From concept to creation: Naksha’s Singapore Collection in partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board and world-renowned chef Haikal Johari
Don't miss out on the Naksha x Spinneys competition. More details at the bottom of the page
Spinneys Local Business Incubator 2020 winners Naksha launched their latest gourmet recipe kits, the Singapore Collection, in Spinneys and Waitrose stores after a successful Expo 2020 event in January.
A collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and chef of Michelin-star restaurant, Alma, chef Haikal Johari, the collection celebrates traditional Singaporean fare and serves as a window to its vibrant culinary heritage. "The recipes have Malay, Indonesian and Indian influences," says Naksha co-founder, Nisha Ramisetty. "People will get to experience Singapore's eclectic cuisine in all three recipes."
ABOUT THE SINGAPORE COLLECTION
Each kit makes two portions with options for meat-eaters and vegans and comes with pre-measured ingredients and step-by-step instructions.
Ngoh Hiang: a staple in Singapore's street food scene, these summer rolls are filled with a meat or veg mixture, baked until crispy and served with a dipping sauce of choice. Naksha's version of the dish uses rice paper.
Asam Pedas: a Southeast Asian dish with nautical influence, Asam Pedas is a stew with sour and spicy flavours and fragrant lemongrass notes. Typically served with seafood, it is equally as delicious prepared with mushrooms for a plant-based version.
Lemak Cili Padi: Lemak Cili Padi is a creamy and spicy Malay-style coconut curry prepared with turmeric, lime leaves and chicken over rice noodles. The recipe can be made vegan by replacing the chicken with aubergines.
BEHIND THE COLLAB
When a member of the UAE-based STB team spotted one of Naksha's eye-catching kits in the supermarket aisle, they saw it as an opportunity to collaborate with the local food start-up as part of the SingapoReimagine campaign. The latter aims to bring together homegrown and international communities to revive tourism and build momentum for future travel to the country.
Having fallen in love with Singapore's rich history, eclectic culinary influences and colourful landscapes during their travels, it was the obvious next step for Nisha and her business partner Sam Williams; the Far East was always “something we wanted to do next".
To bring the vision to life, the start-up teamed up with STB Middle East Area Director Beverly Au Yong. She introduced them to Singapore-based chef, Haikal Johari, whom she saw as the ideal partner for the project.
From left to right: Chef Haikal Johari, Beverly Au Yong, Nisha Ramisetty
Chef Haikal's internationally renowned culinary career and inspiring story of overcoming a life-changing accident in 2015 represent what Singapore is about. “Singaporeans are tenacious, passionate and resilient,” says Beverly. “Chef Haikal is the epitome of those qualities.”
What's more, the chef had always wanted people to be able to recreate his recipes at home. "[The project] surprisingly fell into my lap when STB approached me to partner with Naksha," he says. "People now want convenience and practicality. A [recipe] kit like Naksha's is much more accessible to people."
"His story and background are fascinating and bring heart into the project. He’s brilliant, very humble and lovely." - Nisha Ramisetty.
BEHIND THE RECIPES
Ingenuity played a big part in creating the collection, whereby the collaborators relied on technology to work together from different parts of the world; from Singapore, Chef Haikal brought his culinary expertise and Asian influences to crafting the recipes, whereas Nisha and Beverly taste-tested the different flavour combinations on-ground in Dubai.
"I hope that the recipes we came up with will make everyone happy." - Chef Haikal.
To ensure the recipe kits were retail-friendly and consistent in quality, the collaborators focused on simplifying their initial "wild and wacky" ideas while preserving the authenticity of Singaporean recipes.
This meant replacing certain ingredients with more shelf-stable alternatives, like the rice paper found in Ngoh Hiang. "Traditionally, people make [it] with dried beancurd skin, but it's brittle and would easily break inside the kits," explains Nisha.
Fast-forward many months and out comes a beautifully crafted collection “created by a UAE start-up in partnership with the STB, with recipes developed by a decorated Singaporean chef and packaging designed by a prominent Singaporean artist”.
"We want people to experience travel through the lens of food." - Nisha Ramisetty.
BEHIND THE ART
They say you eat with your eyes first – and that's what you'll do when you feast your eyes on the Singapore Collection's captivating package design, courtesy of Singaporean artist Tan Zi Xi, known as @messymsxi. Her quirky and bright hand-drawn artwork captures the island nation's spirit, with each kit depicting a quintessential part of the country's makeup.
The more you look, the more you find in the kits’ intricate designs. From the country's buzzing Hawker centres and lush botanic gardens to its official mascot, the Merlion, traditional bumboats and Peranakan tiles, the packaging is a treasure trove of Singaporean heritage.
"I'm very proud of the art; it showcases how we came and how we've become." - Beverly Au Yong.
COMPETITION ALERT: From 7 March to 21 March
How it works:
- Buy any Naksha recipe kit from participating Spinneys and Waitrose stores*
- Find one of five golden tickets inside the kits
- Claim your prize following the instructions on the ticket
Prizes (golden ticket holders will avail all 4 prizes):
- A cooking masterclass with a star chef
- Exclusive Singaporean designer crockery
- Three extraordinary recipe kits inspired by Singapore
- Exclusive 'Made with Passion' Singaporean goodies
*Participating stores:
- Spinneys Umm Suqueim
- Spinneys Mercato
- Waitrose Al Thania
- Waitrose Motor City
- Waitrose Dubai Mall
- Waitrose Marina Mall
- Waitrose Nakheel Mall
- Waitrose Al Maryah Central Abu Dhabi
