Inspired by Fernando Gros “How to choose a Yearly Theme”, this is my 3rd year writing a Yearly Theme (you can check out my 2020 Yearly Theme and 2021 Yearly Theme), an approach that I personally feel that it’s more forward looking for a new future, a new era of working, thinking and how we connect as an individual, as a collective, society and the world. It’s not that goal settings or setting resolutions are no longer popular or useful, they still have a purpose and it still works for some people or industries. I also published a Yearly Theme 2022 (Technology, Business and Personal) on my other website TGH Technology and Business Portal/Blog. 

Let me introduce my Yearly Theme 2022 for my photography and travel: “Onward”.

Theme for Year 2022 (Photography and Travel) – Onward

Onward – What is the reason behind this theme?

Why “Onward”? This is actually my alma mater school motto. Let me introduce my alma mater, Gan Eng Seng School (founded in 1885), I am also an old boy from the Gan Eng Seng Dragon Scout Group (founded in 1922) where I spent some of my best and fun years learning Scouting skills, knowledge, in the the great outdoors, life skills and camaraderie. 

Dragon Scout Group (DSG) is celebrating its centenary milestone in Year 2022, this is no mean feat! The DSG extended family is going to celebrate DSG100 Years in Scouting! 

Onward – Strive forward as we work our way out from this ongoing global pandemic mess, it’s not just an economic and financial crisis, the world is facing other crisis in the areas of healthcare, mental health, emotional health, psychological and sociological issues.

The whole world is trying its best to move forward, with setbacks and hiccups that are going to be a common sight for this year 2022. Hopefully, our lessons learnt in Year 2020 and 2021 would come in handy for us as the world move Onward in the journey to recovery. Let’s hope the world can really start to see the true light at the end of the tunnel. 

Photography – Goals and Plans

This is not the usual way of doing goal settings that you would normally learn or see in your job/training. What I am doing is a bit of a hybrid format sharing of my goals and plans for my photography segment. 

Photography (Business)

Year 2021 provided me huge business lessons, adapting, pivoting and changing my commercial photography services portfolio. It’s not immediate, taking a bit longer than I am expected. In this Year 2022, I hope to grow those few segments below in a very competitive field, through my networks and connections. 

– Portraiture: Individual / Family / Corporate 

– Pre-Wedding/AD wedding 

NFT/Digital Arts

A new segment that I am entering into, I mentioned about this in Q4 2021. This is a field that I would be threading with caution while optimistic on its potential and viability for creatives such as photographers like myself. 

Digital Marketing + Social Media Marketing + Photography + Videography 

A digital agency or social media agency format of doing business, going to work/pitch for campaigns/projects and commissioned work. Although I established TGH Digital Studio in 2021, I wasn’t able to kickstart it properly, the time is now.

Year 2022 also marks the start of TGH Digital Studio with a new gig in the food industry. Hope this paves the way for further opportunities in other industries such as travel, tourism and hospitality,  as well as heritage, history and culture.

Photography (Personal/Leisure)

Away from my business/commercial photography, I must, and I need my time and space for my personal photography and leisure/fun photography. In Year 2022, I have some ideas and plans for my personal photography, videography and creative projects.

New photographer profile photos as well as new photographer in action theme shoots are on my plans too. 

If you are not a good photographer or find something missing in your photos you can always rely on some travel photograph editing to enhance your photos.

Personal projects 

– Complement and support my alma mater DSG100 Years in Scouting celebrations

– A new zine or a new photography book? Or both? 

– Building up my videography/filmmaking for both personal and commercial segments. Follow my YouTube channel for more updates on this segment!  

Travel – Goals and Plans

We all miss our travels, whether it’s to short-haul or long haul destinations. This ongoing global pandemic has thrown the world travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation industries under the bus for a very prolonged time, and maybe 1-2 more years of downtime. 

International 

I have no plans for now, I would review this in Q3 2022, keeping my fingers crossed. I am just being cautious, I am also not setting any expectations, I don’t wish to be badly disappointed  and get hurt again. 

When can we restart tourism, I am looking into this area, networking and chatting with travel and tourism networks of friends around the world, with a follow up on this area in my 3rd instalment article on the topic of “Restart Tourism”. 

This quote, shared with me by Sonja, one of the co-hosts of TTOT (Travel Talk on Twitter) Chat community every Tuesday, that “Travel can be a privilege”. During this ongoing global pandemic situation, it’s even more evident and true. 

Domestic / Local / Explore your own backyard 

Since traveling out for a holiday still has its challenges, fears, concerns and restrictions. This is actually a good time to explore your own backyard again for me. I am going to continue re-exploring my local neighbourhoods, with an emphasis on green spaces / places that might/will be gone soon.

I always have a strong interest and passion in those fields, documenting the changes and losses over time due to changes in national development, growth and renewal.  

Last but not least – Onward in Year 2022

Last but not least – Onward in Year 2022. After some harsh lessons from Year 2021, I decided to be cautious, not fearful, be brave, Be Prepared, ready to take on more challenges, hiccups and changes as I trek my way Onward in Year 2022. 

I really hope this Year 2022 would truly be the year where we can see some light at the end of the tunnel. 

The post Yearly Theme 2022 (Photography and Travel) appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Thanks to foodie influencer Keropokman for inviting me to join #jalanhuat to Clementi, part of jalanjalan.me ground up initiative and movement supporting local businesses, curated by residents. Being a Clementi/West Coast resident, I thought I would know most of the places in my neighbourhood. Never did I realise that I have been missing out on some hidden gems in my own local neighbourhood! 

Now let me bring you on my #jalanhuat foodie adventure to Clementi, for a #jalaneat, #jalanshop, #jalansee and #jalando fun time!

The Cheese House Singapore

First and foremost, I am not the biggest cheese lover. It took me a bit longer than most other people to appreciate cheese, thanks to my friend Chef Keith for his cheese platter selections whenever we dine at his home. When I visited The Cheese House, I was blown away by their selection of farmhouse and artisan cheese on offer. 

During my visit to The Cheese House Singapore, I learnt a lot more about cheese, their production and selection of farmhouse and artisan cheese in their shop. I also learnt how to create my own cheese platter using the world’s best cheese from traditional farms, along with artisanal pairings to make a cheese platter.

If you are a cheese lover in Singapore, you definitely have to check out The Cheese House Singapore for their farmhouse and artisan cheese selections.

Address: Newest Mall #01-68, 1 West Coast Drive 

Website: https://www.thecheesehouse.sg/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecheesehousesingapore/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecheesehouse_sg/ 

Igokochi Dining Bar

Are you a Japanese food lover? If yes, do you love an omakase meal? For the folks staying in the Western part of Singapore, you can enjoy an omakase meal in the neighbourhood of West Coast/Clementi! Introducing Igokochi Dining Bar, they offers a range of authentic Japanese dining experiences, including delicious omakase meals tailor-made to your tastes using seasonal ingredients. They offer the highest quality ingredients at affordable prices. 

Not just omakase, Igokochi Dining Bar has sushi on their menu too. Oh yes, they also have an Izakaya menu too and a nice cosy bar with Japanese whisky (Nikka – my favourite), Sake etc. I am missing Japanese cuisine since I can’t travel to Japan during this period and Igokochi Dining Bar is likely to be my hangout for Japanese cuisine and drinking place. Oh yes, it’s near my home too!  

Address: Newest Mall #01-98/99, 1 West Coast Drive

Website: https://www.igokochi.com.sg/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/igokochisg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/igokochisg/ 

簡單。| Simple café

For cafe lovers who love Taiwanese design, industrial space setting with a minimalist style, you will love 簡單。| Simple café at Newest Mall. Personally, I am a big fan of such cafes, it’s really nice to discover them in Singapore, best of all, they are located in my Clementi neighbourhood, within walking distance to my home.

They have a nice selection of signature sweet treats such as their Vanilla & Lemon filled donuts, Berry, Satsuma, Bagel (Cream Cheese) and Mont Blanc. If you are a pastries and cakes lover, you have to visit them and check them out! Do check out their iced uji matcha and hot Osmanthus oolong from Alishan as well! 

Address: Newest Mall #01-87, 1 West Coast Drive 

Website: https://shop.pickupp.io/shops/467 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simple.cafesg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simple.cafesg/ 

Gelato Labo / Glass Roasters 

Would you like to have delicious gelato and signature brew coffee together? At Gelato Labo and Glass Roasters at 108 Faber Drive, now you can! Rejoice for those living in the western part of Singapore! You will be spoilt for choices with the new and inventive gelato flavours on offer at Gelato Labo, the rustic design and setting at Glass Roasters gives you a vibe that is not commonly seen in Singapore.  

I just recently began to learn and discover more about gelato and pair it with my love for coffee, I reckon this would be a lovely chic space for me to relax and enjoy with gelato and coffee. 

Address: 108 Faber Drive 

Website: https://www.gelatolabo.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gelatolabo | https://www.facebook.com/glassroasters 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gelatolabo/ | https://www.instagram.com/glassroasters/ 

So much more to #jalanhuat, #jalaneat, #jalanshop, #jalansee and #jalando in the heartlands!

I would like to thank foodie influencer Keropokman for the invitation to join him on the #jalanhuat to Clementi, exploring and discovering my local neighbourhood food gems that I might have missed out even though I am staying in the Clementi neighbourhood. Thanks to this #jalanhuat adventure, I got to learn more about jalanjalan.me ground up initiative and movement supporting local businesses, curated by residents.  

As a local explorer, photographer myself who had done a fair bit of walking, eating and exploring different neighbourhoods in Singapore, I realised that I have a lot more hidden gems to discover in Singapore! 

Since we still can’t travel out of Singapore due to the ongoing global pandemic situation, let’s take this time to learn, understand and know more about our home ground, Singapore. Not only can we take this opportunity to be a local tourist, enjoy and have fun, we are also supporting our local businesses too!  

Good things must share! Since there are many more hidden food gems in other neighbourhoods in Singapore that you can go out, explore and discover as you embark on your own SingapoRediscovers #jalanhuat adventure to #jalaneat,  #jalanshop, #jalansee and #jalando, not just in Clementi, in other neighbourhoods in Singapore such as Bedok, Ang Mo Kio, Chong Pang, Jalan Besar etc etc?  

Remember to Pay-It-Forward and Pass-It-On! Sharing is Caring! Who doesn’t want to know where are the nice and delicious food places to visit in Singapore? 

For more information on Jalan Jalan Me ground up initiative and movement, please visit 

Website: jalanjalan.me 

IG: @jalanjalanme 

FB: @jalanjalanmesg 

The post #JalanHuat to Clementi appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

For chocolate lovers, you have to check out Whyzee chocolate cakes selection, you will be intrigued by their wide selection of different types of chocolate cakes available for your selection. As a chocolate lover myself, it was quite a hard decision choosing the chocolate cake that I like because I kind of wish I can taste all of the chocolate cakes available on their website! The chocolate cake that I finally chosen was the Triple Chocolate Fudge Drip Cake.

If you are a chocolate lover, I reckon you will fall in love with this Triple Chocolate Fudge Drip Cake! If you are not a chocolate lover, this cake might have too much chocolate for you. When I sliced the Triple Chocolate Fudge Drip Cake, I began to check out the amount of chocolate on the outside and inside! There are 3 layers of moist chocolate cake layered between rich premium dark chocolate fudge, can you also spot the crunchy cocoa and Ferrero Rochers toppings? A sweet chocolate heaven with every bite of the Whyzee Triple Chocolate Fudge Drip Cake!

When you decide to order a Whyzee cake for your loved ones, family, relatives or friends, check out their other services that can transform your cake gift delivery into a nice and lovely cake package. They also have their Whyzee flower delivery Singapore, providing different product bundles for you to choose from, such as cake and flower bundle, cake and flower dome bundle, cake and balloon bundle, cake & flower & balloon mega bundle and Christmas bundles. 

If you like to know more about Whyzee and their wide selection of artisanal cakes, visit them below:

Website: https://whyzee.com.sg/ 

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/whyzee.sg/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whyzee.sg/ 

* I would like to thank Whyzee for the opportunity to taste their delicious artisanal cake *

The post Whyzee Cake Delivery Singapore appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Sourdough Toast

First and foremost on their menu, they are the “Basics”, the bread, sourdough toast and pancakes. I heard about sourdough bread previously, I haven’t tried it before as my usual choice of bread would be white or wholemeal bread. 

As I had my first taste of sourdough toast, I was also enlightened on the health benefits of eating sourdough too. It’s baked fresh daily, the aroma, fragrance and fresh hot from the oven, you would probably become a sourdough bread convert like me too.

“Heart Attack” French Toast! With Berries

This is not your traditional French Toast, it looks very different. When I tasted this unique “Heart Attack” French Toast, I was very impressed and I absolutely loved this! Crispy and crunchy on the outside, not too oily, soft and tender on the inside. 

A sourdough brioche soaked with eggs and cream batter, fried and finished with cinnamon sugar on the plate and maple flavoured syrup on top of it, along with side of plain yoghurt. 

When you visit The Fabulous Baker Boy, you have to try this, I reckon you would like this “Heart Attack” French Toast as much as I did!

FAB Duck Confit 

Their Duck Confit is not just another Duck Confit, it’s a FAB Duck Confit. This is a slow-cooked whole leg of a duck, observe the skin, it’s crispy and deliciously torched without overdoing it! The duck leg meat is soft and tender, cooked to perfection! 

The FAB Duck Confit is served on mash, with apricot and cranberry chutney. I would make sure that my duck leg meat is mixed with the mash and apricot and cranberry chutney before it goes into my mouth and tummy. This was so delicious that I didn’t leave a drop behind.

Cakes Galore at The Fabulous Baker Boy! 

For cake lovers, you would definitely be spoiled for choices when you are dining at The Fabulous Baker Boy, i have a feeling you might have a huge dilemma on which cakes should you choose to enjoy!

Remember to get a cuppa of coffee with your choice of cake! Now, it’s time to enjoy your desserts after a hearty, fabulous and delicious main course meal!

More than just Fabulous Food at The Fabulous Baker Boy

The Fabulous Baker Boy serves more than just delicious, fabulous food and drinks. They are a cosy and spacious cafe, family-oriented and friendly that the whole family would be able to enjoy, relax and have a good family bonding time over delicious food.

It was also an honour to meet Chef Juwanda in person, we had a very good chat and I learnt more about his journeys in his cooking and baking. He has a very high level of enthusiasm, passion and love for food, cooking and baking. All those can be felt through the heart, mind, soul and of course inside the cuisine that he serves at The Fabulous Baker Boy. 

We also had a deeper conversation on the topics such as different cuisines and the food industry. I have met a few very passionate food business owners who takes huge pride and love for their food, Chef Juwanda is one of them. A follow up foodie chat/sharing article with Chef Junwada is on the cards for me! 

Back to the topic of fabulous food at The Fabulous Baker Boy, there are still many more choices on their menu for me to visit again and try the other delicious food on offer. I would love to “conquer” all of Chef Juwanda’s extensive list of cakes on his menu and his cakes do deserve celebrity status not just for some of its unique creations and names.  

For more information on The Fabulous Baker Boy, you can check them out below:

Website: https://www.thefabulousbakerboy.com/ 

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Thefabbakerboy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefabulousbakerboy/ 

I would like to thank The Fabulous Baker Boy and Empower Marketing Asia for the invitation and warmest hospitality in hosting this food visit session.

The post Fabulous Food at The Fabulous Baker Boy appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

The story behind Sebati

A husband and wife team with a vision to spread goodness and empowerment through their delicious cooking/baking, bringing love, joy and celebrations to your home through their fresh and wholesome Shepherd’s Pies and other sweet delights. When you get to taste their bakes and cooking, you can feel their love and passion inside the pies and bakes that they serve.

Sebati Shepherd’s Pie

What do they have? Customers can choose from these four options below:

1) Classic (Fillings: choice of beef or chicken)

2) Black Pepper (Fillings: choice of beef or chicken)

3) All Vege

4) Monthly Special

There are two sizes to choose from, personal and party. For personal size, it’s a 7 x 3 inch aluminium tray, serves 1-2 people, while the party size, it’s a 7 x 7 inch aluminium tray, serves 4-5 people.

What did we order?

After looking through the choices, I decided to go for the All Vege and July Special: Satay Shepherd’s Pie with chicken filling. While I am more familiar with the old school square shaped Shepherd’s Pie, the world of Shepherd’s Pie can come in various shapes and sizes, from round, to square or rectangular in shape.

Sebati Shepherd’s Pie, their crust/topping of mashed potato are really very nicely baked. The softness of the mashed potato is just nice without being too mushy or too dry. The All Vege has broccoli, cheddar and mozzarella cheese and aromatic mirepoix. You can feel and taste the fresh vegetables baked inside this All Vege Shepherd’s Pie, filling and delicious.

As for their July Special Satay Shepherd’s Pie, this combination is very interesting and intriguing, a fusion of local Southeast Asian and Western food, a combination that is not that easy to merge  two different cuisines together. Our satay cuisine in Southeast Asia can have a strong body flavour taste on the meats and not to mention the satay gravy. Sebati July Special Satay Shepherd’s Pie manages to blend them with a good amount of satay flavour taste without overpowering the Shepherd’s Pie.

More than Shepherd’s Pie, they have sweet stuff

Do check out their other selections on their website, they have sweet delights such as double chocolate pie bar, chocoflakes and snowflakes, they look very delicious and it’s tempting me very badly.

Support local food business!

Running my own sole proprietorship photography business, I know how challenging and tough it can be running a small business. I have been supporting food businesses operated by my friends and I try my best to help them in whatever way possible, from tasting, review, social media sharing, food photography projects etc.

Do visit Sebati website and instagram below, check out their menu and order away!

Sebati

Website: https://www.sebati.sg/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sebati.sg/

I would like to thank SEBATI for this food tasting opportunity and thanks to fellow techie/photographer/Liverpool FC supporter friend Hisham for introducing me to Sebati.

The post Sebati Shepherd’s Pie appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Story behind their award-winning crabs from 8 Crabs

8 Crabs is a crab delivery and seafood delivery service in Singapore, starting off from importing premium seafood specialising in wild catch crabs, sea cucumber, prawns, grouper and tilapia from Sri Lanka.

For all the crab lovers out there, how much do you know about crabs?

Crabs naturally travel about 500m every night, preferring to live alone. However, crab farmers tend to breed crabs in confined space to make their business profitable. Therefore, crabs get stressed very easily in close captivity and they produce ammonia, a sign of decomposition of seafood.  While farmed crabs are cheaper and they are purchased by most restaurants, their ammonia smell  are present, covered by highly fragrant gravies.

What makes 8 Crabs different, unique and special?

They are the only company in Singapore using grade AAA premium Sri Lankan sourced wild crabs, graded by the most experienced crab graders in the trade. Their crabs are meatier, bigger and less watery. In order to ensure freshness, their crabs are caught, flown, prepared and delivered to customers within 12 hours.

The fresh crabs are prepared and cooked by award-winning chefs, this guarantee the best flavour and taste in their award-winning crab dishes. They operate on a one driver to an order policy across their 12 kitchens island-wide, this would allow them to uphold their promise of One Hour Crab Delivery.

What did we order? Our online ordering experience from 8 Crabs website

After checking with my mum what are the dishes she would like to have, we chose chilli crab, salted egg crab, fried man tou and signature coffee pork ribs from the menu.

I proceed to place my orders from 8 Crabs website, it was easy to navigate and use, placing order was easy and a breeze. There are three sizes of (Live) Sri Lanka crabs to choose from, large (approximate 750g), extra large (approximately 900g to 1kg) and XX large (approximately 1.2kg). The prices of the Live Sri Lanka Crabs are reasonable in my personal humble opinion.

After selecting and confirming the crab size options, we made our payment online, the process was smooth and secure, with an order confirmation email sent to my mailbox. You can choose your delivery time slot and spend a minimum of S$120 to enjoy free delivery regardless of delivery type.

Enjoying award winning 8 Crabs chilli crab dishes

The courier delivery was on time, delivered within our chosen time slot. When the dishes arrived, it was still warm and that was pretty good, taking into consideration the timeline that they have to prepare, cook, pack and deliver our orders in 1 hour. I quickly prepared the table for food photography action, with my enthusiastic Mum becoming my assistant for that evening. My family had a great time enjoying the chilli crabs especially my Mum who is a crab lover.

Even though I am not a crazy crab lover like my Mum, I am particular on the freshness and quality of seafood. The Sri Lankan crabs from 8 Crabs live up to their reputation on delivering fresh quality grade AAA premium Sri Lankan sourced wild crabs.

The Sri Lankan crabs were fresh, sweet and delicious, with lovely tender meaty portions from both crabs for my whole family to enjoy. For the chilli crab gravy, it tasted really delicious and on par with our previous chilli crab experiences at restaurants.

As for the salted egg gravy, it had more salted egg gravy than we expected since we were expecting less gravy from this style of cooking for salted egg crab. The fried man tou is a must to order, dipping it into the chilli crab gravy or salted egg gravy.

I ordered another side dish, signature coffee pork ribs from their website. This dish tasted really delicious, you can feel, taste and savour the coffee taste in the pork!

8 Crabs has more than just their award winning popular and delicious crab dishes, chilli crab, black pepper crab and salted egg crab. Their other dishes on offer from other seafood, meat and poultry, vegetables and others, gives customers a nice selection of zhi char dishes that can be delivered to your home, ideal for your family and friends gathering, parties, celebrations etc.

The prices for their Live Sri Lanka crabs and other dishes are reasonable in my personal view, delivery to the comfort of your home without you and your family and friends having to go out for a wonderful lunch or dinner.

If you are looking for fresh, great quality, meaty, sweet and award-winning crab dishes and other delicious zhi char dishes for your family/friends gathering in the comfort of your home, look no further than 8 Crabs!

* I would like to thank 8 Crabs for this food tasting opportunity *

The post Award-winning crabs from 8 Crabs appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Yes, in the comfort of your home kitchen, with the help of modern technology apps such as Zoom or Skype, we can learn from the locals in Japan on authentic Japanese cooking! Being a huge travel fan of Japan and Japanese cuisine (check out my Japan travel photography collection!), I started to look at airKitchen online cooking classes that are currently available.

I am a big fan of Japanese ramen, there are quite a number of different varieties and styles of Japanese ramen and I always wanted to learn how to cook ramen. Looking through the online classes, I discovered

• Online ramen noodle from scratch class (veggie/non veggie option) by Nahoko
• Online private vegan ramen and gyoza course by Rina
• Online lesson all handmade dumplings and miso soup ramen by Miki

Maybe I should sign up for all three ramen online cooking classes?

Of course, there are other Japanese cuisines that I would love to learn and cook too! Do visit airKitchen LIVE Online Cooking Class and check them out!

For all fellow travel wanderlusts and foodies, we would love to travel again once COVID-19 is under control with the vaccine available and international travel opening up again for us travelers. When you visit Japan, remember to sign up for the airKitchen authentic cooking class  in Japan!

During this COVID-19 situation, we can still learn Japanese cooking with airKitchen LIVE Online Cooking Class, thanks to technology such as Zoom and Skype!

Do Pay It Forward and Pass It On, share this wonderful Japanese cooking experience with airKitchen live online cooking class with your fellow travelers, foodies, your family, loved ones, relatives and friends!

頂きます (Itadakimasu) !

Thank you! Have a fun authentic Japanese cooking and おしい (Oshi) experience!

The post Learn Japanese Cooking with airKitchen LIVE Online Cooking Class! appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

My journey and friendship with The Quarters started back in 2014 when I knew them via their iconic durian creme brûlée at a heritage festival event food village. They are a local fusion food haven, had an unforgettable modern communal dining “The Quarters Experience”, delicious chargrilled cuisine and two iconic burgers, The Real Nasi Lemak Burger and The Real McCoy – Salted Egg Burger.    

Check out The Quarters Take Away Menu below during this Circuit Breaker period

Let’s all support our local food businesses in Singapore during this very difficult period with #SavefnbSG !! Let’s all #SGUnited #SGTogether against #CircuitBreaker period in Singapore. As a fellow foodie and as a photographer running my own sole-proprietor business, I personally can relate to the stress and pressure that small and medium enterprises are facing right now. The time is now to try and help each other to survive if you are able to do so.

Everyone of us can help each other in a small way or another, let’s all Pay It Forward and Pass It On, The Quarters take away menu that you can order during this circuit breaker period. When the circuit breaker is lifted, I encourage you to visit them at Icon Village and have a cosy meal there!

* Menu picture courtesy of The Quarters *

The post The Quarters Take Away Menu appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Photo courtesy of airKitchen

From my travel photography, articles and photographs, you can view that I am a big fan of Japan travel and of course, their delicious Japanese food! You can view my Japan travel photographs on Flickr! Currently, I have a dedicated Hokkaido food photo album and I am going to expand my Japanese food photography adventures on my next visit to other parts of Japan!

I was recently introduced to airKitchen, I visited their website and I am very excited to know about them and what they do! Travelers from all over the world can book an authentic cooking class by Japanese hosts in their homes! I can learn to cook homemade Japanese food, make new friends with the local Japanese and have a meal with the Japanese food that I learned to prepare and cook!

How does it work? Visit airKitchen website, search by destinations that you are traveling to or search by your favourite Japanese food! Next up, follow the steps below

Step 1: Book

Step 2: Cook

Step 3: Enjoy your meal!

Photo courtesy of airKitchen

Yes, on my next trip to Japan for another travel photography adventure, I am going to book a ramen cooking class! I can finally learn how to make, prepare, cook and eat authentic Japanese ramen via airKitchen! In my future Japan travel photography adventures, I would plan authentic cooking classes in Japan with airKitchen!

For all fellow travelers and foodies around the world, if you love Japanese food, do visit airKitchen and check out their authentic cooking classes that you can book, cook and enjoy with local Japanese people! Remember to Pay It Forward and Pass It On!

頂きます (Itadakimasu) !

Thank you and have a nice Japanese meal!

The post Join an Authentic Cooking Class in Japan with airKitchen! appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

One week later, we made our appearance at Jurong East Street 31, visiting QUAN FA mookata. Personally, this was also my first time eating a mookata meal! While we were hungry with a grumbling stomach, we had to wait eagerly to cook and eat because food photography had to be completed first, the cameras ate first before we can cook them and eat!

A brief history and introduction to QUAN FA mookata

First and foremost, before I go into the most important segments on the food, let me share a brief history and introduction to QUAN FA mookata.

Since 1999, a group of passionate farmers to ethical suppliers, supplying the best, quality produce, from the farms to the table, an authentic, fine organic produce giving customers the truest experience of the communal and traditional Thai “kampong” style mookata dining experiential journey.

Through the servings of only the finest and freshest of sustainable farming, inside their marinated chilled meats and vegetables, to the broth and sauces, Quan Fa Mookata brings you (whether you are a food lover, food writer or food connoiseur) into a world whereby the taste and quality are not just as its finest and freshest, the unqiue QUAN FA experience from the farm to table whereby you would not forget.

From farm to table mookata

Quan Fa Mookata is truly a farm to table concept, they collaborate with Quan Fa Organic Farm that delivers a variety of fresh vegetable daily. In collaboration with other local farmers, the eggs are from local egg farmer, Uncle William’s Lian Wah Hang Quail & Poultry Farm, chilled meat from Toh Thye San Farm, fresh fish paste from Ha Li Fa (Bobo Fishball) and frog legs from the famed Jurong Frog Farm.

The QUAN FA mookata menu (non-prententious, all natural)

One unique aspect of Quan Fa Mookata cuisine is that they don’t serve processed ready food like your typical mookata (e.g. no luncheon meat, crabstick, hotdogs etc).  The broth is special and the skillet is lined with imported A2 milk Desi ghee instead of lard chunks.

Are you ready? The Quan Fa Mookata dining experience is now going to start, follow me through in this gastronomic delight!

Seasonal organic vegetable basket (iconic showcase of Quan Fa Organic Farm)

This vegetable basket is a silent champion of the Quan Fa Mookata cuisine, it might not be as glamourous as compared to their marinated meats selection and fish paste, however, once you taste it, the vegetables would change your mind. It’s the showcase of Quan Fa Organic Farm’s prized produce, delivered fresh daily at 4pm, a curation and assembly of a minimum of 3 leafy greens, various hardy and seasonal vegetables.

An experience that is equivalent of going to your own vegetable garden, picking them fresh from farm and onto your mookata. Oh yes, you can eat it raw too, if you like it, organic, fresh and delicious!

Marinated meat selection

The meat are freshly chilled from local suppliers, never frozen. Great care and preparation on the meats can be felt, seen and tasted upon cooking., from careful drying to using their herbs, spices, acids and oil method, these freshly marinated meats are vacum for a minimum of 30 hours deep infusion. The dryness of the marinated meats lifts the grilling experience on the skillet.

All the preparation, thoughts and processes are testimonial to the chef with their detailed marination and sous-vide cooking technique, coming from a cook (who was formerly formally trained) and still loves his cuisine with his food photography and writing.

Guests can choose from chicken thigh, lean pork belly & collar, beef striploin, lamb leg and fresh frog legs. You might want to consider bringing a bigger group there and you can order all the marinated meats because they are really really delicious, the taste and seasoning melts in your mouth, sending you into a high on the meats!!

Fish paste

This fish paste is special, made of pure fish meat without any flour, and fully customised marination with their own herbs and acid to give it that additional flavour.

It’s too delicious when the whole group of us there were “fighting” to eat this fish paste, the fish paste was simply not enough for us. That would give you an indication to order more of this fish paste when you visit Quan Fa Mookata!

Broth (Oh yes, you can drink the soup!) and condiment

Their broth is made fresh with tons of vegetables, a mixture of leafy and hardy types, simmered together with 2 whole freshly slaughtered chilled medium chicken daily.

Yes, I am not kidding you! You can drink the soup! It’s really delicious and it will be more delicious after cooking all your various ingredients!

Their condiment is interesting, special to me. The Suki sauce is made in-house from a blend of fresh organic birdseye chilli, garlic, Thai miso paste and apple cider, accompanied with extra garic, coriander and more birdseye chilli. Being a fan of chilli mixture myself, I always love such condiment mixture!

Foodie insider tip: Mix the condiment with a bit of the broth (after cooking it with the various ingredients)

Menu: Set for 2 @ $38.0

On the order sheet, the Set for 2 @ $38.0 is the combination to start off with,  this includes:

Choice of 2 chilled marinated meat (small) + prawn (x2) + frog legs (x2) + fish paste + seasonal organic vegetable basket

Choice of 2 chilled marinated meat / set

• Beef Striploin 牛肉
• Pork Collar + Belly 猪肉
• Lamb Leg 羊肉
• Chicken Thigh 鸡腿肉

There are Ala Carte options as well! Feel free to add on and upsize!

Understanding the story behind the story of QUAN FA Experience our farm to table mookata

After our hearty and delicious food tasting Quan Fa Mookata experience, we had a good chat, to understand and learn more about Quan Fa Mookata, the orgins, history and inspiration, to share and deliver quality fresh organic produce from Quan Fa Organic Farm, accompanied by a level of marination and preparation of the highest quality and standards, delivered with the “kampong” style mookata style dining concept to the people of Singapore.

Heart warming cuisine for your heart and soul, they are of excellent quality and standards, fresh and very delicious yet you can still eat in a healthy manner whereby you can experience them at Quan Fa Mookata! You can feel the passion and pride in their organic produce, curation of local suppliers, the marination and preparation, melts right in your mouth upon cooking and eating them.

Having heard so much about Quan Fa Organic Farm, where the inspiration/idea of Quan Fa Mookata was born, I would love to visit the farm myself and bring you another story one day.

Share this wonderful, unique and delicious organic communal dining experience with your family, relatives, loved ones, friends, colleagues and social media! Experience farm to table mookata with Quan Fa Mookata!

I would like to say a big Thank You to Marcus and Justin, from Quan Fa Mookata, for hosting us with your warm hospitality and your own unique Experience our farm to table mookata at Quan Fa Mookata! I would also like to thank Belinda for organising this wonderful food tasting session at Quan Fa Mookata!

More photographs of this delightful and delicious organic fresh produce Quan Fa Mookata can be viewed here in my Flickr album!

Information and details on QUAN FA mookata

Address:

PDSS 318 Food Cafeteria

Blk 318 Jurong East Street 31

Singapore 602318

Opening Hours: 6pm to 10:30pm (daily except Tuesday)

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/QFMookata

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qf_mookata/

The post QUAN FA (a farm to table) mookata appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.