Celine grew up in a culture that places a very high priority on food - Singapore's local cuisine is a melting pot of Chinese, Malay, Indonesian and Indian flavours and techniques. Its eminent food culture has attracted cooks and restaurateurs from all over the world, making Singapore one of, if not the, most prominent hubs for dining in Southeast Asia today. The intensity and diversity of Singapore's food culture shaped her discerning palate, and thus created her high standards for everything food. Having also lived in Indonesia and Vancouver (Canada), her palate has become extremely well-rounded: Indonesia instilled in her the basics of her native cuisine, while the multi-cultural west-coast city of Vancouver exposed her to the larger variety of the world. Vancouver was to be a stepping stone for more than just her tastebuds; it was here that she began to scrutinize food, explore both Asian and Western ingredients and techniques, start her food blog and land her first food writing assignment with Asian Gourmet Magazine. It was also from Vancouver that she first traveled in search of good food - from New York to Costa Rica, her appetite was unsatiated. Celine moved to London at the end of 2006 to immerse herself in its rich and  | burgeoning food culture. Although London is abundant with restaurants, it was London's championing of local and seasonal produce that most piqued her interest - the city's renaissance movement of eating local meant she had regular access to fresh, previously unacquainted ingredients. Coupled with the challenge of living affordably in London, Celine took to this food culture like yeast to sugar. In London Celine was widely involved with food-related work: at Londontown.com she reviewed and took photography of top London food establishments for a book project; she was a restaurant critic for ViewLondon; a correspondent and consultant for Mappetite; and at UKTV Food she was writer, researcher and coordinator for the Local Food Heroes 2008 campaign. The work on the campaign familiarised her with fine food producers and establishments located not only within London but all over the UK. When not typing or snapping furiously away, Celine maintained her food blog, worked in a caterer's kitchen, and assisted acclaimed food photographer Jason Lowe. These allowed her to stay involved with the communities in London, as well as keep abreast of issues surrounding the local and international food industries. Celine moved back to Singapore at the end of 2009 to further pursue her writing career. She is currently Sections Editor and Food Writer for Time Out Singapore. __________________________________________________  |
