Little Did We Know, They Can Be Domestic Goddesses

At Team Naiise, we are constantly surprised with the discovery of our team mates' talents. Today, we will bring our domestic goddesses out from their kitchens and find more about their specialties!

Amanda, Marketing & Buying Director

When did your interest in cooking/baking start? How did it start?

When I got married because my husband's idea of a great day is lying in couch and playing games. We have an open kitchen, so it's nice to cook/bake and still be able to chat with him in the living room ;) Also, it's awesome to have a ready audience of appreciative "food testers" - the team at Naiise has been very receptive of my end products, so it inspires me to do better!! It's nice to be able to feed people :)

What food/pastries would you want to master making, and why?

I would like to master making a really awesome steak, cos that's the only thing I have failed terribly at, and multiple times at that :(

What's your favourite thing to cook/bake?

Cakes and cookies because it's quite relaxing and there's something fun about anticipating the cake to raise (or not).

If money is not an issue, how would your dream kitchen look like? What will you equip it with?

It would be huge with lots of ingredients readily stocked at all times.

At the top of your head, what will be the next dish/pastry that you will make?

Mm.. a really soft and fluffy cheesecake, and maybe some earl grey desserts!

Li Tying, Partnerships & Buying Manager

When did your interest in cooking/baking start? How did it start?

Probably JC times! Back then it was pretty cool to be baking cookies and brownies for friends and all. Then I started working in the kitchen at a cafe and then at a cupcake store... and I kinda picked up more baking after. 

What food/pastries would you want to master making, and why?

Chinese food! Vietnamese food! Anything that makes a good hearty meal because I so cannot cook (beyond steaming and boiling and sautéeing).

What's your favourite thing to cook/bake?

Cookies because I really have a weak spot for cookies. Makes me happy to eat. Simple and rustic and yum.

If money is not an issue, how would your dream kitchen look like? What will you equip it with?

If (a big IF) money is not an issue, I'd love a kitchen with an air conditioner for when making finicky stuff like macarons, cool equipment like an in-built grill for making melted cheesy gooey stuff (like cheese sandwiches) and barbecue, a bigger oven, a moveable tray structure for space optimisation, an air fryer (for fries and tater tots), and a marble table top for photo taking. Oh and it should be near the window for good sunlight for photos.

At the top of your head, what will be the next dish/pastry that you will make?

Kaya toast stuffed cookies or Thai tea stuffed cookies are next on my to-do list.

Shameen, Finance Manager

When did your interest in cooking/baking start? How did it start?

I have always been a foodie and self declared professional food taster whenever my mum was cooking. Real interest in cooking only came when I was in Sydney for uni for about three years. Having freedom in the kitchen without any judgment from my mum or grandma (no "there's not the way you cut vegetables!" nonsense) made it really fun. It's also fun when you cook with a group of friends!

What food/pastries would you want to master making, and why?

Would love to master my grandma's cooking. And how they cooked curry in the old days - making curry powder from scratch! oh and making chapattis like how my mum does them. 

What's your favourite thing to cook/bake?

Mostly the easiest stuff like stir fry veggies or pasta. 

If money is not an issue, how would your dream kitchen look like?

What will you equip it with? It would have an island! and my mum's Thermomix and KitchenAid. and um, is it too much to ask for a self-cleaning kitchen? HAHAHA. 

At the top of your head, what will be the next dish/pastry that you will make?

Making kaya from scratch! I'm trying to move into the whole making spreads/condiments from scratch. KAYA IS NEXT ON THE LIST!