Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014

My partner in crime Maureen aka MissTamChiak approached me to help her out in this year Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 with less than three months to put everything together. I have organised Hawker Food Trails with her, a dinner makan session for 60 people but nothing at this big scale. It was a tall task and time was not in favour to us. We also rooted in Ian aka TheSilverChef who willingly sacrificed his time to assist us and more importantly for the needy and disadvantaged under the care of Touch Community Services. As time was against us, many times the three of us have to take leaves and burnt our weekends to ensure everything is ready by the big day on 22 November 2014. I remembered Maureen telling me this, "I see you more than my fiance".

It was a challenge and journey that I do not regretted. I have learnt a lot from this hawkers and I am glad I am given the opportunity to do so. I sincerely like to thank each and every hawkers and chefs who sacrifice their time and some even a day's earning to raise fund for the beneficiaries under the care of Touch Community Services.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. You are all my heroes.

Lionel from Rong Cheng Bak Kut Teh and Pek Sin Choon
Kenry from Pek Sin Choon
Grace & Shirley from Chey Sua
Kelvin, SK and team from Tenderfresh
Ah Boon from Good Chance Popiah
Tony Tee and the ultimate croc team from Crocodile King
Douglas from Fishball Story
Jemmy & Jimmyfrom Food Glossary
Adrian & Wee from Old Bibik
Gerald & Julyn from Penang Kia
Shen Tan & Hiok Kitchen from Madam Tan Nasi Lemak
Guna from Springleaf Prata Place
Mdm Foo & Ms Loi from Tian Tian Chicken Rice
Chef Eric Neo from InterContinental
Chef Tan Yong Hua from Restaurant HOME
Chef Melvin & Rae from Ramada and Days Inn
Jome from City Satay Bee Hoon
Uncle Kun from Genshu
Kingsley from King's Roast
Jason and Benson from Onaka
Ewan from Jin Jin Dessert
Boon Leng fro Hock Kee Bird's Nest
The team from Mr Bean
Gavan from Lek Lim Cake Confectionery
Richard from Teochew Handmade Pau

You may laugh at us if I told you that both Maureen and me have nightmares leading up to the actual day. We dreamt that no one turns up for the event. It was only on 22 November 2014 when the door of the Suntec Exhibition & Convention Hall 401-402 opened and we saw the crowd streaming in that the three of us felt relief. This could not have been possible with all the help from the media and blogger friends. Thank you so much for the publicity and shout out on the main stream media and various social platforms.

Special thanks to KF Seetoh for writing an article and spreading the words. Thank you Tony and SiHan for all the blog posts. Thank you Leslie for sharing the event on your facebook. Last but not least, all the wonderful friends that came down to support the hawkers.

I also like to extend our sincere thanks to GoGoVan for the transportation, TMC Academy & ITE for the volunteers, volunteers from Touch Community Services, Stewards Solution for the equipment and Sitong for the beautiful songs to entertain the crowd. The whole event will not be possible with each and everyone of you playing a part in it. THANK YOU ALL.

*All photo credit: misstamchiak.com

Foodology Fresh @ URA Centre

Healthy food and beverage concepts are indeed sprouting, especially in the CBD area. Foodology Fresh nestled in the ground floor of URA Centre is one of the latest to offer such meals to the health conscious crowd. They have just launched their revamped menu with mains starting from $7 onwards  that comes with choices of Salads, Sandwiches and Wraps. Their ordering style differs slightly from the rest in which you can take directly from the shelf, even for soups. After which you pay at the cashier. Something that I find quite enjoyable.

photo credit: Foodology Fresh

Smoked Duck Breast Salad 4.2/5

If you are somebody who are quite choosy on your greens, their salads will be right for you. I like the way Foodology play with textures and taste profiles of the different ingredients in their salads. Take their Smoked Duck Breast Salad ($8.50) which is one of my favourites. The Smoked Duck had been cubed so you don't get too much of the smoky and salty flavour in one mouthful. Putting the arrays of ingredients together gave a burst of texture and flavours. Fresh Mescluns, chunky beetroots, soft sweet potatoes, creamy cheese, smokey duck breast and sweet crunchy walnuts.

photo credit: Foodology Fresh

Roasted Chicken, Grape & Apricot Salad 4.2/5

I would also recommend their Roasted Chicken, Grape & Apricot Salad ($8.50) with White Wine Vinaigrette. I took a spoonful of all the ingredients, arugula, chicken, grapes and apricot together. I got the arugula's sharp herbaceous taste , the juicy chicken with a tinge of spices, the sweetness of the grapes and the tanginess of the apricot. I like how the fruits elements zest up the overall flavours which is quite refreshing.

Quinoa Salad 3.5/5

If you want something more grainy, you may want to try either the Brown Rice & Promegranate Salad or Quinoa Salad. I often have brown rice at home so to me the Quinoa Salad ($8.50) is more interesting. Both use ingredients that come with a bit of crunch and with sweet, tangy and savoury ingredients all pooled together, I find them pretty fun to eat and equally delectable.

photo credit: Foodology Fresh

Smoked Salmon & Avocado Wrap 3.8/5

There is variety of wraps of the shelf for you to choose from. I took my all-time favorite, Smoked Salmon & Avocado Wrap ($8.80). It didn't disappoint me. Though I find the wrap slightly too thick, the generous filling makes up for it. The sweet tangy honey Dijon mustard makes it really refreshing especially so when I had it straight from the chiller. I prefer this much more to their Roasted Chicken & Avocado Sandwich ($7) as I find the latter's taste slightly bland. But given the amount of chicken and avocado, I find it quite value for money.

Mushroom Soup 3.8/5

 For every Salad, Wrap or Sandwich you order, you can just top up $3 for an additional soup, muffin, or a Quiche. There are three soups to choose from, in which I had the Mushroom Soup ($5.80). I have always like mushroom soup but I find most either too creamy or too watery. Theirs is definitely one of the better ones which I have tried. The soup was loaded with mushrooms with the right amount of cream.

Spinach & Mushroom Quiche 3/5

I tried their Spinach & Mushroom Quiche ($5.80). I would prefer one with a much thicker filling, but it is still acceptable. It wasn't too creamy and has a good portion of spinach and mushroom.

photo credit: Foodology Fresh

Summerberry Yoghurt Tart 4/5

They also offer a variety of desserts and surprisingly good, considering their mains are salads and wraps. Summerberry Yoghurt Tart. I find this a perfect closing to tonight's dinner. It has a firm texture, and yet it melts readily in my mouth. The biscuit base gave it a good crunch. Almost like a non-bake cheesecake, but it is much lighter and refreshing.

Amidst the competition, I feel Foodology Fresh stands out in its own way. Its creative use of ingredients have made salads more exciting to the taste buds. It also offers delivery service around the Chinatown area. So if you happen to work at that area and rushing for time, you may want to do away with your usual delivery menu and engage their service for a change.

Written and Photography By Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. 


[CLOSED]
Foodology Fresh
URA Centre
45 Maxwell Road
#01-02
Singapore 069118
Tel: +65 62239274
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foodologyfresh
Website: http://www.foodologyfresh.sg/
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8am - 6pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk to Maxwell Road. Turn right and walk down Maxwell Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]