Chef Yeni Personality Feature Article
This personality feature article was written as part of my industry immersion programme with The American Club. I was tasked to write a personality piece of the Head Pastry Chef of the club, Chef Yeni. Furthermore, I had to come up with interview questions and host an interview with Chef Yeni to gather relevant insights for the article.
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This article was published in the club's Winter 2022 Magazine.
Team Member Spotlight
Chef Yeni & Team Working Magic in the Pastry Kitchen
The American Club speaks to our talented Pastry Chef, Yeni Sukowati, and discovers what it takes to run the pastry show for the upcoming festive season.
Chef Yeni Sukowati PHOTO: Marvel Chiam
Sprinkling joy wherever she goes is Chef Yeni’s way of life. Having worked for the Club for 11 years now, Chef Yeni finds immense gratification in serving up delectable pastries and desserts that delight Members. With the help of her Pastry team, she has headlined the pastry show of numerous events at the Club, including the festive and summer seasons, and fulfilled numerous customized Member orders for parties, corporate events and gifts. Spreading the holiday cheer every festive season – her favorite time of the year – lights up a bright smile on her face, even though this period is also the busiest.
Chef Yeni’s culinary journey began when she completed her internship for a bachelor’s degree in hospitality at The Sentosa Resort and Spa (now known as Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa). She was instantly smitten by the exquisitely presented pastries that the pastry chefs had worked so hard to create. After graduating with a Diploma in Pastry & Baking at Singapore Hotel and Tourism Education Center (SHATEC), Chef Yeni made her first venture into the world of pastry and was exposed to a wide variety of cakes, pastries, and desserts. From then on, she discovered her passion while finding it a great joy to work her culinary magic for special occasions and holidays.
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TAC: What are you looking forward to the most this festive season?
Chef Yeni: Every festive season is a time for family bonding, renewing friendships and the exchanging of gifts, which brings me peace and hope.
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TAC: What is your favorite festive pastry?
Chef Yeni: I would say Pumpkin Pie. When we start the preparations for Pumpkin Pie, it is like a sign that the festive season is fast approaching. It’s a pastry that we only create once a year and is well-loved by many Members.
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TAC: What is the most memorable pastry that you have prepared for a Member?
Chef Yeni: We had a bulk order of 5,000 pieces of customized cookies, which had to be hand-drawn individually and wrapped, for a large-scale birthday party for one of our Members’ sons. The preparation process took us an entire week – we carefully glazed the cookies with blue fondant icing made from scratch and ensured that everything looked perfect. We were thrilled to hear that the birthday boy and his friends loved the cookies!
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TAC: How are you and your team preparing for the upcoming festive season at the Club?
Chef Yeni: We start preparing for the festive season as early as August. This includes reviewing and analyzing Members’ likes and dislikes, researching market trends, then brainstorming for creative ideas and finally, developing a festive-themed pastry and cake collection. We try to do things differently each year to keep things fresh for Members!
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TAC: What is the most memorable experience that you and your team had while working in the Club?
Chef Yeni: Definitely, the circuit breaker in 2020, as during this period, we were not only chefs but we became virtual celebrity chefs! We organized baking videos and classes, which was nerve-racking as it was our first time venturing into this. At the end of the day, we had lots of fun and I think that the Members enjoyed it as well.
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TAC: What do you enjoy most about working with your talented Pastry team?
Chef Yeni: It would be the bonds of friendship and understanding that I have developed with my team over the years. Even when it gets hectic in the kitchen, my Team Members continue providing me with tremendous support and working together to achieve our daily tasks and goals.
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TAC: How does your team exemplify the One Club, One Team mantra?
Chef Yeni: Although we may be from the Pastry team, you will often see us assisting in other areas of the kitchen and sometimes even the F&B Service or front-of-the-house team. There are no divisions between departments – as long as you have The American Club eagle on your uniform, you are part of the team and the Club.
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TAC: What do you do outside of work?
Chef Yeni: During my free time, I love to catch up with my friends over a meal, and on Sundays, I go to church. Swimming is one of my hobbies, and as silly as it may sound, I love ensuring that I complete all my housework so I can check it off my to-do list!
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TAC: What inspires you?
Chef Yeni: Inspiration comes to me in many different ways. Sometimes I gaze at the beautiful sky and admire the clouds or at other times, I like to bask in nature. These moments tend to spark an idea in my mind and I try to incorporate them into my recipes. I also enjoy checking out Pastry Arts Magazine and Bake Magazine for latest updates and ideas.
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TAC: What are the traits that you display as the leader of the Pastry team?
Chef Yeni: Respect and trust. Showing my Team Members respect and trusting them empowers them to do their job and perform well. I also take the time to listen to their concerns and feedback. I try my best to guide them however I can.
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Left to right: Chefs Elizabeth Ee, Yeni Sukowati, Teo Chew Ming and Chong Kai Hoong
PHOTO: Marvel Chiam
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“I have learnt a lot from Chef Yeni. She’s incredibly generous at sharing her knowledge and encourages me to express my creativity!”
— Chef Kai Hoong
“Chef Yeni’s laughter is infectious! She spurs me on and sometimes I even forget that I’m working.”
— Chef Elizabeth
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Article featured in the Winter 2022 Magazine:
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This Project was done in collaboration with Republic Polytechnic's Diploma in Mass Communication and Singapore Art Week (SAW) to promote SAW 2021.
The soft news article below about the National Gallery Singapore and Singapore Art Week 2021 was written by me as part of the deliverables for this project.
Light to Night, the beautiful display of vibrant lights at the National Gallery Singapore, was one of the main factors that drew people into the gallery.
CAPTION AND PHOTO: Marvel Chiam
National Gallery Singapore Manages to Reel In Visitors Despite the Pandemic
By Marvel Chiam Jiaqi
Singapore Art Week (SAW) 2021 at the National Gallery Singapore lacked international artists at its exhibitions this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and enhanced safety measures, however, it still managed to attract a substantial number of visitors to the event.
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SAW is the vertex of Singapore’s visual arts scene and this year’s event is the ninth edition which ran from 22 to 30 January 2021. This spectacular season of visual arts celebrates the unity of our diverse local artists. Sticking to the theme of “Art Takes Over”, SAW 2021 will showcase over a hundred arts events spanning both physical and digital platforms. It features recent works, multi-national collaborations, and virtual art experiences.
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Although this year’s SAW did not manage to feature any overseas acts or artists. Many of the artworks featured were by local artists such as, ‘(Re)rooting’ by homegrown artist Joanne Ho. Her work was designed using machine learning frameworks and will adorn the entire facade of the National Gallery.
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Ms. Lisa Chua, a gallery host for SAW 2021, felt that the most noticeable differences with this year’s event are due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She continued by saying that there were many exhibitions that you could not physically touch, making it considerably scaled back compared to previous years.
“The overall festival feel of the event is very dampened,” said Ms. Chua.
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Although there may not be many overseas acts this year, there seems to be a silver lining to it: a platform for homegrown artists and talents to shine brighter. The growing situation of COVID-19 has allowed local artists to show visitors that they are able to produce a meaningful event locally despite the many restrictions.
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Ms. Chua also specially thanked the organizers for having done a great job in putting the art into “perspective and context”.
Feature Article of Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club
This feature article was written as part of my industry immersion programme with The American Club. I was tasked to write a feature article of the Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club which is part of the reciprocal club programme associated with The American Club.
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This article will be published in The American Club's Spring Magazine 2023 where it will be available for the members of the club to view and read.
Reciprocal Club Feature: Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club
A look into the Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club - a prestigious golf club accessible to The American Club Members
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Exterior of Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club PHOTO: Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club
Situated in Melbourne’s renowned Sandbelt golf region, the Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club is home to two championship golf courses ranked in the top 20 in Australia. The club prides itself on its inclusive and friendly membership to go along with its world-class facilities.
In addition to their magnificent golf courses, their brand-new facilities include luxurious accommodations, cutting-edge practice facilities, a 25-meter indoor pool, a gymnasium, tennis courts, a bowling green, and a games room. The club is also a popular choice among the locals for hosting corporate golf tournaments, weddings, events, and conferences.
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Aerial view of the expansive North Golf Course PHOTO: Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club
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Aerial view of the expansive South Golf Course PHOTO: Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club
Peninsula Kingswood was established by the union of two reputable clubs, each founded over a century ago. After extensive renovations and the addition of accommodations, dining, and recreational amenities, the state-of-the-art Peninsula Kingswood has cemented its status as a top-tier establishment that is on par with the best in the world.
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Luxury accommodation at the Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club
PHOTO: Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club
Peninsula Kingswood also provides a plethora of luxurious accommodation options and non-golf facilities. The club features eight lavishly designed guest rooms. For more than 40 years, countless guests have stayed at the country club and enjoyed it as their home away from home.
Furthermore, palatial on-course villas are situated individually around the compound. The villas boast sizable living areas and an upper deck with stunning views of the golf courses and nature.
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Dining Hall PHOTO: Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club
Apart from its golf courses and accommodations, Peninsula Kingswood is also renowned for its exceptional dining experience and vast wine list. The various wineries of the Mornington Peninsula are tucked away behind the golf courses and are the perfect growing lands for cool-climate grapes.
If you’re planning for a vacation down under soon, approach any of our friendly concierge staff to obtain a Letter of Introduction to visit the Peninsula Kingswood Country Golf Club.
