As promised, to close off 2014, I’ll be writing a little food guide to help you guys prepare for your New Year countdown party.

Industrial parks aren’t traditionally known for their food charm. Rustic, probably, but food, not really. However, the reality could not be further from the truth, as industrial parks are probably the best hidden gems of Singapore, with each featuring rows and rows of wholesale food factories that sell their delectable goodies at an absolute bargain.

I live in Woodlands, and for the past two years my dad have been bringing my family on trips to the food haven that’s concealed amongst the dull looking buildings and factories in Woodlands Industrial Park, just a mile away from where I reside. Since the new year is rapidly approaching, I thought it’ll be a great time to let you guys in on some of Singapore’s best kept secrets which will hopefully help ya’ll out during your next party or event.

I’m planning to feature the industrial parks of the other areas in Singapore and make this series a permanent fixture on my blog throughout 2015 should I manage to get enough resources and intel to keep this going.

Just a short disclaimer before I begin though. The overwhelmingly positive reviews of the brands I’ve listed below are solely as such because I’ve tried these places multiple times over the course, no pun intended, of 2014 before I drafted up this guide. None of the shops I’ve listed below paid me to feature them.



Only Melvados offered samples of their products for me to take home. Views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are not influenced in any form of monetary compensation, in-kind products, and/or complimentary services. For more information, please take a look at my Ethics Statement.

It was one in the afternoon, the heat feverishly pelting down on the streets as I alighted from Admiralty MRT station. I made my way across the overhead bridge, where a myriad of shops lay in wait for customers, and boarded bus 964 at the bus stop on the other side*. After a smooth six-stops, 15 minute journey that brought me further away from a town that has long been regarded as sleepy, the bus stopped at the Old Chang Kee Building, and I proceeded towards Woodlands Terrace, a long stretch of road located just round the corner.

*Bus 964 departs from Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange (Berth 7) as well.

Melvados

Melvados is the retail brand of Foodedge Gourment, a Singapore-based food manufacturer that supplies key food and beverage to clients such as major airlines, restaurants, five star hotels, country clubs, supermarkets, convenience stores, care chains, and fine dining outlets in Singapore. In short, what you have been eating at your favorite makan places could very well be from this very place.

It was about 1330 when I arrived. The place was fairly quiet, a stark contrast to the massive crowds packing the place during weekends. Ms Bandana, Melvados’s media representative, greeted me warmly and welcomed me to the main office, located on the second floor. We chatted briefly about the history and concept of Melvados, established back in 2003, before the pleasant young lady kindly offered me my choice of cakes and ice cream to try out with my family over the festive period.

The area is small and parking is congested, Ms Bandana said as she shared her concerns about Melvados’s monthly food tastings, a popular affair that draws the masses in effortlessly, transforming the seemingly dull street into a buzzing place, the joyous occasion completed with the smiles and excitement of adults and young ones alike basking in the carnival-like atmosphere.

The company’s marketing efforts have since focused on their newly-opened retail outlet located along Joo Chiat Road, but considering that the most interesting things to happen in Singapore for the past few weeks were the AVA waging war against a group of mice and an undisclosed blogger waging war against an undisclosed social media agency over undisclosed matters, I would still strongly urge people to visit the place every last Saturday of the month, albeit by public transport, as the food tasting experience, and of course, the food itself, are both things you wouldn’t want to miss.

Melvados also sells a wide variety of items like sauces (the Sundried Tomato is really good), soups (my sister is in love with the clam chowder), baked rice, lasagnas (I love it), pies (my dad is a fan of them), and pizzas to name a few. There are also a good variety of cakes and ice cream flavors.

Ms Bandana ended off our meeting by showing me around the actual shop on non-tasting days, which lurks behind a metal door, reminiscing of a meat freezer.

On Christmas Day, after a great lunch with my family, I began tasting, or rather, re-tasting some of my favorites from Melvados.

I started off with their famed mango mousse, which was packed with a delightful top layer and mousse cream, the rest of the cake fluffy and palatable.

A slice of Melvados’s cake costs $2.70, significantly cheaper than the restaurants and cafes who pluck in foreign sounding words to mark up their prices.

The equally-orgasmic Apple Crumble Pie proved to be various synonyms of delicious, as the pie and the apple combined for a dainty taste. Some prefer it be heated and served ‘ala mode’, but the glorious revelry of flavors is best experienced iced cold.

The ice cream which followed were absolutely delectable as well, packing a strong punch of both texture and flavor. I selected “Mango Sorbet”, “Very Berry Frozen Yogurt”, and “Triple Chocolate Ice Cream” to try out, and while they’re decent, it might taste too sweet for certain people, especially for those who have reduced or completely annihilated their sugar/soft drink intake. The sudden blast of sweetness will take some taking use to, but the overall taste will provide your guests with an excellent dessert choice during your party.

Recommended:

Apple Crumble Pie (1kg): $27

Mango Mousse (1kg): $28

Very Berry Frozen Yogurt (472g): $8

Sundried Tomato Pesto, Basil Pesto (250g): $5.50

Lasagna Beef (4 portions): $16

Chicken & Mushroom Baked Rice (4 portions): $16

Opening Hours:

Monday to Friday: 1000 – 1630

Saturdays: 0900 – 1300 (1500 on sampling days)

Sundays & Public Holidays: Closed



Address:

26 Woodlands Terrace

Singapore 738449

Tel: 6339 4953

Fassler Gourmet

The next stop on my food run was Fassler Gourmet, a relatively short walk down from Melvados. The seafood-specialty producer supply just about every hotel and many restaurants in Singapore, boasting over 200 freshly made seafood products.