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Enjoy A Relaxed Hari Raya With Our Halal Mini Buffet

May 28, 2020 Catering Tips No comments yet

While Hari Raya celebrations are slightly dampened by Singapore’s COVID-19 Circuit Breaker this year, it is still an occasion you can celebrate with a mini feast at home! But, as you might have experienced already, preparing for a Raya is anything but relaxing! Just think of all the things you need to prepare!

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To make enjoying a sumptuous feast this Hari Raya a little easier for you, why not get a great caterer to take care of all your food needs while you spend your time bonding with your loved ones?

From Nonya Rendang Chicken to Steamed Assam Sambal Fish to delicious Ayam Panggang, mini buffets are a great way to ensure that you and your family can enjoy great variety and quality food at the comfort of your own home! 

Why is halal mini buffet perfect for Hari Raya? 

  • Peace of mind for you and your family 

Food safety and halal certified meals should be your number 1 priority, and it is not hard to see why in today’s situation. While safety is something to be concerned about, you can always find caterers who take extra precautionary measures against the coronavirus outbreak. 

Take note of strict food safety and hygiene standards, regular cleaning, disinfecting regimes and little details like individually packed cutlery packages to be sure that your food is safe for your family. 

  • Experience the ultimate form of convenience 

Truth to be told, Hari Raya occasions can sometimes make you pull your hair out instead of letting your hair down! 

That is because there is often so much to do – rearranging furniture, setting up tables and venue decoration. Not to mention the main event – preparing the food! 

With Chilli Manis’s mini buffet, your delicious Hari Raya spread arrives at your place in food grade microwavable containers, each ready to be served to your family. 

The best part? Less washing up for you! You will not have to worry about collection after your occasion too. 

Trust us, a fuss-free experience is the ultimate luxury you can enjoy this Hari Raya! 

  • Enjoy a variety of flavours with unbeatable quality 

It is often said to go for quality and not quantity, but with the right caterer, who says you cannot have both? While it will take intensive time and labour for you to muster up say 4 dishes, a mini buffet from a good caterer can easily widen your spread to 8 or 9 delicious courses!

Think about the luxury of having chicken, fish, rice, vegetables, pastry, desserts, seafood and more to impress your hungry guests! That is why a good caterer with a flexible menu is the go- to option when you are looking for an assortment of Hari Raya flavours! 

Enjoy Raya all-year long 

If you love Hari Raya flavours, you are in luck – Chilli Manis is one of Singapore’s very few caterers with an extensive menu of mini buffet catering range that is available all year round! So, if you would like Hari Raya flavours even during Christmas seasons, it is definitely possible.

From Classic, Peranakan to International dishes of 7 to 9 courses, you and your guests will be spoilt for choice when it comes to flavours. And of course, Chili Manis is halal certified. Our Executive Chef, Serene Hoh has been serving the industry for over 36 years. Drop us a call at 6250 1112 to make a booking now!

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Why Opt For Mini Buffet Catering Services?

March 17, 2020 Catering Tips No comments yet

Mini buffet caterings are often dropped off at the location in disposable trays along with disposable cutlery, napkins and cups depending on the type of buffet ordered. 

Mini buffets are perfect for events with a smaller number of people or limited space such as housewarming parties or get-togethers. It is also a way to have a variety of dishes for your guests to share with minimal food wastage.

Pros of mini buffets catering

Can be arranged in a small space 

There is no need to arrange many tables, chairs or furniture in your party venue as there is no set-up required for the buffet spread. In a regular full buffet set-up, at least two 1.8m tables are used and the setup will have to be near power points if any items require electric heaters. 

It is easier to prepare a surface for mini buffet spreads as they are not limited by space. 

Lesser time and costs 

Most caterers will use disposable items to store the food and act as cutlery therefore, there is no need to spend extra money for cutlery washing and cleaning. 

There is also no rush in finishing the food as compared to full set-up buffets that are bound by time at normally three hours. The caterers will collect their equipment promptly at the end of the session, regardless if your guests have finished eating or not. Mini buffets give you the flexibility to mingle over the food for as long as you wish. 

Lesser space required 

Without the need of setting up, mini buffets can be present at outdoor events or gatherings. It also encourages mingling among guests as everyone has to share food from the platters. 

Easier to pack extra food 

If there is extra food leftover, guests can easily pack and bring them home in the disposable trays that it comes with, preventing food wastage. 

Cons of mini buffets

Unsuitable for corporate or large-scale events 

Its disposable packaging makes it unsuitable presentation-wise for large-scale events as the company may come across as cheap and unprofessional. The food is also normally catered for smaller pax only which makes it unsuitable for large events. 

Limited food selection 

Compared to a fully set-up buffet, it is impossible for mini buffet catering to hold a cocktail or canape menu, or have live-stations with a chef who serves the food on the spot. 

Limited theme decorations

With its simple packaging, there is no room for an elaborate spread that can be decorated according to specific themes to make the event more personalised and livelier. 

Therefore, depending on the nature of your event, mini buffet caterings could be the next-best option for you and your guests to enjoy! 

Chilli Manis has an extensive menu for its mini buffet catering which offers Classic, Peranakan or International dishes ranging from 7 to 9 courses for either min. 10 or 15 pax. You can select from an assortment of mains and desserts depending on the dietary restrictions of your guests. 

Chili Manis is halal-certified and has been serving the industry for over 36 years. Book now to enjoy up to 15% off when you order from us in advance!

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Things You Didn’t Know About Peranakan and Nyonya Cuisine

February 24, 2020 Catering Tips, General No comments yet

Peranakan is Malay for “born here”, which refers to the Straits-born people of Chinese and Malay or Indonesian heritage. Male Peranakans are referred to as “Baba” whereas females and the culture in general of this matriarchal community are addressed as “Nyonya”. Peranakan Cuisine can be found in parts of the Malay Archipelago particularly in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

Peranakan cuisine can be considered as a hybrid of Chinese (mainly Hokkien but also Hainanese), Malay, Indian, Thai and Western colonial (Portugese, Dutch and English) influences. Peranakan food buffet started off as a blend of Chinese ingredients and cooking techniques along with species and native ingredients used by the indigenous Malays. Its flavours are usually aromatic and spicy, featuring ingredients that represent its hybridised roots. Some popular ingredients include Malay spices such as belacan (dried fermented shrimp paste) and daun limau purut (kaffir lime leaf). Other ingredients that are usually found in Chinese food include pork and kiam chye (pickled vegetable). To add a tangy taste, sometimes tropical fruits such as mangoes or belimbing (a fruit belonging to the same family as the starfruit) are used to enhance the flavours of dishes as well.

Here are some interesting facts that you may not have known about Peranakan Cuisine

The terms ‘Peranakan’ and ‘Nyonya’ are interchangeable when describing the food

When Chinese immigrants married locals, it created a unique culture with entirely new traditional beliefs, clothes and cuisine. As the women were mainly in charge of preparing meals for the family and the community, this style of cuisine is referred to as “Nyonya”. Both Baba and Nyonya are respectful and endearing terms for men and women that originally derived from the Indonesian language.

Peranakan and Nyonya dishes are never the same

Each time a dish is prepared it is up to the interpretation of the preferred flavours and ingredients of the chef. Some commonly used ingredients used in Peranakan cooking include coconut milk, laksa leaves, lemongrass and tamarind. With its abundance of ingredients and ingredients, most dishes are highly flavourful and packs a punch.

Different regions influence the cooking styles of Peranakan cuisine

Depending on the geographical influences of each community, there are regional variations of Peranakan cuisine. For example, dishes from the island of Penang in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia are influenced by the Thais which results in higher usage of tamarind and other sour ingredients like pineapple. On the other hand, dishes from Singapore and Malacca are more influenced by Indonesian cuisine, and tend to use coconut milk. One classic dish is laksa (spicy noodles served in curry-based soup). It can be prepared in two different ways: the sour asam laksa from Penang, and the coconut milk-based laksa lemak from Singapore and Southern Malaysia.

Peranakan cuisine has a long preparation time

Cooking Peranakan food requires a high level of patience and preparation in advance. Meat and seafood must be marinated in spices for many hours before so that they can thoroughly absorb all the essential spices to be used in cooking later on. Even the spices require time to prepare beforehand as fresh spices are ideal for stronger flavours. Hence, the chef will usually use a mortar and pestle to grind the ingredients such as lemongrass, wild ginger and turmeric root that are responsible for giving Peranakan food its strong and distinct flavour adored by many.

Craving deliciously authentic Peranakan Cuisine in Singapore?

Chilli Manis is a Halal certified food catering group that offers a specially curated peranakan buffet catering which features a large variety of courses for your guests to dig into. Helmed by Madam Serene Hoh who is a veteran of the food service industry with more than 36 years of operational experience managing restaurant and catering business. She specialises in serving authentic Peranakan dishes prepared with a generous serving of herbs, spices and aromas to enhance its flavours – turning even the simplest of meals into an unforgettable gastronomic affair. Get Peranakan buffet to enjoy up to 15% off when you order from us in advance!

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5 Tips To Finding The Right Corporate Catering Service

January 23, 2020 Catering Tips No comments yet
tips for successful catering

Being put in charge of the food for any event is a tough job, let alone a corporate event. After all, there might be potential clients and colleagues present, and the standard of food can either leave them happy and satisfied or disappointed. With the plethora of food catering services available in Singapore, the selection process can be long and gruelling.

To help you simplify the process here are 5 tips on choosing the right catering service for your corporate event.

1: Is the caterer suitable?

Every catering company is capable of handling a wide range of different events. With that said, certain catering companies specialise in catering for certain types of events.

To ensure that you pick the right catering service, it is important to consider the type of event you are holding, the estimated size of the guest list and the overall demographic. From there, you can then select a catering service that can serve sufficient and appropriate food at your corporate event.

2: The people’s choice

The best reviews are those that are by fellow customers. If you ever doubt whether or not you are making the right catering choice, all you have to do is a simple google search to look at the company’s track record.

There is no harm in finding out the opinions of the catering service’s past clients as it will give you an accurate view of how the catering service handles similar corporate events. You could even try reaching out to their previous clients for direct feedback. This will provide you with a clearer idea on whether to hire the catering company in mind or not.

3: Flexibility

Corporate events are important and the food which you serve can either leave a good or bad impression on clients and colleagues alike. Hence why it is important to have the freedom to customise the menu. Often, corporate events will consist of different people with different taste preferences and dietary requirements, both of which are hard to satisfy with the provided menu. Having the ability to swap out dishes and modify your menu will ensure that everyone who attends your corporate event will leave it full and happy. 

4: Responsiveness

The best catering service is the one who is keen on helping you to give the best suggestions. Therefore, one of the considerations which you will need to take into account is their responsiveness.

How quickly do they respond to your emails? How long do they take to return calls? These are questions that can often signify on whether or not the caterer is interested in serving at your event. More often than not, if the catering company responds quickly, it means that they are keen on helping you out and can be counted on to do a good job.

5: Taste test

What’s the worst thing that could happen at any event? It is when you realise the food’s taste is not up to par.

The food you serve at your event can either make it or break it. Even if the event turns out to be boring, having good food will at least leave attendees with a good impression, which is why we encourage you to request a food sampling session. During the session, ensure that the caterer prepares the same dishes that will be served at the event, and this includes their presentation. This way, you will have a good representation of whether the food will be presentable and tasty on the day itself.

Overall, being in charge of hiring the catering service for your company’s corporate event might not be as daunting as you might first imagine. If you keep these 5 tips in mind, you can rest assured that the caterer that you have chosen will do a decent job. If you happen to be looking for a catering service that can provide great customer service and delicious food for your corporate event, why not consider Chilli Manis?

At Chilli Manis, we are a team of highly dedicated professionals who strive to provide delightful Peranakan cuisine at affordable rates for any occasion. From intimate wedding receptions to corporate functions and milestone celebrations, we will customise the perfect package tailored to your budget and requirements. Order with us today for an unforgettable catering experience.

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5 Tips To Ensure A Successful Buffet Catering

December 18, 2019 Catering Tips No comments yet
tips for successful buffet

Buffet catering often signifies a coming together of people to enjoy good food. These days, buffets can be seen at all sorts of events, from weddings to birthday parties and even casual family gatherings. However, as the demand for food catering services in Singapore increases, so have the number of options available. Ranging between mini buffets and high-tea/cocktail receptions, the options go on and on, this makes organizing a successful buffet a lot of hard work.

Hence why in this blog, we will be bringing you through our 5 tips to ensure a successful buffet catering experience.

Tip #1: Theme of the event

We start with the theme of your event. The theme can be dependant on several factors, of which the main one being the purpose of your event. Determining the purpose of why you need to engage a catering service provider will allow you to choose the right company, making your subsequent decisions easier.

If you are planning to hold a small birthday party for your child, then you might want to look at a catering service that serves Disney-themed desserts or one that provides mini buffets.

On the other hand, if you are holding a corporate event, you will be aiming to impress. So, in this case, you should look at catering services that can provide professional and extravagant buffet set-ups to leave your colleagues and clients in awe. Either way, determining the theme of your event is step one in a successful buffet.

Tip #2: Food is key

food is keyThe key to any successful buffet catering is to have happy bellies by the end of the event. Everyone loves a buffet because of the seemingly endless mountains of delicacies, so it is doubly disappointing when a guest turns up only to discover that the food is not to their liking. Take into account what your guests taste buds are like and choose the dishes accordingly. For instance, if you are planning to order catering services for your reunion dinner, then it would probably be better if you don’t order dishes like turkey or roasted chicken, especially if you know that your parents or grandparents have a traditional taste and prefer Asian cuisines.

Tip #3: Special dietary requirements

sspecial dietary requirementsDuring an event it is unlikely that everyone will be of the same religion with the same dietary habits, so you should be careful in what your order. In general, it will be safer for you to look for catering services who are halal-certified to cater to your Muslim friends. Likewise, if you are having a party amongst a group of friends then it would be a good habit to check with everyone on their dietary habits, lest should you order Burbur Cha Cha when one of your friends is lactose intolerant.

Tip #4: Attendance check!

Attendance checkWhen ordering a buffet, it is beyond easy to over-order or under-order. Knowing the headcount of your guest list is an important part of making sure you are neither wasting money or causing your guests to leave the event hungry. When enquiring with a caterer, make sure to clarify their food portions, certain catering services will give a 1:1 ratio while others might differ. One tip when ordering food for a huge event is to cater to a 10-15% non-attendance, meaning that not all of your guests might turn up. However, it is also a good habit for you to consult the caterer on the amount of food you should order in case of a full turn out.

Knowing the number of people turning up is also crucial to the type of buffet that you will be ordering. If the headcount is low, then a mini buffet will suffice, but if you are planning a huge party, then be sure to order the standard buffet so no one will have to end the night with an empty stomach.

Tip #5: Do not be shy to ask

Our final tip is to not be shy. If you want a specific decoration theme, then feel free to ask the caterer you are engaging with and see if they can meet your requirements. If you are looking to modify the menu, just inquire with the service provider. Good customer service is a telltale sign of an excellent buffet catering company, so never shy out of a request, especially if you know that it is something that will improve your event.

So there you have it, our top 5 tips in ensuring a successful buffet catering. With this, you will now be able to organise an event that is sure to leave your guests with their hunger satisfied. If you are looking for a buffet caterer with a plethora of options for you to choose from, then why not consider Chilli Manis Catering?

At Chilli Manis, we are a team of highly dedicated professionals who strive to provide delightful Peranakan cuisine at affordable rates for any occasion. From intimate wedding receptions to corporate functions and milestone celebrations, we will customise the perfect package tailored to your budget and requirements. Order with us today for an unforgettable catering experience.

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