There’s no better time to celebrate locally owned businesses than during the month of August, when we celebrate National Day. These homegrown food outlets have been a favourite with Singaporeans for years, and for good reason – they create delicious, high-quality meals, snacks and desserts with care and love.
Learn about the history of some of these beloved food brands, and don’t miss their current promotions, which include special discounts and offers for SAFRA members.
Polar Puffs & Cakes
Established in 1926, this local bakery began as Polar Cafe in a shophouse unit on High Street. In 1989, it opened its own production facility and in 1995, the business was renamed Polar Puffs and Cakes. Over the decades, it expanded across the island and picked up numerous awards for its delectable curry puffs, pastries, tarts and cakes. Its most iconic products are the Curry Puff, which is flaky and buttery and filled with savoury spicy chicken; Chicken Pie, packed with succulent chicken and veggies; and Sugar Roll, a soft, spongy treat that melts in the mouth. Singaporeans also love Polar’s celebration cakes and block cakes.
SAFRA members receive 10% off with a minimum $10 spend. More info at safra.sg/promotions/polar-puffs-cakes
Arnold’s Fried Chicken
Arnold’s Fried Chicken started as a small eatery in City Plaza more than 30 years ago. Its founders – two entrepreneurs who were on the verge of losing their jobs – wanted to offer customers fresh, tasty, value-for-money comfort food. Today, Arnold’s can be found in four other locations – Hougang, Bedok North, Jurong West, and Yishun. Its golden-fried chicken is a hit with customers, as are its fish and chips, chicken tenders, and yummy sides like waffle fries.
SAFRA members enjoy 10% off on the a la carte menu with every purchase of Milo/Sjora drinks. Find out more at safra.sg/promotions/arnolds-fried-chicken
Cat & the Fiddle
Where else can you find cheesecakes with a local twist? Think Luscious Lychee, Milo Dinosaur, Pandan Durian, and Mao Shan Wang Durian. But unique bakes are exactly what its founder, Chef Daniel Tay wanted to create when he opened Cat & The Fiddle. Chef Daniel has more than two decades of experience in the culinary industry and enjoys combining classic French pastry techniques with contemporary flavours. Cat & the Fiddle also offers timeless cheesecake flavours, like Classic New York, Oreo Cookies & Cream and Salted Caramel.
SAFRA members get 15% off selected regular-priced whole cheesecakes, or buy three to get one free sliced cheesecake. More info at safra.sg/promotions/cat-and-the-fiddle-julaug-2024
Tarte by Cheryl Koh
Cheryl Koh opened her French patisserie in 2015 under the Les Amis Group, after many years of training under world-renowned chefs in Michelin-star restaurants in Dubai, Macau and Hong Kong. Her artisanal tarts and other confections are baked from scratch every morning with the highest-quality ingredients sourced from around the world. Tarte’s Head Chef, Kelly Cheah, works alongside Cheryl to create gorgeous treats, from fruit tarts in unusual flavours like jackfruit, calamansi and guava sour plum, to cakes and quiches.
Exclusively for SAFRA members: Buy two tarts or cakes and get one free. Find out more at safra.sg/promotions/tarte-by-cheryl-koh
Jack’s Place
When Say Lip Hai arrived in Singapore from Hainan Island, he worked as a cook-boy with British troops in Sembawang. There, he learnt how to prepare traditional English roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Having tasted his meals, a British housewife suggested that Mr Say start a catering business with her husband, Jack Hunt, in his pub on Killiney Road known as Jack’s Place, which he started in 1966. Mr Say and Jack partnered in 1968, and since then, Jack’s Place has been one of Singapore’s most successful home-grown steakhouses and restaurants. The menu is wide-ranging, featuring sizzling steaks, seafood, pasta and rice dishes, and desserts.
SAFRA members receive 10% discount on your bill. More info at safra.sg/whats-on/jack’s-place
Four Seasons Durians
It started as a fresh fruit stall on Thomson Road in the early ’70s. Then, a baking instructor named Victor Chan took over the business and refocused its offerings to the durian fruit and durian-themed products. Victor then opened an outlet at Takashimaya Department Store, offering durian puffs, which soon became a favourite. Over the years, he expanded the product range to include durian pancakes, durian mochi, durian fudge cake, durian kaya, and Mao Shan Wang ice cream.
SAFRA members enjoy 25% off all items in-store and online. Find out more at safra.sg/promotions/four-seasons-durians
Fragrance Foodstuff
Founder Madam Ong established her bak kwa stall in 1969. People couldn’t get enough of the aroma of the barbecued meat, so the business was named Fragrance. Today, Madam Ong’s descendants, the Tan family, run Fragrance Foodstuff, offering high-quality products manufactured in Singapore following time-honoured recipes. Its range is made up of pork, chicken, turkey and crocodile bak kwa; pork, chicken and fish floss; sweet Chinese sausages; and tau sar piah pastries in various flavours.
SAFRA members get 15% off 150g Kurobuta Bak Kwa (U.P. $14 per packet). More info at safra.sg/promotions/fragrance-foodstuff-city-square-mall
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