Violet Oon: The Feast of a Lifetime
Violet Oon, Singapore’s food ambassador since 1988, is a chef, restaurateur and food writer known for bringing the joys and flavors of Singaporean cuisine to the world.
My Shangri-La Moment: The Dawn of Shangri-La
I remember when the Shangri-La hotel opened in 1971. It really was “Shangri-la,” a tranquil oasis of a resort in the city, an amazing sight for everybody!
In the early days there were loads of bus tours from Malaysia, people from small towns coming in and walking through the lobby. What has stayed with me all these years is that Mr. Robert Kuok, the creator of Shangri-La, encouraged this. I remember him saying, “Never turn people away that want to come to your home.”
That is Asian hospitality right there. There is always something extra, always a welcoming energy. The guest comes first. Not the customer — we do not like that word — but the guest. As someone who has been in hospitality for a long time, I must say that I think Shangri-La started that whole movement of the hotel as a resort by bringing this sensibility to large hotels.
Meet the Other Singapore Hosts
Forrest Li: Connecting the Dots in Southeast Asia
Where to Find ‘From the Heart’
Shangri-La Circle
About Shangri-La
