Ever wondered how to strike the perfect balance between creativity and business acumen?

In this episode of Turn The Tables, host Debbie Yong speaks with renowned Singaporean chocolatier, pastry chef, and entrepreneur Janice Wong. Janice recounts her journey from discovering the nuances of cheese-making to creating a pastry empire with ventures such as 2am: Dessert Bar, Soft Haus, and the Pure Imagination chocolate brand. The conversation delves into her passion for education, her efforts to grow cocoa in urban Singapore, and her focus on sustainability.

Janice also discusses her inclusive leadership style, the importance of positivity and growth in her team and the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tune in to learn how she blends creative vision with practical business strategies and her hopes for nurturing community in the F&B industry.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:53 Janice's Journey into the Culinary World

03:03 Building a Pastry Empire

03:41 The Quest for Made In Singapore Chocolate

05:26 Challenges and Innovations

13:14 Leadership and Team Dynamics

16:09 Balancing Creativity and Business

21:58 Future Plans and Reflections

Don’t miss out on more inspiring stories from trailblazing female leaders in Asia's hospitality scene — visit us at www.weturnthetables.com to join our vibrant community and share your suggestions for future guests on this podcast series. Your input helps us spotlight the incredible women shaping the industry. We look forward to hearing from you!

Featured speakers:

• Janice Wong, founder of 2am: Dessert Bar, Soft Haus and Pure Imagination
• ⁠⁠Debbie Yong⁠⁠, veteran luxury lifestyle journalist and branding and communications strategist