While Singapore may be known as the hotspot for global franchises, especially in the F&B world, we also have our fair share of local brands that have found huge success, not just in our country, but in various parts of the globe too. With that in mind, we bring you five homegrown brands making it big in the international scene. 

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TWG Tea Company

Here in Singapore, we just adore our teas, so it was only natural for TWG Tea Company, one of the best-selling brands in the world, to come from our country. The company was established in 2008 by businessman Manjo Murjani and tea expert Taha Bouqdib. A chance encounter between the two in a teashop in Paris (where Bouqdib used to work) led to plans of starting a new company and a few years later, TWG Tea was born.

Since the beginning, the founders have positioned TWG Tea as a luxury concept that offers the best selection of tea blends sourced from all over the world. The reception to their offerings was overwhelming, and after a few years, they were able to set up boutiques in various parts of the globe. Not just that, but luxury retailers such as Dean & Deluca and Harrods also carry their products, giving them an even better opportunity to reach a bigger audience.

Photo credit: www.marinabaysands.com

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My Humble House

Though Tung Lok Group founder, Andrew Tijoe, started his career working in a Singapore based multi-national corporation and eventually, his family’s textile company, his interest in the restaurant business led him to create the Tung Lok Group in 1984.

Thirty years later, he was able to expand his brand by opening dining concepts such as the Chinese- themed, My Humble House. Working with celebrity chef, Susur Lee, they fine-tuned the menu to serve traditional classics. The concept proved to be a huge in the international scene and outlets in countries such as Indonesia, Japan and China soon sprung up.

Photo credit: www.tunglok.com

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Awfully Chocolate

Singapore’s beloved cake shop was the result of owner, Lyn Lee’s, desire to have the ultimate chocolate cake in Singapore. Since she couldn’t find it anywhere, she and a few friends decided to bake their own and sell it. In 1998, Lee opened the first outlet of Awfully Chocolate with only one dessert on the menu – All Chocolate.

Because of the lack of variety, many thought it was doomed to fail. However, with a tried and tested recipe, she saw her business growing with more and more orders for her chocolate cake. Fast forward to the present, Awfully Chocolate now has far more than just one chocolate cake on the menu and has a even numerous outlets across Singapore. Proving that everyone loves a good chocolate cake, Awfully Chocolate have also expanded to other countries such as Hong Kong, Taiwan and China. And it all started with just a chocolate cake.

Photo credit: Awfully Chocolate's Facebook page

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Paradise Dynasty

The story of Paradise Dynasty began with Paradise Group’s founder, Eldwin Chua, who, in his early 20s, started working part-time in various seafood restaurants. Sparking his interest, he entered the F&B business, and a few years later, he opened his first restaurant at Defu Lane.

The Chinese restaurant was so well received that he expanded his food business to a few more dining concepts like Paradise Dynasty. As one of the more popular brands, it is well known for its Northern and Southern Chinese cuisine with a contemporary touch. The signature favourites are the eight types of fusion Xiao Long Bao – crab roe, cheese, garlic, herbal, ma la, foie gras and black truffle.

By constantly pushing boundaries and innovating dishes, he was able to bring this concept to other countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Japan and Hong Kong.

Photo credit: www.scene.sg

 

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Twelve Cupcakes

It was only in 2011 when Twelve Cupcakes was founded by celebrity couple, Ex-DJ Daniel Ong and former Miss Singapore Jamie Teo. But the success they had with the brand was so overwhelming that they managed to open a few more outlets across Singapore in just a few years. What makes them so popular? Well, aside from selling freshly baked cupcakes made from gourmet ingredients, the owners say that all their cupcakes are handmade with love.

It’s not only in Singapore where Twelve Cupcakes proved to be such a success, with them expanding to Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia, who soon proved they couldn’t get enough of Twelve Cupcakes signature red velvet cupcakes either.

Photo credit: Twelve Cupcakes' Facebook page

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