Far East Organization introduces Chef X, a unique initiative tailored for home-based chefs aspiring to step into the commercial restaurant arena.
Opening its doors on 26 April 2024 at Clarke Quay Central mall, Chef X offers a dynamic platform where these chefs can showcase their culinary prowess in a professional setting.
A Sandbox for Culinary Dreams
Chef X provides an exciting opportunity for home-based chefs to operate their own restaurant for either four or eight weeks. With a professionally designed F&B space equipped with commercial-grade kitchen facilities and a dining area accommodating up to 24 diners, this initiative bridges the gap between home kitchens and commercial establishments.
Ms Deborah Tan, Director of the Retail Business Group at Far East Organization, says this is part of the organisation’s vision of “Inspiring Better Lives” and is “a retail innovation offering a taste of running a restaurant within a mall environment at minimal risk”.
This isn’t the first time Far East Organization has taken on a sandbox concept like this, as Chef X is an extension of the successful Baker X programme at Orchard Central for home-based bakers.
More Than Just a Kitchen
Beyond providing a fully equipped kitchen and restaurant space, Chef X goes the extra mile by offering a comprehensive mentorship programme. Home chefs will learn the intricacies of operating a restaurant, from menu planning and food presentation to business and human resource management.
Guiding these aspiring chefs is Chef Isaac Tan, Head of Culinary & Product Innovations for Commonwealth Concepts (CWC), an industry veteran renowned for his leadership of dining institutions like Bedrock Bar & Grill. With his expertise, resident chefs can expect invaluable insights to refine their culinary creations and business acumen.
Chef X Line-up
Chef X’s inaugural lineup promises a diverse array of culinary delights, ranging from heartwarming dishes inspired by grandmother’s kitchen and Korean kimchi-based creations to Japanese bentos and seven-course omakase meals. With a rotating roster of four home chefs, diners can look forward to a unique dining experience with each visit.
Here are the chefs you can look forward to:
Royaleys Smoky Boat
Helmed by Sydnee Loue, Royaleys Smoky Boat kicks off the Chef X series.
Sydnee’s creations feature unique banana leaf parcels filled with premium rice and a variety of ingredients such as chicken, fish, prawn, or soybean, grilled to perfection for a smoky flavour. These are all made from scratch using fresh and natural ingredients.
Inspired by her Indonesian roots and Singapore’s diversity, Sydnee’s dishes are flavourful, as well as colourful – don’t forget to grab a photo or two for the ‘gram!
Highlights: Smoky Boat Rice
Period: 26 Apr – 21 Jun
Operating hours: 11.30am – 9pm, Thu to Tue (Closed on Wed)
Contact: Instagram
Wanting Kimchi
Former corporate executive Zeng Wanting is the creative force behind Wanting Kimchi.
Known for her wild-fermented, low-salt, low-sugar, and MSG-free kimchi, Wanting’s offerings blend complex flavours with comforting home-style tastes.
During her residency, customers can indulge in signature items like Signature Cabbage Kimchi, Addictive Apple Kimchi, and Wild Fermented Lemonade, along with a selection of hot food available for dine-in and takeaway.
Don’t miss the chance to savour her unique kimchi jjim, a braised dish featuring slow-aged cabbage kimchi and fresh pork, promising a rich yet light dining experience.
Highlights: Signature Cabbage Kimchi, Addictive Apple Kimchi
Period: 1 Jul – 26 Aug
Operating hours: To be announced
Contact: Instagram
Popo’s Kitchen
Discover the heartwarming flavours of Popo’s Kitchen, where early childhood educator Jasmine Foo channels her grandmother’s culinary legacy into comforting dishes.
Inspired by her “popo” (grandmother), Jasmine offers traditional Chinese delights like soon kueh and yam cake, reflecting her childhood memories.
During her Chef X residency, Jasmine expands her menu to include innovative soon kueh flavours like Tom Yum Chicken and Kimchi, alongside sauced mee siam with sambal prawns and flavourful roast chicken options. Jasmine has also created a delectable and unique yam kueh that will debut at Chef X.
Highlights: Soon Kueh, Mala Soon Kueh, Yam Kueh, Mee Siam
Period: 5 Sep – 30 Oct
Operating hours: To be announced
Contact: Instagram
ooomahmee
Joining Chef X as the final resident of 2024 is ooomahmee, a culinary venture by designer-turned-foodie Benjamin Lai, specialising in chilled Japanese-style dishes.
At Chef X, Benjamin expands his menu to include hot dishes, such as tori yuzu don featuring savory chicken leg with a hint of yuzu and unagi don showcasing steamed-then-grilled unagi kabayaki atop Japanese seaweed rice.
Fans of his signatures such as the chilled truffle infused capellini with scallop carpaccio and ikura will also be able to look forward to them at Chef X.
Don’t miss Benjamin’s private dining omakase menu, which will make its appearance at Chef X, featuring signature dishes like the ooomahmee Bomb and Snow Crab Chawanmushi.
Psst, while you’re there, keep a lookout for the beautiful bowls that are handmade by Benjamin and his teachers!
Highlights: Bara Chirashim, Tori Yuzu Don, Unagi Don
Period: 16 Dec – 10 Feb 2025
Operating hours: To be announced
Contact: Instagram
Chef X is located at 6 Eu Tong Sen Street, #03-103/104 Clarke Quay Central, Singapore 059817)
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