Market News

photo:A chicken rice meal served in a hawker centre As the adage goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”. In Singapore, one must dine at a hawker centre to truly experience the authenticity of local fare. A hawker centre is an open-spaced food complex that serves a...

Automation refers to a series of pre-programmed technology implemented in the food and beverage industry – usually at the food manufacturing or food processing plant. Technological advancement can range from a basic sensor opening and closing of a valve to stations manned by robots to deliver accuracy and speed...

Mastering basic cooking techniques is essential for chefs and cooks in the food and beverage industry. Different styles of cooking can impact the final output of the dish in terms of taste, presentation and texture1. Cooking techniques are categorized into two groups: dry-heat and moist-heat cooking1. Dry-heat cooking The...

Southeast Asia is a melting pot of culinary discovery. While it is simple and often inexpensive to dine at restaurants throughout the region, many locals believe the best foods on offer can only be found literally on the street – by street hawkers. These hawkers often specialize in a...

Sampuru is a Japanese adaptation of the English word ‘sample’1. It refers to replicating food using plastic in the most realistic manner. The process to create sampuru is thorough. It begins with designing the silicone molds that would be used to replicate the dish. Liquid plastic, also known as polyvinyl chloride, is...

Bak kwa is a meat snack commonly consumed in Singapore and Malaysia. It is produced by using a traditional food preservation technique that was developed in Southern China1. After preserving the meat by salting and drying under the sun, the bak kwa is grilled with a combination of spices, soy sauce, and...

Worldwide consumption of Asian food has grown by nearly 500 per cent since 1999 and this figure is expected to grow1,2. In recent times, individuals are also becoming more health-conscious3. According to Nielsen’s 2015 Global Health & Wellness Survey that polled over 30,000 individuals, 88 per cent of diners...

Cashless dining is rapidly gaining popularity worldwide1. This innovative payment method has opened up new avenues in daily transactions between restaurateurs and consumers, allowing merchants to increase their point-of-sale transactions2. There are two forms of cashless dining. The first form is the ‘traditional’ mode of payment, where the amount...

photo: A dish prepared in a food festival in Asia  As the global gastro revolution continues, consumers are exposed to more dining options1. Food festivals are a great platform for fine-dining restaurants and hawkers to display their culinary skills. Through this avenue, they also get to build a loyal...

photo: A themed shopping mall in Asia Over time, consumers have become more technologically integrated and digitalized in their lifestyles1. Brick-and-mortar outlets are constantly on the lookout for innovative ways to retain foot traffic into their stores as they compete with online retailers. One such effort retailers have adopted is...