The Delicious Journey of PÁAN Kitchen: A MasterChef’s Culinary Tale
In the bustling culinary world of Singapore, two home chefs are stirring up a storm with their delectable creations. Meet Amanda and Alex, the dynamic duo behind PÁAN Kitchen, a home-based venture that’s taking the city’s sandwich scene by storm.
Amanda, a former contestant on MasterChef SG Season 4, discovered her love for cooking at a young age. She was that curious kid who could not resist peeking into restaurant kitchens or spending hours in grocery stores, all in pursuit of culinary knowledge. Little did she know that her love for food would eventually become her career.
The turning point came during a volunteer project in Italy in 2019. Amanda found herself taking culinary classes from Italian nonnas and attending cooking sessions with Catholic nuns she lived with, despite not understanding a word they said. Google Translate became her trusty sidekick, helping bridge the language barrier while she mastered the art of Italian cuisine. It was in Italy that Amanda realized her passion for cooking could be a lifelong journey.
Upon returning to Singapore, Amanda didn’t just stop at mastering Italian dishes. She decided to dive headfirst into the world of professional cooking by interning at the renowned Michelin-guide restaurant, Lolla. But Amanda wasn’t content with just fine-dining experiences. She continued her studies to become a lawyer while honing her culinary skills. She also worked with chefs at a hawker centre. The passion and drive led her to MasterChef SG, a journey that felt like living in a dreamland.
Amanda’s MasterChef experience was nothing short of a fairy-tale. She auditioned after a long hiatus from cooking but remained ecstatic throughout the process. For her, it was about enjoying the journey, surrounded by immense talent in the kitchen. Learning from fellow contestants and witnessing their unwavering passion left a lasting impact on Amanda, shaping her worldview in countless ways.
From MasterChef to Entrepreneur
Post-MasterChef, Amanda’s desire to start her own home-based business took root. She sought inspiration from friends who had ventured into similar enterprises, realizing that happiness and joy come from doing what you love and sharing it with others. Food, for Amanda, is not just sustenance; it’s an expression of love and joy, something that’s deeply felt by those who taste her creations.
Enter PÁAN Kitchen, a passion project that combined Amanda’s love for Italian cuisine and her partner Alex’s expertise in Western cooking. Their shared adoration for bread made them gravitate toward creating delicious, fresh sandwiches. The schiacciata bread (a relative of focaccia) is their secret weapon, and is made fresh daily. It boasts of a delectably fluffy interior that harmonizes with a tantalizingly crispy exterior, promising a delightful textural dance in every bite.
With a limited menu that changes every few months, PÁAN Kitchen ensures that each sandwich is a carefully crafted masterpiece. Countless hours of research and development go into perfecting the flavour combinations. Their current festive menu is a testament to this dedication.
PÁAN Kitchen’s Festive Menu
Showcasing a unique blend of flavours while tipping the hat to classic Italian flavours, PÁAN Kitchen’s festive menu is a feast for the senses.
The Festive Pistachio-Pesto with Roast Chicken is the star of the show, with layers of romaine lettuce, house-made onion cream, their signature pistachio pesto, and succulent roast chicken marinated in authentic Italian flavours. It’s a flavourful journey that will have your taste buds dancing.
The Prosciutto Cotto Paradise with Creamy Artichokes features a special in-house artichoke spread, complementing cooked prosciutto, fresh artichokes, and parmesan. It’s a slice of heaven for all artichoke enthusiasts.
Finally, the Cacio e Pepe Cheesy Melt takes the classic grilled cheese to a whole new level with a twist of pepper and peppercorn oil. It’s a cheesy delight that’s sure to leave you craving for more.
Those looking for something sweet would not go wrong with their Chocoholic’s Berry Adventure, which is slathered in a rich mixture of chocolate and berry jam.
With this festive menu, Amanda and Alex aim to bring familiar Italian holiday flavours to your table, but with a PÁAN Kitchen twist. They’re all about creating innovative gastronomic combinations that will leave your taste buds pleasantly surprised and craving another bite.
Get your Italian sandwiches from PAAN Kitchen today!
