A Common Thread

Family, food and fashion—meet one of Singapore’s notable clans to discover the different ties that bind.

- Gerald Tan

Violet Oon is a picture of bliss. After all, why wouldn’t she be? Over the course of a career that has spanned more than five decades, the journalist-turned-chef has established herself as the grand dame of Singapore’s food scene who is also the leading authority on Peranakan cuisine. In 2012, Oon’s two enterprising offspring, Tay Su-Lyn and Tay Yiming, decided to join her on the culinary journey. “My children felt there was an important heritage to share, be it in the flavours, taste or textures,” Oon says. “Most Asian families don’t write their recipes. It’s sad if all was lost. It was a quest against time.”