Okada Coffee Japan - The Romance Of A Loving Couple

The career of Hide Okada the professional chef and coffee roaster began 30 years ago. A culinary school graduate majoring in Chinese cuisine, he started teaching soon after his graduation.

Kae was a junior in the same cooking school. A hardworking and serious young lady, she took some time to get used to the male-dominated culinary environment, and was never moved by any of Hide's jokes. She continued in her quiet hardworking way and was always kind to others. Hide fell in love with her, and successfully courted her to marriage.

After their marriage, they did not work in the culinary industry. They persisted for more than ten years in their jobs before Kae's health was overwhelmed by the terrible stress they felt. At this point, they both realized that there was more life than high salaries - Physical and mental health mattered more.

Without the presence of his wife and life companion by his side, Hide knew that he had to do something for her. He was desperate to seek any solution that could help Kae. Eventually he came to know about the ability of fresh coffee fragrance to stabilize women's emotions.

A regular coffee drinker, he would normally look for places to buy fresh coffee beans. But now, he was inspired by his own cooking background. After all, there can be no fresher beans that the ones you roast yourself, he thought.

Coffee beans handpicked to ensure their premium quality and freshness...

Although an expert in Chinese cuisine, he was still a layman in coffee roasting. He thought hard about how to begin and bought a simple coffee roaster, trying out roasting methods using his gas stove at home. Many incidents occurred which left a terrible smell and mess in the kitchen. Undaunted, Hide continued his roasting trials in his garage using a portable burner stove. Determined to make the perfect cup for Kae, he finally succeeded with his culinary experience and ongoing persistence.

Determination and mastery at work...

Nevertheless, Kae still preferred tea. She disliked the bitter aftertaste of regular coffee, and refused to touch Hide's painstakingly-roasted beans. This made Hide start sharing some leftover roasts with his family and friends. They loved his fragrant roasts so much that they were willing to pay for more of them. Hide then made up his mind to leave his torturous job and make his living selling coffee. He found an old store in his own town, and opened his own coffee joint, selling his beloved roasts side by side with his wife. Seven years have since passed. At times, Kae was so seriously ill that Hide had to man the store alone. But he persevered. Eventually, his store became famous in the region with his aromatic coffee, served with homemade dishes and delicious desserts made with love by the couple.

The regular coffee served by Hide is no longer "regular" but a special brew roasted with love and served with warmth. Kae started to recover, and fell in love with the coffee made with her husband's full heart. It is this special coffee that changed the life of two ordinary people and their love.

And today, they are here to serve their special brew to Singaporeans at the Food Japan Asia, so that we can enjoy their fragrant brew from our sunny island of Singapore.

Roasts available:

Even when prepared from a makeshift booth at Food Japan 2018, Okada's brews were smooth with light fruity overtones and low acidity. The fragrant aroma entices one to take yet another sip to savour the silky smooth viscosity of the intense flavour.

Coffee taste guide:

Here's how to order:

www.okada-coffee.jp/cavia

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Food Japan 2018 - Focus On Food Quality Management

Back for the seventh consecutive year, Food Japan 2018 featured a dazzling mix of Japanese produce, ingredients, sake , and technology at the Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre Halls 401 and 402 last weekend. The convention opened exclusively to trade visitors on 25-26 October, with general admission for the public on 27 October.

  

"There is more to Japanese exports than end products like sushi and shabu shabu. Waiting to be discovered is a full suite of original equipment manufacturers (OEM) in food materials, processing technology, and kitchen instruments that currently do not receive much fanfare in Southeast Asia. Through this year’s programming, we hope to impart the rich heritage of Japanese culture and best practices in food quality management in an interactive and engaging fashion." 

--- Mr Masanao Nishida, Director of Food Japan ---

The three day long exhibition saw food quality management take center stage at Food Japan 2018. The superior quality of Japanese F&B products, which are subject to rigorous quality checks and produced using advanced food safety techniques received the spotlight.

• Nippon Suisan Kaisha, a subsidiary of NISSUI Group, utilizes a vertically-integrated operation to ensure the safety of its marine produce such as kurose buri (yellowtail) and pollock roe.
     
• Tsukuba Dairy Products adopts an integrated hygiene management program, along with hazard analysis and quality management certifications to reduce the risks of cross-contamination in the processing of its dairy and nut products.
     
• With more and more consumers turning to healthier alternatives, the event also showcased key exhibitors responding to this demand. Morinaga Nutritional Foods brought to the event an extensive range of dairy products which includes its vegetable oil free, full-dairy creamer Creap.
    
• Daiei Foods brought to the event various Halal-certified fishery food products – a nod to Japan’s growing interest in Muslim-majority countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia. 21 Max New Solution showcased its latest line of productivity-boosting rice cookers – KUBOTA. These devices are designed to help restaurants cope with the challenges of a restricted labour force.

"Japan’s agriculture, forestry and fishery exports surpassed JPY435 billion in the first half of 2018, a significant increase over the same period last year – this suggests consumer trust towards Japanese food export is on the rise. To maintain this momentum, we want to highlight key trends such as food quality, functional food and halal products at Food Japan 2018 to further cement Japan’s leadership position in the food and beverage industry in Southeast Asia."

--- Mr Masanao Nishida, Director of Food Japan ---

   

Over 200 exhibitors attended Food Japan 2018, which hosted specialities from various Japanese prefectures. 35% were participating for the first time, bringing fresh seasonal produce, delectable ingredients, sake and cutting-edge Japanese technology to the region.

In a bid to support relief efforts for the Hokkaido earthquake, Food Japan will donate S$1 for every Hokkaido food item purchased at the exhibition’s J Food Court to the Japanese Red Cross Society’s (JRCS) Hokkaido Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund.

For more information on Food Japan 2018, visit www.oishii-world.com/en/ or instagram.com/foodjapansg.

  

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Sarawak - More To Discover

Recently Merlion Wayfarer attended a uniquely Sarawakian evening, which saw the Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, the Honourable Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah launch the Visit Sarawak logo which preceded its tourism campaign. 

The "Visit Sarawak" Logo

The overall style of the logo is simple, friendly and approachable while keeping its impactful nature. The brush strokes of the logo font portrays a fun and friendliness, representing the unparalleled hospitality found in Sarawak. The different and vibrant colours represent the diversity and multitude of elements that make Sarawak unique.

• Red and yellow indicate the colours in the Sarawak flag, hence their use in the letters “S” and “R”.
    
• Orange represents the strong spirit and vibrant energy of the different ethnic communities within Sarawak.
    
• Green represents the luscious rainforests teeming with life.
    
• Blue reflects the calmness of the ocean along Sarawak’s long coastline.
    
• The stylised “S” in the logo features a curling pattern, imitating a traditional design that is often used in the artwork of the Dayak and Orang Ulu people.
    
• The ‘hornbill head’ in the centre replacing the ‘A’ alphabet represents the “Bumi Kenyalang” that the State has been labelled for many years as well as the cultural significance the hornbill has to the indigenous people of Sarawak. It also adds another natural element to the logo, as one of Sarawak’s main attractions is its nature.

"More To Discover"

The “More to Discover” phrase ensures that a person needs to set foot in Sarawak personally to truly discover all the attractions Sarawak holds. It also promises that once a person has been to Sarawak, there is always more for them to experience and discover, as there is far more within the State than can be experienced by a traveller within one trip.

Discover Culture

As the largest state in Malaysia, Sarawak is home to 27 ethnic groups, speaking 45 languages and dialects, and each with their own stories, colorful cultures, traditions, and beliefs that makes Sarawak a cultural extravaganza just waiting to be explored.

What's a launch event without a bit of excitement?

Here, a tribal performer holds up a wand of balloons while invited members of the audience attempt a tryout with a blowpipe...

Discover Adventures

On land, visitors have a plethora of adventures to choose from – from jungle trekking, adventure caving, to mountain climbing, rock climbing and jungle expeditions. In water, visitors can choose from river activities, diving, water sports, fishing, jet skiing and yachting.

Urban explorers can visit Kuching, which has one of the most interesting architecture mix in Malaysia, with colonial buildings amongst modern architecture.

Discover Nature

Sarawak has a 56 totally protected areas, 37 gazetted national parks, five wildlife sanctuaries and 14 nature reserves, with rainforests the size of Austria. Its rainforests house the world’s richest and most diverse ecosystem - Home to the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia (that can grow to the size of a coffee table), squirrels and snakes that fly, deer the size of cats, plants that eat insects (and small animals), the orang utan, the proboscis monkey, the hornbill, the Rajah Brooke butterfly and the silverleaf monkey...

The launch of the campaign showed the floral and fauna of Sarawak as a backdrop,
fronted by the graceful movements of a dancer...

For more information on Sarawak Tourism, visit sarawaktourism.com

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Expedia Study - Parents with Kids Emerge as Top Staycationers in Singapore

7 in 10 parents with kids have gone on at least one staycation in the past year, with the school holiday months of June and December being the most popular staycation periods in Singapore

It’s a well-known fact that Singaporeans love to travel, but do they also enjoy being tourists in their own backyard? Brand Expedia today released findings from the 2018 Singapore Staycation Study, which revealed that Singaporeans are also avid staycationers. In fact, 6 in 10 Singaporeans have gone on at least one staycation in the past 12 months, with Singaporeans averaging 2.4 staycations over the past year, just slightly less than the 3 personal overseas flights they take in a year.

“Over the years, staycations have been growing in popularity among Singaporeans. Not only does this underscore the growing appeal of Singaporeans being tourists in their own backyard, staycations have also become quick and easy alternatives for Singaporeans to take a short break without the need for detailed planning or extensive travelling.” 

--- Simon Fiquet, MD Global Series Markets, Brand Expedia ---

With Singaporeans being such avid staycationers, the 2018 Singapore Staycation Study also looked at

the staycation motivations and behaviours of over 500 Singaporeans aged 21 and above, and uncovered key insights into their attitudes and preferences when making staycation choices.

PARENTS WITH KIDS ARE TOP STAYCATIONERS IN SINGAPORE

Comparing the staycation habits across various demographic groups - including single adults, adults who are married without kids, and parents with kids - Singaporeans who are married with kids emerged as the top staycationers in Singapore, with 68% of them having gone on a staycation in the past 12 months. This was followed by those who are married with no kids (66%)* and the singles (58%).

Corresponding to this trend, the months of June and December also came up tops as the most popular staycation periods. 41% of staycationers go on a staycation in December, 32% in June, 18% in November and 17% in March. In addition, 70% of staycationers who are married with kids typically go on a staycation in the school holiday months of June, November and December.

“As a parent of three, it's not easy to find time and energy to bring my family on a vacation. Going on a staycation not only can be a quick and easy alternative for a family vacation, it can be a quick break away from the kids for some couple time as well.” 

--- Michelle Hon, Author and Founder of The Chill Mom ---

Besides being the most avid group of staycationers, the discretionary spending among those married with kids is also one of the highest amongst groups, with spending on staycations averaging S$238 a night, second only to those who are married without kids. Additionally, 45% of those who are married with kids stayed 3-4 nights on their last booked staycation and 68% of them went with 3 or more people on their last staycation.

HOTELS PREFERRED AMONG SINGAPORE STAYCATIONERS

With its family-friendly facilities, proximity to tourist attractions, and easy access to complimentary Wi-Fi and breakfast, it came as no surprise that hotels are the preferred staycation option among Singaporeans.

74% of staycationers booked a hotel for their staycation in the past 12 months. Among this group, 54% of staycationers who booked a hotel for their last staycation chose a four-star hotel, while 33% opted for a five-star hotel.

Comfortable queen/king-sized beds with down pillow options...

Most intriguingly, parents with kids stood out from the crowd with their preference for hotels, especially for five-star hotels. 9 in 10 (89%) staycationers who are married with kids booked a hotel for their last staycation. Out of that, 39% of staycationers who are married with kids chose a five-star hotel, even though slightly more than one in two (55%) chose a four-star hotel.

Kids-friendly facilities in Shangri-La Hotel include complimentary loan of family necessities, play area for kids, activity rooms for the family...

“Hotels are set up to take care of one’s every need and coming for a staycation is almost like spoiling

yourself without the hassle of travel. Set on 15 hectares of gardens, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore offers families a range of memorable experiences making them feel like they are literally in a resort off Orchard Road. In line with the study conducted by Brand Expedia this year, we have also seen more families stay with us after launching Buds by Shangri-La alongside our Themed Family Suites.” 

--- Bipan Kapur, General Manager, Shangri-La Hotel Singapore ---

There are also themed rooms in Shangri-La - This is the space-themed one to encourage little explorers on their lunar mission...

In terms of the activities that staycationers engage in, making use of hotel facilities, visiting nearby attractions, dining in, going shopping and watching movies emerged as the five most popular activities among the respondents. 70% of staycationers said they made use of the hotel facilities, 62% visited nearby attractions and 56% dined in during their last staycation – further highlighting the importance of hotel facilities, proximity to local attractions and dining options in attracting Singapore staycationers.

FREE BREAKFAST, GREAT DEALS MOST IMPORTANT FOR SINGAPOREAN STAYCATIONERS

With seven in 10 (66%) of Singaporeans likely to book a staycation in the next 12 months, the study also uncovered insights into the key motivational factors for booking an upcoming staycation. When asked about the consideration factors for selecting an accommodation for a staycation, 33% of Singaporeans indicated free breakfast as their top consideration, followed by 31% who indicated great deals and 29% who indicated convenience of locations.

However, among those who are married without kids, complimentary upgrades emerged as the top consideration factor when selecting an accommodation for a staycation. This reflects the tendency for this group of staycationers to prefer pampering experiences over convenience and cost savings, as compared to single staycationers, who displayed clear preferences for free breakfast and great deals.

Among Singaporeans who are married with kids, 32% indicated free breakfast and convenient locations as their top two considerations.

“With the insights gathered from the 2018 Singapore Staycation Study, we hope that this will help our

partners deliver better staycation offerings, and our customers to score great deals on their next staycation.”

--- Simon Fiquet, MD Global Series Markets, Brand Expedia ---

PRICE AND RELIABILITY MOST IMPORTANT FOR BOOKING STAYCATIONS ONLINE

Looking at the staycation booking methods used by Singaporeans, almost all staycationers booked their stays online. 53% of staycationers booked their hotel accommodation from online travel agencies such as Expedia and 45% booked with the hotel websites directly.

When asked about the factors that led to their choice of booking platform, 54% of staycationers who booked their accommodation from online travel agencies chose their booking platform because of brand reliability, 51% because of price and 46% because of the great deals. In addition, 74% of Singaporeans who have not gone on a staycation in the past 12 months said that price promotions would motivate/attract them to book a staycation in the future.

“At Brand Expedia, we offer a wide range of accommodation options and deals to our customers to ensure that they get the best prices when they book their staycations with us. With daily deals, flash deals and filter options that bring users straight to the options that fit their needs, booking your dream staycation can now be really quick and fuss-free.”

--- Simon Fiquet, MD Global Series Markets, Brand Expedia ---

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Cartoon Network Cruise Ship - Sailing From Singapore In Late 2018

From reel life to real life, luxury cruise operator Oceanic Group partners Turner
 for the definitive Cartoon Network experience -
 bringing iconic characters from The Powerpuff Girls to We Bare Bears to life on the high seas.

For the first time, some of the world’s most famous cartoon characters will set sail on their very own cruise liner. This fully-branded ship is the result of a partnership between Oceanic Group, Asia-Pacific's leading cruise management company, and Turner, the global media giant behind Cartoon Network.

The two charismatic business leaders - Daniel Chui, CE, Oceanic Group and Ricky Ow, President, Turner Asia Pacific, elaborate on their philosophies behind the novel partnership...

Set to make its maiden voyage from its home port of Singapore in late 2018, the 11 guest-deck, 2,000-guest Cartoon Network Wave will be one vast haven for Toon-loving travellers. This is the first time anywhere that a cruise liner has undergone a full Cartoon Network transformation. With the ocean as a backdrop, families will enjoy the world’s first immersive Toon vacation at sea, and an adventure with their favourite Cartoon Network stars.

And the partnership is launched!

The novel thematic onboard experience of Cartoon Network Wave is inspired by Cartoon Network’s universe of well-loved characters from iconic shows such as Adventure Time, Ben 10, The Powerpuff Girls and We Bare Bears. This includes a variety of diverse entertainment, activity and recreation features, as well as retail and food and beverage options.

Cosy Cartoon Network-themed furnishings abound -

Triplex Lounge and Kids Room...

Enjoy the sea breeze at Toonix & the outdoor Rope Adventure Park...

Cartoon Network Wave will be docked at the Singapore Cruise Centre and will sail to 13 popular destinations in the Asia Pacific region including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia and Japan. Online bookings for Cartoon Network Wave will start later in the year. More details on the booking dates and itineraries will be released on the Cartoon Network Wave website.

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