KDF Millennium Ride 2017 – Enduring 1,000km over 4 Days for the Kidney Dialysis Foundation [CHARITY PROJECT]

Image Credit - KDF & Epic Cyclist

Come 3 – 6 March 2017, Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF) will held its annual KDF Millennium Ride 2017 for the 4^th year organised by Epic Cyclists. Over 70 cyclists will be participating in the KDF Millennium Ride and riding 1000km in four days to raise funds for the Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF).

KDF is a non-profit charitable organisation that provides subsidised dialysis treatment to needy members of our community. KDF is focused on a niche group of patients, who are from the lowest 10 per cent of the income group and referred by medical social workers from the restructured hospitals. Most of these patients – if employed - hold jobs such as cleaners, hawker assistants, store assistants and taxi drivers.

Held since 2014, the annual KDF Millennium Ride is organised by Epic Cyclists, a local cycling group, and known as one of the most physically and mentally demanding rides in the region. Cyclists will endure at least 8 hours of cycling to complete a distance of 250km each day through various types of terrain and weather conditions from Malaysia to Singapore.

“The big challenge for this year is climbing equivalent of one Mount Everest in first 2 days of our ride over 470km. Challenges even for a pro-cyclist, but these are ordinary people making a commitment to do such a daunting task. The hours and the mileage each cyclist got to put in prior to the 4 Days is extensive. However, the obstacles our cyclists will encounter cannot be compared to the adversity dialysis patients go through daily. It is heartening to witness our cyclists putting in the effort to help raise funds for a good cause,” said Mr Clifford Lee, founder of Epic Cyclist.

In 2016, A total of S$590,634.53 was raised through KDF Millennium Ride this year after the 40% matching by the Community Silver Trust Funds at 40%.This year, Epic Cyclist hopes to raise at least $300,000 in 2017 for the less fortunate who requires dialysis treatment.

This year, will be the 2^nd year Chubby Botak Koala and Little Devil will volunteer as Safety Drivers to somewhat contribute to the welfare of the Epic Cyclists. With this, we hope that to raise more awareness and share the passion and mission of helping KDF patients.

All proceeds from the donations will be channelled to needy kidney patients under the care of Kidney Dialysis Foundation. Members of the public can donate via this link at https://www.giving.sg/kidney-dialysis-foundation/mride17.

Thank you very much for your generous contributions and support. Please pray for us for the success of this event.

Kidney Dialysis Foundation

Blk 333 Kreta Ayer Road

#03-33.

Singapore 080333

T: +65 6559 2630 (For Enquiries)

W: http://www.kdf.org.sg/

E: Enquiries@kdf.org.sg

F: https://www.facebook.com/KDFsg/

Epic Cyclist

F: https://www.facebook.com/the.epic.ride

Tai Cheong Bakery – Original Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng

Tai Cheong Bakery

Tai Cheong Bakery is one of the most popular Egg Tart shops in Hong Kong. It is one of a must-try cafe where you are on a Food Pilgrimage trip in Hong Kong. Luckily with more than a dozen branches in HK, it is not difficult to get the yummy egg tart.

The best news is that now we do not have to travel so far to try these yummy egg tarts, as Tai Cheong Bakery has opened its first cha chaan teng in Holland Village, Singapore due to the overwhelming response to its Takashimaya counter and other pop-up stores. The arrival of Tai Cheong Bakery in Singapore is a collaboration between Food People (a subsidiary of Palm Beach Group) and Tao Heung Group (Owner of Tai Cheong Bakery).

Three Egg Macaroni Soup with Luncheon Meat

Egg Tart ($1.90). The crust is crisp, buttery and did not crumble easily. The egg custard has a solid jelly-like texture, mild egg flavour with a touch of sweetness. It is well balanced, and it is likely people can eat more than one without any problem.

Egg Tart

SBCD Korean Tofu House – Healthy Delicious Soontofu & Galbi [MEDIA INVITE]

SBCD Korean Tofu House

SBCD Korean Tofu House ('SBCD') is the latest healthy and hearty Korean restaurant that enter the Singapore dining scene. It specialises in a variety of Korean soontofu soup, where the word “soon” in soontofu mean soft.

The Menu

In the 1970s, Korean soft tofu soup has been regarded as daily comfort staple in Korea. The letter BCD is the abbreviation of Bukchang Dong, a city in Korea where this dish gains its popularity. With migration, the dish even became very popular in K-Town Los Angeles.

Part of the Dining Area

Every soontofu at SBCD is handmade fresh daily in the restaurant, using the soy beans imported from Korean. It has a texture close to Japanese silken tofu, but it retains the custard feel to it. This freshly made tofu will be the base for most dishes in SBCD.

Hot Stone Rice

The Soontofus Cooking

First Time Buyer Dilemma — New Executive Condo or HDB BTO [ADVERTORIAL]

Singapore property buyers or investors do not have the luxury of shopping for landed properties especially when those properties are way beyond reach. With that, first-time buyers are leaning towards buying build-to-own (BTO) HDB flats or executive condominium (EC) in Singapore. A BTO HDB flat might be a more prudent choice but many Singaporeans are aspiring toward an executive condominium. Before jumping on the bandwagon of those buying an Executive condo or believing at face value that the HDB flats are poorly made and are of low quality, you should see the deep features of both.

Executive Condominiums

EC is a hybrid of public and private housing first introduced in 1994. Built by private developers and with high-quality material, subsidized by the government and can only become private after ten years. An EC is a full suite condo that comes with amenities such as pool, gym, barbeque pits and other facilities you would expect of a private development.

Main difference between BTO HDB flats and EC is that ECs become fully privatized after 10 years. Like other forms of private property, they are opened to be sold even to foreigners or organizations.

Built-to-order (BTO) HDB Flats

BTO HDB flats are first introduced in Singapore in 2001. It is a flat allocation system developed by the Housing and Development Board. Compared to other HDB flats, these are flexible in location and timing. You can apply for an apartment depending on your desired location and when you want to start using the house. Construction of BTO only begins once the applicants reach a minimum of 70% in number.

Both BTO flat and EC are considered as affordable public housing but there are some clear differences when it comes to housing plans, loans, resale profit and finishes or facilities.

Australian Tea Masters Singapore x Kite – Epicurean Tea Pairing [MEDIA INVITE]

Australian Tea Masters x Kite - Epicurean Tea Pairing

In January 2017, I was honoured to be invited for Epicurean Tea Pairing event organised by Australian Tea Masters Singapore and Kite. While the food pairing of Wine, Beer, Whiskey with food has been a common theme, this is actually the first time I heard about Tea with Food pairing. It was indeed a palate opener.

Selections of Tea Leaves

Australian Tea Masters is a well respected tea training and blending organisation in Australia. It was established in 2012, and officially launched its Singapore operation this year. Sharyn Johnston is the CEO and Founder of Australian Tea Masters and she is developer of the Tea Sommelier Course. Julie Wang is the Certified Tea Master and Training Director for its Singapore operations which include professional tea training, tea & food pairing events, tea business advisory and blending service in Singapore.

Official Tea Aroma Wheel

During a high tea session or cafe session, we will normally consume or nurse only one type of tea in one seating. However, during this tasting, we did a six course of Food & Tea pairing, and it is based on each individual dish.

The Tea Apparatus 

We started with snack of Chicken Rice Cracker x Five Hour Cold Brew Taiwanese Oriental Beauty (Single Origin Green Tea). A refreshing chilled tea to quench our thirst during a hot day. The floral aroma in the tea nicely balance the salty and spicy crispy chicken rice cracker.

Five Hour Cold Brew Taiwanese Oriental Beauty (Single Origin Green Tea)

Chicken Rice Cracker

The Peranakan – High Tea set & Yee Sang Istimewa [MEDIA INVITE]

We are back at The Peranakan to experience The Peranakan High Tea Set ($28 / pax). This set combines the savoury and sweet dishes from the regular menu. In total there will be up to to 14 dishes in the high tea set with a choice of drink that include a pot of Malacca Tea, Coffee, Lemongrass Tea or Pandan Tea.

The Peranakan High Tea Set

The highlights of our high tea session are:

The signature Mee Siam is definitely a must try. Although I am not a mee siam fan, I can recognise the version here is very solid. It is filled with spices and has the right balance of spiciness and tanginess that will open up your appetite to go about the rest of the dishes. Best to consume it when it's hot.

High Tea Mee Siam

Nasi Ulam Istimewa was one of my favourite dish during our last visit and it remain the same. (Check out the full review from our last visit here). The Satay Babi Sum Chan got an upgrade here, where it is wrapped in buns. The portion of the meat and bun is perfect fit. The satay gravy is well-absorbed by the soft pillowy white bun, plus the pork belly just melts in your mouth.

Nasi Ulam Istimewa (Left), Satay Babi Sum Chan (Top)

Kueh Pie Ti was served earlier as snacks, but it is normally part of high tea. Crispy cup filled with well braised turnip and condiments. You have the option to add the chilli, but I give it a miss.

Kueh Pie Ti

For the sweet stuff, Pulot Inti Durian & Pulot Inti Kelapa remain my favourites. The combination of glutinous rice with the richness of coconut milk and fillings never fails to entice my appetite. The durian paste here is velvety and smooth, without being ridiculously pungent.

Pulot Inti Durian (Left), Satay Babi Sum Chan (Right)

The Toast and Durian paste also will give you another shot to fulfill your durian cravings.

Completing the offerings for high tea are Toast Hay Bee Hiam, Ngoh Hiang Pork, Pisang Goreng, Kuih Kosui (Kueh Ko Swee), Pineapple Tart and Love Letter. Please note that the menu on the high tea will be rotated daily.

In case you are wondering if the portion is definitely sufficient as we all struggle to finish all the food. Portion for 6 pax and there are six of us.

The Peranakan High Tea Set

Availability: Daily from 11.00 – 17.30

Price : $24++ Weekday; $28++ Weekend per pax (min of 2 pax required)

Ah Seng Braised Duck Rice – Enjoyable Braised Duck

Ah Seng Braised Duck Rice

One of the places to go for my quick meal is Serangoon Garden Market. Reasons being that parking is a breeze and the standards of the stalls here is just above average.

Recently, I keep returning to Ah Seng Braised Duck Rice ('Ah Seng'), the one near the Bakery for lunch. It is also one of the stall that always have a queue. A quick research before writing this review, divulge that Ah Seng has been around from more than 20 years. So some of the regulars have been eating the braised duck since their childhood (including my wife). Amazing.

The Braised Duck

So what is good here. Of course the braised duck (One person serving with rice from $3.50). Braised in superior soya sauce, the braising gravy has a water consistency instead of thick gooey version. In short, Ah Seng follow the Teochew style of braised duck. The duck is well braised as you can feel the soya sauce infused in the meat. It is also lean and meaty, almost absent of any fats. Those who like their duck plump and juicy, this might not be the version for you.

Serving for One plus Pig's Ear and Tongue

Normally, I will order the braised pork belly ($2/3/4) with my duck. Like the duck, the pork belly can be consider lean however it remain tender and succulent. For me, the braised pork belly is to offset the duck meat that is devoid of fats.

Serving for One plus Braised Pork Belly