Avant garde pastry chef Janice Wong mixes flavours from around the world to create her culinary art — but it’s her native Singapore that continues to inspire her most
It was the taste of a strawberry that changed everything for Janice Wong. Picking the fruit straight from the plant and popping it into her mouth, she discovered that it had earthy notes and even a little bitterness.
This revelation came when Janice visited a farm while studying economics and finance on an exchange programme at the University of Melbourne. It would turn her career around and lead her to become one of the most famous pastry chefs in the world.
It inspired her to train at top culinary school Le Cordon Bleu Paris and led to her working alongside celebrated chefs like Will Goldfarb, Oriol Balaguer, Grant Achatz, Arzal and Pierre Hermé. But ultimately it prompted Janice’s return to Singapore, the place where she was born and where she realised she wanted to share some of the flavours she’d recently grown to love.
“That strawberry had so much more than just strawberry flavours,” Janice explains. “In Singapore there’s not much farming because we’re so small, so we have to import a lot. I explored new tastes in Australia, France and other countries, and I couldn’t wait to bring them back to home. Discovery is a big part of my life. I fell in love with new experiences and I wanted to create that for my guests.”
Janice opened her first restaurant, 2am:dessert bar, aged 24. With puddings at its heart, it’s designed to be an indulgent experience. In the decade since, she’s opened shops, restaurants and bars across Southeast Asia, as well as 2am:lab, a non-profit culinary research laboratory and development space.
This story is from the October 2017 edition of National Geographic Traveller (UK).
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2017 edition of National Geographic Traveller (UK).
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
DIRECTORY
Lush Paul Valley, located at the foot of the COVA crater, is surrounded by rocky peaks, constituting one of the most spectacular landscapes of the island of Santo Antão.
CLIMBING KILIMANJARO
To summit Kilimanjaro is an expedition of a lifetime. Whether you're a seasoned mountaineer or a first-timer, there are key questions to consider before tackling the Tanzanian peak.
SEARCHING FOR BIGFOOT
TO VISIT OREGON IS TO EMBRACE THE ELEMENTAL POSSIBILITY OF BIGFOOT, THE HAIRY, HUMAN-LIKE MYTHICAL CREATURE. THE PROSPECT AND THRILL OF THE CHASE MAKES THE AREA'S THICK FORESTS, GURGLING CREEKS AND SCENIC HIKING TRAILS A TRUE WALK ON THE WILD SIDE.
FOR THE BIRDS
A visit to the Scottish Highlands offers one of the best bird- and wildlife-watching experiences in the UK, with the promise of rare encounters with unique species.
ON THE WATER
From swimming to standup paddleboarding, boating to biking, here's how to have the ultimate adventure on and around six of world's most beautiful lakes.
HOW I GOT THE SHOT
PHOTOGRAPHER MATT DUTILE ON SNAPPING THE FROZEN CONTINENT'S CHARISMATIC WILDLIFE FOR OUR MAY ISSUE
THE EVOLVING GAP YEAR
FROM ENHANCING A CV TO BENEFITTING A LOCAL COMMUNITY OR TRAVELLING WITH PURPOSE, THE MOTIVES FOR STUDENTS TO TAKE A GAP YEAR ARE INCREASINGLY NUANCED.
VALLETTA
In Malta’s harbour-framed capital, a rich and evolving art scene unfolds among honeyed baroque facades, echoing the global influences that have shaped the city over the centuries
A timeless city
Wander through artistic alleyways and along modern beachfronts in South Korea’s second city — a place where tradition and innovationgo hand in hand.
SANDS OF TIME
COVERING AROUND 800,000 SQUARE MILES, ALGERIA'S SHARE OF THE SAHARA TAKES UP OVER 80% OF THE COUNTRY - THE VOLCANIC PEAKS, CANYONS AND VAST SAND SEAS FORM A STRIKING BACKDROP TO OASIS CITIES AND UNIQUE NORTH AFRICAN CULTURES
