Pure magic

There’s something magical stirring in Universal Studios Singapore, in the land of Far Far Away. Inside a fantastical store called the Fairy Godmother Potion shop, Princess Fiona’s fairy godmother (if you remember her, she’s the rotund, bespectacled flying ‘witch’ in disguise who’s actually Charming’s mother) is bottling magical elixirs out of an enormous tank.

Step inside this store and you’ll find wooden beams, brick walls, huge doorways and Shrek characters welcoming you as you enter. The space is bound to draw you into the mystical world of Shrek, where fantastical characters come to life: donkeys shoot their mouths off and ogres are actually friendly.

A rendering of the interior of the store

I was awestruck when I saw the store, which is complete and has been fitted out. There are three things you can do there: there’s a retail shop for you to bring home your memories of the park, a counter where ‘potions’ aka fresh juices would be sold and a ferris-wheel kiddies can ride while their parents shop or get a breather. How awesome is that?

At the Fairy Godmother Potion Shop, you’ll find all things Shrek! Personally, I’m in love with Gingy, the gingerbread man but I absolutely love the huge variety of Shrek plush toys, character caps, photo frames and lots, lots more! (Note to fellow fans of Gingy, you HAVE TO look out for the stuffed confectionery character on the shelves, it’s simply a sweetheart! Get the pun?)

At the drinks stand (called Fairy Godmother’s Potion Factory) where fresh juices are served, the best thirst quenchers for anyone are served. Rejuvenating and healthy, the little ones would love it too. The most wondrous thing is that you can ‘brew’ any concoction you desire, and this is limited only by your imagination.

A youth 'elixir' made of beetroot, strawberry and apple juice -- let your imagination run wild as you come up with your own potions!

Last but not least, the Magic Potion Spin ride would delight the tykes who’re ever eager to hop on another attraction. Offering the rider a bird’s eye view of the hustle and bustle in the shop, the ferris wheel will allow its passengers a chance to catch the fun and whimsical atmosphere.

Honestly, words and pictures can’t capture the magic you will experience as you will be transported into another world when you set foot into the store. So I shan’t deliberate because I know you’ll come. You know you want to!

See you soon in 2010!

Exclusive treats in Universal Studios® Singapore

What’s a world-class theme park without food? A situation like this would probably leave tonnes of unhappy guests, famished and frustrated. That’s why Universal Studios® Singapore has a wide selection of dining outlets and food carts designed to complement your theme park experience.

Other than our theme dining restaurants like Mel’s Drive-In, KT’s Grill, Hollywood China Bistro and Celebrity Café & Bakery, you’ll see lots of distinctive food carts dotting the various zones and parked outside certain rides or attractions to satisfy your every craving.

However, be warned if you’re watching the scales, because we’ll be serving wicked snacks to whet your appetite for once you start, you can’t stop!

Of these eye-catching food carts I’d mentioned previously, one which stands out is the popcorn cart, which will be selling an assortment of uniquely-flavored popcorn with flavors like green apple, grape, and lots of others. Personally, I’m looking forward to tasting the churros (Spanish fried dough) from the churros cart, which will be out of this world because they are filled with yummy, velvety chocolate!

Imagine the dark, molten chocolate oozing out of the churro as you take your first bite into the hot confectionery. Yum! I know I’ll be on cloud nine, that’s for sure!

If  savories are more your thing,  sink your teeth into roti-prata wrapped sausages which promise to change your perception of how the local Indian favourite dish should be served. Also, be sure to stop by the pretzel food cart because you’ll live to regret it if you don’t grab one of the mouth-watering cheese-filled pretzels available. Buy a round for your friends and family. I can guarantee that they would be delighted with this treat.

For light snacks, we’ll also have rice-crispy bars, something to keep the kids happy and not be overfed for more exciting rides and adventure for the entire day!

Last but never least, if you’ve never tried turkey legs, I must exhort you not to leave Universal Studios Singapore without trying one, because it’s a truly divine dining experience that tops my snack list anytime. Once you’ve tasted it, nothing else ever comes close.

We’re looking forward to welcoming you with open arms really soon. Think turkey drumsticks. Think churros. Get ready your appetite because you’ll need it. Trust us.

Rock-n-Roll, Jukebox and Frosty Shakes!

I’m a huge fan of the 1950s retro age of classic American diners and the always appealing cheeseburgers and fries synonymous with the Greenback nation. And you can get this and more at Mel's Drive-In in Universal Studios Singapore, which combines great food with a great atmosphere, encapsulating the rock-n-roll fad that took the world by storm in the cult movie Grease, and marking an era in old world America where gaudy flared skirts and body-hugging shirts were all the rage.

Singapore probably has some decent-looking eateries replicating the classic American diner experience, but nothing comes close to the real deal—which is why if you’re a fan of jukeboxes, twisting to the tunes of Elvis Presley, the first-ever and probably last King of Rock’n’Roll, creamy yummy-licious milkshakes and melting cheeseburgers, Mel’s Drive-In in Universal Studios Singapore would be a dream come true (and you don’t have to burn to a hole in your pocket for a plane ticket just to try out these authentic flavors).

Featuring bright neon lights, classic black-and-white checkered tiled flooring, booth seating upholstered in synthetic leather, a long bar counter with a whole line of high bar stools, good old fashioned chrome-plated, padded dining chairs and tables, lots and lots of stainless steel furnishings and a bevy of classic automobiles parked outside the premise, that’s the 1950s look of Mel’s Drive-In in a nutshell.

For nibbles, hearty meals and the ultimate indulgence, look forward to a whole selection of irresistible juicy burgers and fries, chicken sandwiches, piping-hot chicken fingers, crispy onion rings, authentic root beer floats, frosty milkshakes and the list goes on!

What’s more, when you dine, you’ll be entertained by a motley crew of swinging a capella singers and you can join in too, in the song and dance.

The atmosphere would be bright, cheery, and no doubt stylish and sleek. If you want to experience how it was like on the movie set of Grease and immerse in the nostalgia of the rock-n-roll era, Mel’s Drive-In is THE place for you to start. So put on your blue suede shoes, practise your killer moves to get ready to rock the building and grab some juicy burgers along the way!

Mel’s Drive-In, which is located inside Universal Studios Singapore, Southeast Asia’s first and only Universal Studios theme park, is slated to open in the first quarter of 2010, as is Resorts World Sentosa.

Hollywood, Here I Come!

Just last week when I was on my way to work, I saw the Far Far Away castle, or for fans of the DreamWorks animation, the name of the castle is the ‘First Castle from the World of Shrek’.

It’s being built at an unbelievable speed; other than the highest turret which has been erected (measuring some 42.5m in height), the main facade is also almost completed.

For a moment, I felt like a child again, looking at the majestic castle and wondering what it beholds. Then it occurred to me that this is a part of my (world’s first) ‘office’, considering I’ll be conducting work at some point in time in the castle, be it showing the media around or talking shop with my Universal Studios Singapore colleagues. I can’t believe we’re almost coming to the end of the rainbow to find the pot of gold!

A mock-up of the ginormous lettering, which will greet visitors to Sentosa Island. This has been put out in the sun some weeks back to test the weather fastness of the paint.

The other exciting development for me is actually the constructing of the larger-than-life-sized alphabets that spell ‘Sentosa’ at the entrance of the island, which will be among the first things greeting guests when they commute to Resorts World Sentosa. The letters are humungous and I’ve seen them at the current construction site, waiting to be transported to their new home. Imagine—instead of the famous Hollywood sign that has become emblematic of the playground of the rich and the famous in Los Angeles, we’ll all be seeing ‘Sentosa’ standing proudly on our own Sentosa hill, and that’ll be another unforgettable sight to behold.

And now to continue where I left off at my previous entry, I’ll fill you in on more of Universal Studios Singapore’s exciting food offerings. Other than the 12 dining outlets, of which six are Halal certified for our muslim guests (i.e. Mel’s Drive-In, Friar’s, Goldilocks, Celebrity Café & Bakery, Oasis Spice Café and Gloria’s Snack Shack) and the many vegetarian options to cater to the diets of lacto-vegetarians, strict vegans and fruitarians alike, we also have innovatively-themed food carts too — and you heard it here first!

The Pops! food cart... with loads of popped delights

Instead of your usual run-of-the-mill food kiosks, some of these amazing 500-metre long fanciful food carts are actually fabricated out of automobiles and will be stationed at the respective zones of the park. They are extremely eye-catching and were creatively designed to reflect the food they serve. Like for the Pops! food cart shown in the photograph below, naturally, it spells popcorn! But not just any salted caramel or sweet-buttered popcorn, there’ll be flavours out of this world that you’ve never tried before.

In addition to this one, there’ll be a motley crew of others with quirky names like Tail of the Pup selling hot dogs and sausages; Curry Up! selling Indian pratas; Gingy’s House of Sweets selling special candy apples and Little Red’s selling smoked giant turkey legs and yummy savoury pies.

As for drinks, grab special arctic blast frozen drinks from the Antarctic Refreshments food cart and for some indulgence, sink your teeth into the extremely sinful, but mouth-watering churros first to hit Singapore, from The Churro Station food cart. Are you drooling yet?

I can already hear my tummy rumbling so while I go settle my hunger pangs, I’ll leave you to rummage your refrigerator. Expect more photos when we’re ready to release them, and so until my next entry, eat well and sleep well because you are what you eat!

Let’s Ride The Movies!!!

Fans of Resorts World Sentosa are really enthusiastic. They’ve been blogging, commenting, scribbling on our walls (i.e. on Facebook), capturing our every progress on film and basically charting our milestones to share with the rest of the world.

Hence, here’s a note to thank you for all the support, because your enthusiasm and excitement are what’s driving us here in Resorts World Sentosa. And we hope we haven’t been disappointing you as we have been diligently disseminating the latest news to the media and public about our astounding progress, so you can revel in our exhilaration as well.

This is especially after yesterday’s press conference where we unveiled the highly-anticipated Universal Studios Singapore in all its glory, and showed the world the long-awaited interactive park map (click http://www.rwsentosa.com/USS_map_Eng/en_map-uss.html), which caused local and foreign journalists alike to have flutters in their tummies.

During the press conference, we screened a short video hosted by famous Hollywood director Steven Spielberg, describing how you can experience for yourself a ferocious category 5 hurricane rip a city apart, as this is recreated in a special effects theatre called Lights! Camera! Action!, which is one of the key attractions in the Hollywood zone (one of seven zones) in Universal Studios Singapore.

In addition, we’ll also be inviting big names to host their shows at Stage 28 (also housed in Hollywood zone), where you can get behind the scenes and experience real time film production in a fully out-fitted world-class sound stage.
After the press conference, it was time to bask in the sun as several dozen journalists got the chance of a lifetime to visit the theme park before we officially open next year.

The lucky journalists and cameramen were also treated to a sneak peek of the spectacular WaterWorld live show that is based on the blockbuster hit WaterWorld starring Kevin Costner as the stuntmen zipped about on their watercraft, going through the paces.

We also took a jaunt down to the Oasis Spice Café™ which is one of the larger dining outlets to host big groups and families. It is within the Ancient Egypt zone (which is my one of my favourite zones because I’m a fan of the movie Revenge of the Mummy) and it serves Halal buffeteria style Mediterranean, Indian and Malay food, which caters to the diets of vegans and meat-lovers alike. This is one of the six Halal-certified dining outlets in Universal Studios Singapore, in addition to Mel’s Drive-In, Friar’s, Goldilocks, Celebrity Café & Bakery, and Gloria’s Snack Shack.

After about more than an hour’s walk, the media took their last few photos and remarked they could already envisage the awesome-ness of the park coming into place. Actually, a few of my colleagues and I toured the park last week (and it was my first visit) and comparing the progress with what I saw yesterday, I must highly commend all the workers for the work they’ve done at such incredulous speed.

A recap of my first impressions of the park: walking around and checking out the dining outlets was kind of like touring the alternate world of blockbuster Hollywood films. Every zone is unique and based on a certain hit movie and era in time.

But the remarkable thing is that once you leave a zone behind, you feel like you’re in another country, in another universe, which is the wonder of the theme park. The dining outlets in each zone serves a different cuisine, and in a themed setting. You could dine with the dinosaurs at The Lost World, or more specifically, in the Discovery Food Court™ which is the biggest dining outlet in the park, where you can savour Singapore’s best selection of laksa, chicken rice and other local delights in the Discovery Center building that was featured in the original Jurassic Park movie.

As for takeaways, there’s Fossil Fuels™ also at The Lost World, where you can refuel your energy by chomping on a light snack, quick meal or slurp a couple of refreshing frozen drinks at this tropical jungle watering hole.

But if you’re a fan of Dreamworks Animation’s Madagascar, pop by Casa Del Wild as Marty, The Zebra treats you to a variety of lip-smacking South East Asian specialties such as nasi padang, pad thai, chicken rice and Asian rotisserie chicken. Alternatively, join Gloria at her favorite watering hole, aptly named Gloria’s Snack Shack™, offering Japanese-inspired quick bites like yakitori and rice bowls and invigorating thirst-quenchers.

Personally, I can’t wait to pop by Mel’s Drive-In because I adore the 1950s retro era, especially the rock-and-roll culture and at Mel’s Drive-In, you can eat you heart out over classic American favorites like juicy cheeseburgers and hot fries, sandwiches, crispy onion rings, decadent root beer floats and frosty milk shakes! There’ll be booth seats, retro décor, vintage cars parked outside the outlet and even acapella singers to entertain while you eat.

Also in the Hollywood zone is Celebrity Café and Bakery™, which is rumored to be where Marilyn Monroe was talent scouted. Fill your tummies with gourmet sandwiches, puff pastry pies and classic desserts, and who knows, you might be spotted as the next big thing!

But if you’re within the Hollywood and feel like having Chinese chow, Hollywood China Bistro is the place to head to. It serves East meets West Chinese fusion cuisine and dim sum which is freshly-made and to-die-for.

Over in New York zone, KT’s Grill which is an authentic New York Grill has a rich woodwork interior reminiscent of a 1940’s NY dinner house and is also an excellent place to dine at. The menu includes classic New York grill entrees, sandwiches, soups and salads; along with a fresh oyster bar and Pacific Rim influenced East meets West dishes.

But if you’re in the Big Apple and you’ve never tried the authentic New York jumbo sliced pizza, then you haven’t been to New York. So make sure to drop by Loui’s NY Pizza Parlor™ to grab a traditional flavored pizza or one of local favourites like Hawaiian or tandoori chicken.

Traipsing to Far Far Away zone, there are three dining options to satisfy your every craving. Check out Goldilocks™ where you can sink your teeth into the crispiest fried chicken and fish and chips, together with tasty sides like fresh mash potatoes and gravy, coleslaw, and french fries. For something lighter, stop by Friar’s™, which offers fast yet delicious food on-the-go where you can select from a variety of wraps, including Thai peanut chicken wrap, tandoori chicken wrap, turkey wrap and veggie wrap and more. As for Fairy Godmother’s Potion Shop, you can quench your thirst with healthy, freshly-made fruit juices and ‘elixirs’ to help you continue with your adventure.

If you’ve been to Universal Studios Orlando (USO) before, you’ll probably experience a sense of déjà vu when you visit us because we are based on the former. I remember sinking my teeth into a ginormous turkey drumstick, which was the biggest drumstick I’d ever seen in my life, and it was meaty enough to feed two mouths for lunch! And guess what? We’re bringing in the same turkey drumsticks! Yum!

As we move towards Opening, and as our workload gets overwhelmingly wonderful, please bear with us and we hope to welcome you in person very, very soon!

Where dreams become reality

I’ve had so many firsts since joining the big RWS family and just like you, can’t wait for us to open.

There are so many perks being among the privileged 1,700 plus and counting team members of this first of its kind hospitality group in Singapore.

One of which is the opportunity to get sneak peeks into the establishment, even as it is being built.

Some of my colleagues and I were on site a couple of weeks ago, checking out the soon-to-be-ready dining outlets in the four hotels which will be open in Phase 1 sometime early next year.

It was my first time setting foot on a construction site and unbeknownst of the palpable dangers and whipping dust storms that were more than happy to give me a facial, I was rearing to go.

Although Resorts World Sentosa occupies a massive 49 hectares of land area, I realized it’s easy to get around, thanks to the well-planned architectural blueprints. Hotels, attractions, entertainment, dining, shopping—they’re all within reach of one another and in view.

Hence, there is very little reason for one to get lost. Just get to the heart of RWS, which is FestiveWalk—where guests will be entertained 24/7 and you’ll find your bearings. But chances are you might forget where you were heading in the first place because the distractions are aplenty.

Anyway, back to my walk: much of the heavy lifting was over and the swanky embellishments were being fitted into place. Maple paneling, black and white marble flooring and tiled walls, grooves to fit expensive chandeliers—all these furnishings gave me a glimpse of how luxurious the final product will be.

And the dining options here are astounding, as there is almost something for everybody, from exquisite fine dining experiences, to the best hawker fare available on our Singapore shores.

There’s Japanese cuisine, authentic Cantonese favourites, bona fide classic European degustation menus and a great variety of others for gourmands who appreciate fresh seasonal produce which the resort will import directly from the countries of origin, as well as children-friendly dining outlets with plenty of running space to accommodate their boundless energy.

But for others like me who don’t wish to break the bank when mid-month approaches but still desire a one-of-a-kind dining experience, the various foodcourts we have will give other big names in town a run for their money.

I was surprised to see how spacious the kitchens were because if you’ve seen the kitchens of some fine-dining establishments in Singapore, it’s incredible how chefs can cook out of a pigeonhole. So it’s good news for our culinary team. Inspiring works of art will be created and transported from the hot kitchen to our tables in mere seconds.

Any news on when the Michelin inspectors are coming to town, anyone? We’ll be a good reason for them to drop by.

Talented food and beverage personnel are joining us this minute, as the recruitment drive at Suntec takes place on 12-13 October. What we need are service-oriented staff who’ll always flash a smile, as our CEO mentioned, he’s on a mission to get Singaporeans to smile. And we’re with him, let’s all flash our pearly whites! Once the service staff are on board, it’ll be training and more training. It’s time to get them acquainted with our dining options, the menus and our mantra.

By the way, a group of RWS staff were invited to Oktoberfest held at the Swiss Club a couple of weeks back and it was a good experience for us to see how such events are hosted on local soil. There are definitely plans to host major food events when we open and rock the entertainment scene in Singapore.

P.S. Missed our walk-in? Fret not. Just visit our careers page at www.rwsentosa.com/careers or send your resume, stating clearly the position you are applying for.

When two passions collide

I never thought I’d ever blog. Yes, I kept a diary (in fact, I think I had three) throughout my life, documenting milestones, crushes, historical events (like when I delivered my first-born and thereafter her beautiful life), etc, but not in the public sphere like this.

Feasting on some battered Portobello mushrooms in Orlando, Florida

I don’t mean to be clichéd.  But like the rest of the team members in Resorts World Sentosa, I am swept away by the ever-mounting excitement of Opening, which will be early next year, though we will be rolling out our offerings in phases.

So what role do I play in this awesome project?

Hmm, what should I whip up for dinner tonight?

Let me start by introducing myself. I’ve just joined the RWS family in September and I’m lucky that we’re almost at the end which marks a new beginning! For many of my colleagues who’ve worked tirelessly on this monumental project for close to two years, their efforts are finally paying off. Kudos!

Now, a little about my background. I was a food writer for a couple of years for a magazine before I joined the RWS family.

Savouring divine chardonnay at Leeuwin Estate, Margaret River, WA. Truly one of the best wines in the world!

It has been an exciting adventure for me career-wise, as I have had the chance to combine my passion for cooking and food, and love for writing.

And like kitchen maestros, I am still getting into the groove.

Digging into my favourite Oreo ice-cream in the US, but this brand is unavailable in Singapore

I’ve been seduced by the allure of the romanticised culinary world,  and am finding comfort in meeting chefs and learning about this career, which sucks people in like a vacuum. It’s basically an 18-hour a day job and it involves absolute dedication and sacrifice, which could be overwhelming, yet extraordinarily fulfilling.

To further my interest in the F&B industry, I’ll be largely involved with the F&B side of things, like publicity and promotions.

Don’t become the green-eyed monster now because I suspect I must attend media tastings repeatedly, feast on white truffles from Piedmont and the heavenly morel mushrooms with batches of journalists even if my appetite gets jaded (as if!). Heh.

 To be honest, I’ve already got requests for me to bring certain people along when the time comes. Hmm, I hope my portfolio doesn’t change (keeping fingers crossed)!

Oh yes, in addition, I’ll probably be sharing news about the latest entertainment happening here and the fabulous Universal Studios Singapore, together with my fellow bloggers, I’m sure.

A lot of us are really looking forward to checking out the F&B offerings when RWS opens.

From high-end fine dining restaurants backed by world-class Michelin-starred chefs, to theme dining outlets like a 1950s drive-in concept eatery in Universal Studios Singapore, the options are mind-boggling.

There are lots more surprises and exciting initiatives in-store which I wish I could reveal now because Resorts World Sentosa has so many world's- firsts! But it looks like the world just has to wait a little while longer.

Hold your breath, Singapore’s dining utopia is soon arriving at our doorstep! I’ll tell you more when I can and in the meantime, smack your lips and reserve your appetite or you’ll live to regret it!