Winter 2022 On Eagle's Wings

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 love and peace. 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. 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 Halloween Party. The preparation process took us an entire week – we carefully glazed the cookies, in shapes of pumpkins, ghosts and spiders, with fondant icing made from scratch and ensured that everything looked perfect. Wewere thrilled to hear that the kids loved the cookies! 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! 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

(From left to right) Chefs Elizabeth Ee, Yeni Sukowati, Teo ChewMing and Chong Kai Hoong

the Members enjoyed it as well.

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 andBakeMagazine for latest updates and ideas. 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.

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 withmy teamover 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. 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. 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! TAC: What inspires you? Chef Yeni: Inspiration comes to me in many different ways. Sometimes I TAC: How does your team exemplify the One Club, One Teammantra?

I have learned 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 is so bubbly! She spurs me on and sometimes I even forget that I’m working.

— Chef Elizabeth

4 THE AMERICAN CLUB SINGAPORE