Orange Latern

Reunion dinners are some of the most meaningful, memorable, and complex events a family may share. It is an annual event that is held on New Year’s Eve of the Lunar calendar. In most societies where people are usually busy finding it hard to have a get-together, reunion dinners are considered one of the most important meals a family can have. But how do you find time to… expertly plan and shop for the meals? please every palate? meet the needs of every special diet? provide assurance of a quality menu? know how to maintain food safety? determine correct quantities so there is neither waste nor the possibility of anyone going hungry? deliver on time? create beautiful presentations? flexibly improvise when the unexpected occurs? bring tables, linens, chairs and décor suitable for the venue? ensure professional wait service? break down + clean up thoroughly? …and still be spending quality time with relatives you may not have seen for a long time? The ans...

If you are wondering how and where you should get your meals from during CNY, look no further. In this article, we will be going through some of the problems faced during this period where food is actually hard to get during this festive season. 1: It is Chinese New Year and everywhere is crowded Can you imagine after leaving the house for dinner, you are faced with a crowd everywhere you go? Be it on the train, the bus and even on the roads where you might be faced with a traffic jam. Do these factors simply affect your mood? After all, you should be happy during this season. And that is why you should be staying in the comfort of your own home and wait for the food to arrive. One such option would be to get a  buffet catering . After all, it is going to be cheaper than what you are having outside. And of course, it is going to be able to accommodate the family and even your extended ones as well. 2: It is Chinese New Year and every F&B establishment is eith...

Throwing a party or organizing an event is never an easy job. There are so many things to consider. The essential steps to a memorable party are determined by the planning process and there are a number of things to consider to ensure the party is a success. #1 DATE  Select a date and plan ahead.   This might seem self-explanatory, but choosing a date in advance is the first step in planning a party. If you have a favourite place where you want to organize your event, it’s also good to check beforehand to see if the venue is available on your selected day. Have a back-up date in mind in case your first choice isn't available at your chosen venue. #2  BUDGET The best way to avoid overspending is to set a budget so you know how much are you willing to spend on your party. Divvy up your funds accordingly to rental of venue, decorations, entertainment, presents, food and drinks. Set aside a buffer of 10% of funds for miscellaneous items. #3 VENUE Where d...

Corporate Christmas parties are often misunderstood by company management as a ‘must-have’ event since everyone else is doing it. So, is it really necessary? Here, we look at the benefits of having one on the corporate level; Appreciation - Here we recognise the hard work of all members of your organisation and to end the hectic year with a bang! Closer bonds through informal setting - In a Christmas setting, everyone will let down their hair and to get to know one another better in an informal setting. Translates to better communication in work in the near future. Motivation – Having a joyous event during the season of giving is a good way to recharge and to further motivate your staff in the coming new year! Brand Values   – A reminder of what your company stands for in the market and be part of the growth. Brand Loyalty   – Parties build up team spirit and bonding. Critical factors that ensure a good organisation culture. Honest feedback – When bonds are built ...

If you are a SME, it can be challenging to create a party atmosphere for your staff Christmas party.  This is much different for larger companies where they have the headcounts to help get the year-end celebrations going and planned. As well as giving your staff the chance to let their hair down, holding a Christmas Party is a valuable way of rewarding them for all their hard work. To add, given the smaller budget for SMEs, there are limitations to how grand you can have a party. Choosing the right location and setting for your party is important to enhance the feeling of cohesiveness among staff.  A poor setting, basic food and low budget Christmas decorations could leave your staff feeling undervalued and defeat the purpose of having the party in the first place. As spoken earlier, there are limitations to the venue selections due to constraint budget for smaller companies. During this season of the year, most eateries are offering only Christmas Sets and Menu, and t...

Having a good  local food distributor  for your F&B business is almost as important as having the best food in town. This is so as the quality of the raw ingredients along with their affordability and availability are crucial to the success of cafes, restaurants or any other F&B setups.  It is understandable that every business has its own needs and this simply serves as a guide to sourcing the right and compatible suppliers for your F&B business.  Selling you the best products.   A good  local food supplier   will keep your business in mind at all times and is able to create a selection of exclusive products that they know will perfectly match your offering selections. Prompt delivery for all of your orders .  They are always one step ahead of your needs, and they are able to do whatever it takes to ensure timely deliveries at all times. Transparent.     Transparency in terms of price and food origin is one...

Based on studies carried out over the past few years, we have noted some pointers for F&B operators to shortlist their food suppliers. Look at their references, licenses and experience A food supplier’s reputation is a good way to gauge if you have found the right partner. This can be done by research through industry people, online reviews, website, social media platforms etc. For licenses and inspection accreditations, you can check with the relevant issuance authorities via email or online checks. And it is, of course, important that the chosen supplier has met all food safety regulations as mandated by the authorities. Distance The quality of raw ingredients will always be better if you choose to purchase from a food supplier of fresh products who is nearby your operating venue. Quality and freshness of produce is one major factor where customers are more than willing to pay for the price you have set. If your product is not fresh and even for you selling at a l...