It’s no wonder chef Janice Wong, one of Singapore's most innovative dessert makers, has been named Asia’s Best Pastry Chef two years in a row. In addition to opening a dessert restaurant and self-titled sweets concept, Wong recently created an exclusive installation for the launch of “From Singapore With Love”, a festival celebrating local food and culture. Featuring distinctive Singaporean flavors like an edible wall of “potong” chocolate and a bed of durian in a pop-art influenced display, the installation delighted over 200 guests. Below, explore Wong’s guide to all things tasty.
What inspired you to pursue a career as a pastry chef?
I was studying in Melbourne for six months for the student exchange program in university. On my off days, I would head out to the farms and vineyards in search of fresh produce. It struck me one day that I would love to open a concept in Singapore delivering unique sweet experiences to customers. I ate a fresh strawberry, and that made me realize that what we get here in Singapore is very clean—which means everything is washed and you get a one-dimensional flavour. But what you get off the farm is a sort of earthiness, layers of different flavours, sometimes even smokiness. This is something that we don’t get if we don’t go to the farm to smell the produce and the surroundings.
What does travel mean to you? How does it influence your work?
Travel to me is exploring and learning about a new culture, and opening my mind to a world of endless possibilities. It allows me to engage with new friends and cultural exchanges—experiencing different tastes, smells and colors, which influence my cooking and my art. It plays a big role as, without these exchanges, I wouldn't have gained inspirations and experiences in my craft. For instance, being in New York and Barcelona when I was younger allowed me to appreciate the architecture of the cities, which are both so different. I am a fan of architecture and design. The exposure to different disciplines allows me to push my imagination further.
