investing behind our brands.
  • Fund the growth – Cost and value to drive efficiency to enable reinvestments into our brands and business.
  • Raise the bar on sustainability and responsibility – Full commitment to deliver on our ambition to become net zero carbon in Scope 1 & 2 by 2030 and the full value chain by 2040.
  • Become the best connected brewer – Accelerate digital and technology to create a Unified Customer Ecosystem with a customer and consumer-first approach.
  • Unlock the full potential of our people – Promote a high-performance culture that boosts our strategic capabilities, nurture the best talents, and foster an organisation where people thrive.

On sustainability, in the recently concluded UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMYB) Forward Faster Sustainability Awards 2023, HEINEKEN Malaysia was awarded for the second consecutive year in the Enterprise level, Large Company category for Water Resilience. This achievement underscores the Group’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible business practices. HEINEKEN Malaysia was also nominated as finalist in the Climate Action category, reflecting the Group’s dedication to addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change and the progress that has been made on the journey towards reaching its net zero ambitions.

In terms of challenges, Roland added, “The Group welcomes the stance taken by the Government not to increase excise duties on beer in its latest Budget 2024, as any hike in excise rates will drive greater demand for illicit alcohol.”

HEINEKEN Malaysia views illicit alcohol seriously and remains committed to supporting the authorities in addressing illicit trade through comprehensive efforts, which encompass bolstering enforcement measures and promoting greater awareness within the Malaysian market.

For more information on HEINEKEN Malaysia and the Group’s initiatives, please visit www.heinekenmalaysia.com.

The Excellent Service Award (EXSA) 2023 crowns two Superstars of Singapore’s F&B industry service champions

Senior Minister of State Ms Sim Ann with Excellent Service Award recipient Commonwealth Concepts at EXSA 2023

by the Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS)

27 November 2023, Singapore – The Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS) proudly presented the Excellent Service Award (EXSA) 2023 this afternoon, a prestigious national annual event celebrating the sterling service staff of Singapore’s vibrant F&B industry.

The event highlighted the immense talent and dedication prevalent in the sector with an impressive total of 2,456 nominations submitted for the Award this year. The highest honour of Superstar was awarded to two out of the six outstanding finalists at the ceremony, showcasing the pinnacle of service excellence in the industry.

Opening Address by Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of National Development, Deputy Government Whip at EXSA 2023

The event was graced by Guest of Honour Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of National Development, and Deputy Government Whip. Ms Sim accorded the Superstar accolade to Mr Kamble Meet Shrirang from Commonwealth Concepts Pte Ltd and Ms Dela Cruz Josephine Zuniga from McDonald’s Singapore.

From left to right: Superstar winner Kamble Meet Shrirang, Commonwealth Concepts Pte Ltd; Mr Keith Chua, Vice President, RAS; Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of
National Development, Deputy Government Whip; Superstar winner Dela Cruz Josephine Zuniga, McDonalds’s Singapore; Superstar finalist Lam Lai Chee, Dian Xiao Er Group Pte. Ltd; Superstar finalist, Leng Ah Eng, Pu Tien Restaurant Pte Ltd; Superstar finalist, Wan Chiou Peng, Polar Puffs & Cakes Pte Ltd; Superstar finalist, Shameek Ram Peiarelal, Starbucks Coffee Singapore Pte
Ltd

The other four finalists, who represented diverse backgrounds and stories of dedication and passion, were also present at the Award presentation ceremony:

1.    Mr Shameek Ram Peiarelal, Starbucks Coffee Singapore Pte Ltd

2.    Ms Wan Chiou Peng, Polar Puffs & Cakes Pte Ltd

3.    Ms Lam Lai Chee, Dian Xiao Er Group Pte Ltd

4.    Ms Leng Ah Eng, Pu Tien Restaurant Pte Ltd       

The six finalists were previously announced at a separate event recently. They were selected based on their exceptional performance in their roles, going above and beyond to craft memorable experiences for diners and customers.

From left to right: Superstar winner Kamble Meet Shrirang, Commonwealth Concepts Pte Ltd; Mr Keith Chua, Vice President, RAS; Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of
National Development, Deputy Government Whip; Superstar winner Dela Cruz Josephine Zuniga, McDonalds’s Singapore; Superstar finalist Lam Lai Chee, Dian Xiao Er Group Pte. Ltd; Superstar finalist, Leng Ah Eng, Pu Tien Restaurant Pte Ltd; Superstar finalist, Wan Chiou Peng, Polar Puffs & Cakes Pte Ltd; Superstar finalist, Shameek Ram Peiarelal, Starbucks Coffee Singapore Pte
Ltd

Launched in 1994, EXSA is a national award recognising individuals who have delivered quality service. It seeks to develop service models for staff to emulate and to create service champions. This underscores the importance of EXSA’s crucial role in talent development within the F&B industry by casting the spotlight on inspirational winners.

The Award also serves as a platform to acknowledge and celebrate the dedicated efforts of the passionate service crew, who take pride in ensuring diners have the best possible experience. This industry-wide recognition strengthens their connection with their employers and team members and sets clear standards of excellence. In turn, it fosters a positive work environment, reinforcing a culture of commitment and outstanding service.

Citations of the Six Finalists of EXSA 2023

Dela Cruz Josephine Zuniga
McDonald’s Singapore

Citation: Dela Cruz Josephine Zuniga is an assistant manager at McDonald’s Singapore. At McDonald’s, she served as a former Guest Experience Leader, establishing herself as the face of hospitality in the store. Customers recognise Josephine and her teammates have witnessed how she treasures every customer through various acts of hospitality, including celebrating customers’ birthdays or special occasions. The current manager is a mentor to future generations of leaders. She has conducted workshops for McDonald’s employees where more than 100 participants have benefitted from her knowledge and experience.

Kamble Meet Shrirang
Commonwealth Concepts Pte Ltd

Citation: With eight years of invaluable experience as a senior supervisor at Bedrock Origins in Oasia Sentosa, he’s also a dedicated professional and a devoted father of two. Meet is a passionate individual who infuses joy into every aspect of life, cherishing small moments that create lasting memories. For Meet, the true fulfilment comes from guests breaking barriers and expressing gratitude for his service, making each day a meaningful and rewarding journey.

Lam Lai Chee
Dian Xiao Er Group Pte. Ltd

Citation: As an Assistant Area Manager (AAM), Lai Chee believes in leading by example. She holds high expectations and sets high standards for herself. She believes that as a leader, she needs to have a strong sense of responsibility to lead her co-workers effectively. Lai Chee has consistently delivered top-notch services and impressed her co-workers and customers. She has a positive mindset that inspires her co-workers.

Leng Ah Eng
Pu Tien Restaurant Pte Ltd

Citation: Auntie Leng has been a part of the Pu Tien Kitchener Road outlet since 2000. Her dedication and passion for serving and providing a pleasant dining experience at Pu Tien are reflected in her graciousness and warm hospitality. Her positive energy never fails to touch the customers’ hearts.

At work, Auntie Leng makes an effort to remember Pu Tien’s regular customers’ preferences and serves every diner with utmost sincerity, building the trust and confidence of many patrons of Pu Tien. As she always says, “I am very grateful to all our customers for dining at Pu Tien. To show our appreciation, we have to ensure that every aspect of their needs is taken care of and make them comfortable and happy!”.

Besides caring for her customers, Auntie Leng forged genuine relationships among colleagues. Apart from sharing bakes from home, she would often check on their well-being and remind them to take good care of their health. To ignite the fighting spirit among the team, Pu Tien has been giving out the “Auntie Leng Badge” to encourage employees who have shown excellence in their work, setting Auntie Leng as the benchmark and role model for them to work hard and strive towards providing service excellence for every customer.

Shameek Ram Peiarelal
Starbucks Coffee Singapore Pte Ltd

Citation: Shameek is an assistant store manager at Starbucks Toa Payoh and has been
with the company for over five years.

He leads his team by managing store operations and ensuring that the partners (employees) deliver the legendary Starbucks Experience to all customers daily. Shameek’s friendly and conscientious approach towards his customers and peers leaves a positive impression. He always tries to know his customers and remembers their names and favourite beverage. There is no doubt why many of them appreciate his presence and service. Shameek is also very observant and takes the initiative to take action to meet his customers’ needs.

At the store, he took the initiative to coach and follow up with every barista in the store to elevate their customer service to the next level. He will coach new baristas on enhancing interactions, making them more personalised and genuine rather than transactional. Additionally, he shares his upselling techniques with his peers.

Due to Shameek’s efforts, he helped his store to build a more extensive customer base and expand its regular customer base. He managed to convert some difficult customers into regulars, and others brought their families along during their weekend visits so that they could experience the excellent service delivered by Shameek and his team. This is reflected in the numerous compliments they received, improving the store’s customer experience survey score.

His dedication to consistently delivering exceptional customer service resulted in Shameek achieving the Making Customer Feel Special Bravo Awards for three consecutive quarters in 2021 and a Superstar finalist at the Excellent Service Award (EXSA) in 2022!

Wan Chiou Peng
Polar Puffs & Cakes Pte Ltd

Citation: Chiou Peng, 57, is a Senior Sales Assistant at Polar Puffs & Cakes Pte Ltd. She is an exemplary figure for her colleagues by consistently providing genuine and compassionate service to customers at KK Women’s & Children’s Hospital (KKH). She finds joy in engaging with customers and ensuring they are satisfied with the service they receive. The fact that she has received more than 300 compliments this year is undeniable evidence of Chiou Peng’s unwavering dedication and commitment to delivering exceptional service to the company’s valued customers. Most of her compliments often mentioned that she is helpful, cheerful, friendly, patient, polite, and hardworking.

Backed by popular demand, Tony Roma’s ‘Come-Bing’ Back is here in Malaysia

Image credit: Minimeinsights.com

Backed by popular demand, Tony Roma’s ‘Come-Bing’ Back is here in Malaysia to satisfy your cravings for mouthwatering meat perfected the Tony Roma’s way.

Image credit: Minimeinsights.com

We had the chance to savior some of the delectable dishes under ‘Come-Bing’ Back. Diners can choose the following dishes under A La Carte suitable for 1-2 people or Sharing Platter, which is ideal for 3 people, and then finish it off with two choices of dessert including pudding and waffle.

Image credit: Minimeinsights.com

A La Carte:

  • Denver Lamb Ribs (Slab)
  • Lamb Rack with Honey Plum Glaze

Sharing Platter for 3 pax

  • Denver Lamb Platter
  • Meaty Trio Platter

Dessert

Chocolate Bread Pudding. Image credit: Minimeinsights.com
  • Chocolate Bread Pudding
  • Strawberry Belgium Waffle

Denver Lamb Ribs (Slab)

These marinated premium Denver ribs are expertly flame-grilled to perfection with Tony Roma’s signature seasonings. The crowning touch is a delightful reduction of honey plum glaze that enhances every bite and is served with your choice of two sides.

Lamb Rack with Honey Plum Glaze

The tender, marinated lamb rack flame is grilled in signature seasonings, finished with reduction of honey plum glaze and served with your choice of two sides.

Both Denver Lamb Ribs (Slab) and Lamb Rack with Honey Plum Glaze can be turned into a meal for me inclusive of one drink and 1 soup.

Meaty Trip Platter (suitable for 3 pax)

It features a succulent Lamb Rack, mouthwatering Beef Ribs or Lamb Ribs, and a half Roasted Chicken cooked to perfection, all accompanied by a Coke Tower. This option is perfect for meat lovers.

Denver Lamb Platter (suitable for 3 pax)

Denver Lamb Platter. Image credit: Minimeinsights.com

You can dive into a delectable selection of Denver Ribs, succulent Lamb Rack, a half Roasted Chicken, and enjoy it all with a Coke Tower. This is the perfect choice for meat lovers and vegetable lovers.

Hurry now to Tony Roma’s as ‘Come-Bing’ Back is only available from now until 4 January 2024.

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