The Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, in collaboration with the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Koelnmesse, announces the outstanding achievements of skilled chefs crowned at the Thailand Ultimate Chef Challenge 2023, now in its 9th edition. This event is the largest chef competition in Thailand with world-class standards, seeking top-notch chefs in both professional and junior categories.
The awards are divided into professional and junior categories. Recipients of the professional category awards are as follows: Chiang Mai Chefs Association for Best Ultimate Establishment Award, Fan Ying-Chin, Hsu Kuo Fu andTsai,shih-hsuan fromNKUHT FBM YOUNG CHEF for Best Ultimate Asian Gourmet Challenge Award, Khairul Ashikhin Bt Abdullah Suhami fromKolej Komuniti Chenderoh for Best Ultimate Asian Chef Award, and Jaturong Mayurowas from Chiang Mai Chefs Association for Best Ultimate Professional Chef Award. In addition, Seo Hyun JoonfromWorld Culinary Arts and Bakery (WCB) is bestowed Best Ultimate Junior Chef Award for the junior category.
The Thailand Ultimate Chef Challenge has been recognized worldwide as a world-class chef competition with an endorsement of the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS). This prestigious event provides chefs with an opportunity to show their culinary skills, especially Asian cooking skills and creative plant-based food in Asian style. The event takes place at THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA 2023, Asia’s largest and most comprehensive food and beverage trade show, during 23-27 May 2023, at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani.
This year, the event spans 5 days with a total of 19 dishes, including plant-based cuisine which is a new theme for this year. It attracts over 700 chefs worldwide to participate. The esteemed jury consists of over 20 judges approved by the WACS. Winners in each category are awarded honorary trophies and receive total rewards of over 170,000 baht.
Nando’s Singapore has launched its first ever plant-based PERi-PERi chicken alternative, which is packed full of PERi-PERi. It is described as the perfect way to get your meat-free Monday on in true tasty style. The plant-based PERi-PERi uses plant-based ingredients from Green Rebel Foods.
Here are the three Nando’s plant-based food items. Get yours now while stocks last.
Plant-based Classic Wrap with one Reg Side – SGD 15.90
Plant-based Classic Burger with one Reg Side – SGD 14.90
Plant-based Classic Pita with one Reg Side – SGD 14.90
OldTown White Coffee Malaysia is going eggless. The restaurant chain has collaborated with OnlyEg to launch healthier protein-rich option with no cholesterol. The Oldtown x OnlyEg collaboration comprises BBQ Egg Noodle Soup, Hainanese Chick’n Chop Rice and Ginger Chick’n Steamed Rice. Try now at the OldTown White Coffee outlets near you.
Durex is schooling youth on the ins and outs of intimacy and staying safe to address the rise in sexual activity
Kuala Lumpur, 18 May 2023 – With the rise in sexual activity amongst youths in Malaysia, Durex, the world’s #1 sexual well-being brand, is taking bold steps in providing a safe platform where young Malaysians can learn and find the right information and facts about sexual health at the first ever Durex Academy.
Based on the survey conducted in 2022, the average age of Gen Z’s first intercourse experience is between 15 and 22 years old. 1 in 3 believe that sex shown in pornography is normal sex and alarmingly, 31% did not know that a woman could get pregnant the first time she engages in sex. Almost 40% believe the myth that STIs are only transmitted through penetrative sex and more than 1 out of 5 youth have sexted* before (*sent a provocative text or lewd photo). These findings initiated the Durex #COMETOGETHER campaign which focused on helping young Malaysians speak out and learn about sex through an enjoyable, safe and reliable platform and drive conversations around the subject matter without fear or stigma.
The Durex Academy, which is an extension of the #COMETOGETHER initiative, now takes
that same objective to the next level. Aimed at cultivating safe and healthy intimate practices, encouraging more open conversations around sex and destigmatising myths and taboos surrounding sexuality education, Durex Academy is a continuous effort to address the survey findings by breaking it down into learning modules covering three main syllabuses.
Kicking-off with Ms. Puiyi earlier in the month, the campaign will feature an online semester covering three main syllabus which are Let’s Warm Up, #ComeTogether Prepared and Sexy Facts 101. Each syllabus has been designed to address misconceptions and educate young Malaysians on accurate and enlightening information about sex, health and pleasurable safety.
Durex Academy lecturers Daphne Iking, Alex Chee and Alvy Joanna
The segments will cover topics such as consent and bodily autonomy; sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention; and communication and relationship skills. Making it even more interactive are the Masterclass video sessions conducted by Durex Academy lecturers Daphne Iking, Alex Chee and Alvy Joanna.
As an added bonus, students of Durex Academy will also receive a personalised e-certificate and a mystery gift once they have completed the S-Level exams online, and be empowered with better knowledge, understanding, and the confidence to make informed decisions about their bodies, relationships, and overall well-being.
“We recognise that there is a genuine need to equip Malaysian youth with the right information about sex. Sex education is the compass that empowers individuals to navigate the complex terrain of relationships, intimacy, and personal well-being. It illuminates the path towards informed choices, consent, and responsible decision-making, fostering a society where knowledge conquers ignorance and respect triumphs over fear,” commented Jerome Goh (Marketing Manager, Durex Malaysia).
The Durex Academy will also be running on-ground workshops in colleges and universities in the Klang Valley in collaboration with SPOT Malaysia, a comprehensive sexuality education provider whose vision is to help young people become confident and resilient in making informed decisions for their well-being.
To launch the initiative, Durex Academy hosted an Open Day which featured interactive
educational exhibits, introductions of the ‘online lecturers’ and a panel discussion with certified sexologist, Andrea Koh and SPOT Malaysia founder, Siti Aishah. The constructive dialogue touched on real-life issues that youths struggle with, barriers that are preventing progress around this topic and the evolving sexual trends of today.
“Sex education is a powerful tool. It dismantles ignorance, dispels myths, and fosters a culture of consent, respect, and healthy sexual expression. By embracing comprehensive sex education, we pave the way for a future where individuals are equipped to navigate their own sexual journey with wisdom, compassion, and the freedom to embrace their authentic selves,” added Goh.
Durex has been committed in supporting more knowledgeable reproductive healthcare and raising awareness of protection worldwide through the establishment of effective sexual health initiatives. The Durex Academy is part of that commitment and aims to increase young people’s knowledge and improve their attitudes related to sexual and reproductive health and behaviours.
L-R Nasen Thiagarajan, Low Yen Ling, Andrew Kwan, Vincent Phang
Singapore, 25 May 2023 Major players and key business figures representing the F&B industry from Singapore and internationally, convened this morning at the official opening of Restaurant Asia 2023 (RA 2023) and International Coffee & Tea Asia 2023 (ICTA 2023)which incorporates the 10th edition of Café Asia and the 9th edition of Sweets & Bakes Asia 2023. The three-day co-located shows, held at the Marina Bay Sands Singapore Expo and Convention Centre, are organised for companies in the F&B eco-system who are looking to venture into new business opportunities and new markets especially in the areas of food ingredients, supply chain, operations, tech, manpower, and innovation.
Opening Ceremony – Low Yen Ling, MOS, MTI & MCCY
At the event, Guest-of-Honour Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, launched the Jobs Transformation Map (JTM) for the Food Services sector. Also present at the launch were the Food Services trade associations and chambers (TACs) – Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS), the co-organiser of Restaurant Asia, Association of Catering Professionals Singapore (ACAPS), and Singapore Nightlife Business Association (SNBA).
Opening Ceremony – Andrew Kwan, President, RAS
A key highlight of the morning’s proceedings was the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the formation of the ASEAN Restaurant Associations Alliance to further bolster relationships and opportunities in ASEAN. This Alliance unites the restaurant associations in ASEAN, presenting an important marketplace for the industry, serving as a gateway to new markets and supply chains in the region through the RA and ICTA platforms, the only platforms that have been able to gather the industry across borders in the fast-growing ASEAN region. Through this Alliance, the parties hope to create reciprocal benefits across the ASEAN F&B sectors.
L-R Arnaud Darc, Susanty Widjaya, Edward Liu, Simon Wong, Low Yen Ling, Eric W.Teng, Vincent Tan, Eugene Yap, Andrew Kwan, Chu Hong Minh
According to the recent Economic Survey of Singapore (13 February 2023)1, retail and F&B spending has rebounded strongly, post-pandemic.The prospects for Singapore’s retail and F&B sectors also remain positive given the continued recovery of tourism demand.
In light of the above, the F&B industry endeavours to continuously seek business opportunities in Singapore and embark on internationalisation – focusing on areas such as food ingredients, supply chain, automation, operations, human capital and sustainability. RA 2023 and ICTA 2023 are specially designed to respond to the challenges faced by the F&B industry in Singapore and around the region. The marketplace has been quick to respond to these challenges with solutions that contribute to optimisation of human resource, internationalisation, automation & digitalisation and sustainability.
Together, RA 2023 and ICTA 2023, has grown more than two folds compared to the 2022 edition. It will host more than 240 international and local exhibitors from 26 countries covering a gross exhibition area of 7,000 sqm. The three-day show is expected to welcome 10,500 international and local trade and public visitors, business leaders from the F&B, tea, and coffee industries, as well as symposium delegates.Apart from exhibitors showcasing equipment, cocoa, specialty coffee beans, exotic teas, bakery suppliers, ingredients and packaging, trade visitors will find pavilions and zones dedicated to halal, green products and services, and liquor. The show also focuses on plant-based food and sustainable products. New to the show is the co-located JIU Asia 2023 Pavilion.
This year, the 4th edition of Restaurant Asia (RA 2023), the international restaurant, kitchen & culinary equipment & supplies exhibition, is presented by co-organisers,the Restaurant Association of Singapore, and Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) Asia and Singapore-based Conference Exhibition Management Services (CEMS).
Co-located with RA 2023 is International Coffee & Tea Asia 2023 (ICTA 2023) which incorporates the 10th edition of Café Asia and the 9th edition of Sweets & Bakes Asia 2023. Moving forward,the three coffee, tea and bakery events will come under the umbrella of newly-minted, SIGEP Asia, tapping on the rich expertise of the flagship event, SIGEP in Rimini, Italy. This move will offer new markets beyond the region and provide opportunities for engagement with a wider audience, under the auspices of SIGEP which has been the point of reference for innovations in the dessert-and-coffee food service sector. SIGEP also provides a complete overview of all new market developments – raw materials and ingredients, machinery and equipment, as well as furnishings, packaging and services.
Knowledge Hub
RA 2023 and ICTA 2023 are also organised to host the hub of learning and technical know-how to all visitors and conference delegates that includes invaluable insights on productivity, capability development and leveraging on relevant technologies to future-proof the F&B business, fronted by prominent business leaders in the F&B, coffee, and tea industries.
At the show, the RAS Leadership Symposium 2023 is presented as the leading foodservice event for top executives, tabling the latest and important topics from some of the most inspiring minds in Singapore’s F&B sector. Delegates at the Symposium gather to discover the latest
industry trends, network with like-minded business owners and explore new business opportunities. The Symposium, fronted by panel members from leading local F&B brands, discussed the topics of Transformation and Sustainability.
Inaugural JIU Asia 2023
Held in conjunction with RA 2023, visitors are invited to immerse in the inaugural JIU Asia 2023, a 100 sqm pavilion featuring the rarest whiskies, baijius, and spirits from a host of independent and local brands with white-label selections and rare casks, and attend curated masterclasses. https://jiuasia.com/
Superior plant-based milk made for barista, crafted for coffee
SINGAPORE, 26 May 2023 – The official launch of Ömilk, held in conjunction with Restaurant Asia 2023and International Coffee & Tea Asia 2023this afternoon, marked a new chapter for the plant-based industry. Ömilk Oat Barista, is specially crafted with baristas in mind and, for the discerning palates of coffee enthusiasts, oat milk connoisseurs, and those who enjoy a classic cup of plant-based goodness. Ömilk is the perfect blend for pure enjoyment, with just the right amount of creaminess to produce a silky and dense microfoam, the ideal canvas for latte art and stencil work.
This plant-based alternative is characterised by its richness and creaminess making it ideal for coffees and lattes. The richer “barista” oat milk, formulated for steaming and also to make latte,provides richness to coffee and is a great dairy alternative. It froths up nicely, just like cow’s milk.
Ömilk collaborated with four-time Singapore National Latte Art Champion, Jervis Tan to present the plant-based oat milk to the industry and end consumers at Café Asia 2023. Jervis demonstrated that every brew had the potential to be a work of art, especially so with Ömilk.
With a perfectly smooth and rich texture that froths just like regular milk, Ömilk is the preferred choice of plant-based milk by baristas and coffee connoisseurs.
In recent years, plant-based alternatives have become an important offering on the drinks’ menu of cafes and restaurants. This has been in response to the growing demand for plant-based alternatives by consumers in pursuit of a healthier lifestyle and also by the rising number of people who are lactose intolerant.
With no added sugar, colourings or flavourings, the natural fragrance of Ömilk enhances the taste profile of coffee and tea or drunk on its own. On top of its marvellous taste, Ömilk is naturally cholesterol-free, and is halal-certified. The brand-new plant-based oat milk can be found exclusively in selected FairPrice outlets and RedMart at the Recommended Selling Price of S$6.25 per 1-litre pack.
This June, expect exciting activities and plenty of limited edition Burger King merchandise up for grabs as you reconnect with the tasty Chicken Fries in both real life and in augmented reality
Singapore, 26 May 2023 – After five clucking years, Burger King’s Chicken Fries have finally returned! Combining the savoury taste of chicken we all know and love with the dippable shape of a traditional french fry, the mouth-watering, beloved snacker will be returning with its iconic packaging to all Burger King outlets islandwide from 30 May onwards, and are also available exclusively on Grab. Be sure to get your hands on them while stocks last!
To celebrate the long-awaited return of the Chicken Fries, Burger King has planned a range of exciting promotions and activations for the month of June. Get ready to meet Chicken Fries both in real life and in augmented reality, and stand a chance to win a treasure trove of limited edition Burger King merchandise!
Let the feast begin!
Get Up Close With the Chicken Fries IRL
This June holiday, Burger King wants you to experience the Chicken Fries in a whole new way! From a roaming caravan packed with exclusive Burger King merch, adorable plushies and other limited-edition goodies, to a larger-than-life Chicken Fries photobooth, this June is set to be a tantalising feast for both your taste buds and your IG feed.
Caravan at SAFRA Choa Chu Kang and Plaza Singapura
Mark your calendars for an unforgettable chicken adventure! From 10 to 11 June, the
Chicken Fries Adventure Caravan will set up camp at SAFRA Choa Chu Kang, followed by
Plaza Singapura from 12 to 18 June. Don’t miss out on this golden opportunity to indulge in delectable Chicken Fries samples and spin the gachapon to win exclusive limited-edition
Burger King merchandise, including the highly sought-after Chicken Fries plushies and
cooler bags. Run, don’t walk to get them all!
Chicken Fries Photobooth
Strike a pose and capture the perfect moment with our one-of-a-kind Chicken Fries
photobooth! This June holiday, be sure to visit our Chicken Fries photobooth at four locations for an exciting experience. With every Chicken Fries purchase, you’ll have the opportunity to snap unforgettable photos and create memories that will last a lifetime. Join us at East Coast Park on 3 and 4 June, SAFRA Choa Chu Kang on 10 and 11 June, Bedok @ Heartbeat on 17 and 18 June, and Jurong Point on 24 and 25 June. Get ready to say “cheese” and cluck it up!
The Chicken Fries Take Over the Internet
Burger King’s cheeky Chicken Fries isn’t just available in real life — he’s hopping onto the
internet as well!
Prepare to dive into a world of virtual chicken fries with our sizzling IG filter game! For a limited time starting from 30 May, try out the new Chicken Fries AR Filter on Instagram and show us your moves. This immersive augmented reality game sees participants catching as many chicken fries as possible to avoid the dynamites and earn the highest score! Challenge your friends and see who has the most clucking good moves. Starting 30
May, visit this link to give the Chicken Fries AR Filter a try for yourself.
Show off your skills on IG Stories by tagging @burgerkingsg, hashtag #ChickenFries and
#AyamBack, and submit a screenshot of your high scores to @burgerkingsg’s DMs for a hance to win amazing Chicken Fries merchandise like the Chicken Fries plush toys and
many more!
Share the #BKCluckingGoodChallenge with your friends and don’t let this clucking good
opportunity slip through your fingers – show off your moves and grasp the chance to win big! Visit Burger King’s social media pages for full details and the latest updates.
JKN Global Group Public Company Limited, which has various businesses including beverages, has showcased its latest functional beverages at THAIFEX Anuga Asia 2023. Known as MU, the entire range is designed to help consumers hydrate smarter.
The MU series comprise four functional beverages Immune, Focus, Happy and Zen. All of them are free from sugar and caffeine. Each bottle (250ml) only has 45kcal.
Immune contains vitamin C and astragalus, Focus with BCAA, Happy with magnesium and vitamin B and Zen with L-theanine and GABA.
The key ingredients in Zen are water, vitamin C, astragalus, sucralose, ace-K, citric acid, sodium citrate, pectin, cellulose gum, pectin, beta carotene, green tea and yuzu.
JKN Global Group’s JKN Drink current sells herb Max, Fit Max, Tiger X and Dragon X. The MU series has females in mind helping them and empowering them to do better.
Superb Wolf has showcased its Wolffia Freeze Dried Mixed Fruits and Yogurt Flavours at the recent THAIFEX Anuga Asia 2023. This 15g snack offers protein, fibre and vitamin. We are seeing growing application of wolffia in food and drinks in Thailand. Wolffia is the smallest known flowering monocot and is rich in clean protein, making it an interesting protein source that is also highly sustainable.
The Alor brand of Malaysia’s Tastiway Sdn. Bhd. has launched freeze dried soup in Malaysia. The company, known for its freeze dried fruits, is leveraging on its freeze dried technology to bring more convenient food products to consumers including its latest soup products.
The latest ALOR Easy Fingers Instant Soup is available in Western-style soup comprising tomato soup, pumpkin soup and mushroom soup.
ALOR Easy Fingers Instant Soup was displayed at the recent THAIFEX Anuga Asia 2023.
Purchase the new ALOR Easy Fingers Instant Soup now on the company’s official store on Shopee Malaysia.
Indonesia's Macro Group (Cimory) has unveiled a brand new look for its Cimory fresh milk in November 2017. The range contains five variants comprising...
