2025

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November

A Self Care Birthday Gift

These past few years, I learned to gift myself, treating myself to a trip somewhere to ghost and forget the grind for a little bit. I realized that trips as such reset, rejuvenate and even inspire one to press on and give a  final push toward year ending projects. This November, fur babe, Lilac, rode along to Santa Barbara. Strolling by the beach, watching the waves rolling in and out with dolphins weaving by the morning tides definitely helped re-calibrate my energy some. Lilac got all the attention she ever wanted. I got my 'me' time and fun.

Slow Food East Bay's Happy Hour at Couch Date

Slow Food East Bay had offered a chance to showcase some Fins & Feathers flavors for their November's happy hour at Couch Date (Temescal). The room was filled with the warmth of a chill crowd with good vibes. Records were spinning, libations pouring, comfort food to keep bellies of the community happy. We were moved by the support for small businesses like ours. It carried good intentions and moved us forward with renewed purpose and motivation. Peeps enjoyed the seafood tomato-tamarind (aka asam) stew and welcomed the savory bread pudding with zest. Both are definitely keepers on the menu, especially during colder seasons.

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October

Queer Joy Popup, SF

Queer Joy popup with two other Singaporean queer chefs, Emily Lim and Iyaya! We had brought popular dishes from home and also those that were inspired by flavors from Singapore to the event! It was quite a turnout from both queer and alliance communities! They came with ravenous appetites. The kitchen was action packed with the sound of pots and pans knocking, grill sizzling, soups boiling. It was filled with the aromas of the food we would get back at home. We definitely cooked our hearts out to show our appreciation!

Popup at Alta Vina, Oakland

Alta Vina popup was another fun one. One of the dishes feathered on the menu was a seafood omelette. Inspired by flavors from Singapore: octupus, ling cod and manila clams atop a lightly scrambled egg dotted and dressed with our beloved Fins & Feathers vegan sambal tumis. Definitely a hit, and a guest had actually ordered a second! 

Popup at By The Way Wine Fare, Richmond

By The Way Wine Fare. That morning started out chilly and drizzly when we heading out to The Study Winebar in Richmond. Crowd came trickling in as soon as the precipitation receded. Fellow friends,  Lunar SF, Milk Bread Bakery, Pops Creole, who were also popping up there definitely felt the love from the community. Yep all felt the ravenous appetite from the crowd. As for Fins and Feathers, we had put out countless orders of duck meatballs and arancinis! There were also mini brussels sprouts on the menu. They came from Zarate Family Farm (ZFF). Take a peek at some of the fall produce grown at ZFF in a recent trip there! More than 20 local (Californian) wine makers came with their magic pours and of course being swamped means we were only able to 'party' after the party. We postponed our own uncorking until our mission for the day was completed. We appreciate all the new friendships and support with an abundance of gratitude. Cheers!

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September

Sambal Party

Sambal tumis sauce continues to be an on-going Fins & Feathers project that seem to have gain some attention. It is one unlike any other condiments that anyone can find on the grocery shelves so far! Definitely a treasured family recipe handed down, unadulterated AND vegan. Our hope is to be able to share this condiment with many more across the Bay Area in time to come.

Popup at Alta Vina, Oakland

Those blue rice arancinis, tinted with butterfly pea flower powder, was inspired by a blue rice dish back in Singapore, Nasi Ulam. They carried flavors from home. For this popup at Alta Vina (Oakland) for their 100th day of opening, blue rice got re-interpreted into arancinis. Crispy with the double panko crusted outside and rich and creamy on the inside, filled with a savory meat center. They went well with the sambal tumis mayo. The color drew people in and the Singapore inspired flavors kept them coming back! Check out how the blue arancinis turn out! 

Sake Day 2025, SF

Sake Day 2025. Wine was the default libation many Old World and Old World trained chefs could think of for the longest time when it comes to food pairing. But having been oriented into the circles of more Asian chefs  refining their cuisines, has its charm. It broadens perspectives and knowledge on sakes and other alternative beverages from Asia. This event showcased tastings from multiple finest sakes from producers coming from Japan and also a domestic sake producer from Arkansas: Origami Sake. Some really memorable and enjoyable Japanese: IWA, Taiun, Matssura Sake and so many more. 

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August

Singapore's Birthday in SF

Singapore turned 60 this August! We were at an event organised by Singapore Consulate, SF. Fellow chef friend Emily Lim (chef owner at Dabao Singapore, SF) was actually one of the food vendors for this occasion. Being included with peeps from our beloved homeland, celebrating the birthday of Singapore, deepens the meaning of this event for us. What a wonderful way to feel home while away from home! 

Summer's Offerings by Our Farmer Friends

Farmers markets summer offerings at their best! There is never ending knowledge to be learned from our farmer friends. That's Nick from Sun Blaze Ranch. Whenever we can, we exchange and share knowledge on things growing on the farm. His curacelly, serpent and Japanese cucumbers are definitely worth trying. Come next summer, we all know whose crispy, crunchy curcubits to look out for.

Collab with Squabisch

Got into a little collab action again with Squabisch (on Solano Ave.) Beet cured salmon on their delicious and beautifully shaped torpedo pretzels. If you were in Philly some time ago and ate at High Street on Market (currently known as High Street Philly) you would find this sandwich nostalgic! It's a homage to what we had served back then! Looking forward to another collaberation with Squabisch in the near future!

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Popup at Oakland Yard Wineship, Oakland (feat. Milk Cloud Bakery)

Talk about reinterpreting a Singaporean dish with a Californian twist! The marriage of a Singaporean style oyster omelette and French toast resulting in a small garden of dressed farmers petite green atop a french toast featuring milk bread from Milk Cloud Bakery. Hidden in the salad, are lightly fried kumamoto oysters (from Monterey Fish Market) with sunny quail and regular eggs, finished with ikura. You will have to agree that this is a luxurious French toast!

Farmers Markets in the Bay Area

Shopping the farmers Markets! Yes, many have had those sweet and juicy Jersey tomatoes while living on the East Coast, but these early girl tomatoes are perfectly ripe, sweet and juicy too! Ricotta, a good olive oil, micro basil and freshly ground pepper and some flake salt. Simple and DELISH! My Asian twist if I am on a wimp, add fermented soy instead of the ricotta. Voila, it is turned into a vegan summer salad accompanied by abundance of umami notes!

July

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June

Popups . Farmers Markets . 'Cone'-quering!

Popups at Oakland Yard Wineshop, Tessier Winery. Continuing to make new friends and started a trail in search of the PERFECT SWEET & SAVORY SCOOP of ice cream! I-screammm, U-screammm, we-screammmm together! It all started at the Garden Creamery in the Mission, SF.

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May

Fête Privée . Jook Out Cook Out . Popup (feat. Squabisch)

Private Party, Jook Out Cook Out (organised by Asian Art Museum, SF with and for Asian Women's Shelter), popping up at Tessier Winery featuring torpedo pretzel rolls from Squabisch with my duck sausage!

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