EDITOR'S NOTE
Creativity and ingenuity have surfaced as a result of the current situation. Undeterred by the challenges being faced, restaurateurs, both big and small, have had to deal with lock-down restrictions, rental pressures, operational issues and tension with delivery platforms over high commission fees, not to mention managing staff welfare and morale.
Immense demonstrations of tenacity among the F&B industry have arisen, with initiatives that demonstrate commercial resilience as well as care for the community. Local boys from a Michelin-starred restaurant and other independent players have come together to provide meals to healthcare workers at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases. Not only that, these restaurants will also donate a percentage of proceeds to fund these meals despite seeing their respective sales head north in recent months. Labyrinth’s chef-owner LG Han has rallied friends from Jam at Siri House, Keng Eng Kee Seafood, Sanity Coffee and Pezzo Group to contribute to this cause. We have also seen World Gourmet Summit organise an event that saw 21 F&B establishments preparing 200 daily meals for the staff at Sengkang General Hospital from March 30 to April 4.
These initiatives are examples of efforts that will hopefully continue to set off a chain of similar intentions to pay it forward. It is something that is badly needed at this time, to generate the positive energy that will resonate in the community and lift its spirits. It does not solve the financial problem, but food is most certainly the “music of love” that soothes ravaged souls.
With this ‘antidote’, we hope that our readers will help to pay it forward by supporting such restaurants and by whipping up dishes to foster the bonding in your home and in your social community. Spread the love, and start with our recipes for Mother’s Day (pg 58).