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CNA
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CNA
This NUS lecturer and PhD holder left academia to open restaurant that sells one handmade pasta dish daily
With his wire-rimmed glasses and scholarly demeanour, Lim Zhi Han probably looks more suited buried in a book than rolling out fresh dough. For nearly two decades, that was true. The 45-year-old lectured at the National University of Singapore after earning his PhD in physics there. Last November, Lim left academia to open 42 Pasta Is The Answer, a 20-seat Italian restaurant at Thomson Plaza. He runs it almost entirely on his own, with help from a part-timer, and occasional weekend pasta-making assistance from his wife Hwee Yee, who has a full-time job. The menu is deliberately simple: One handmade pasta dish a day, usually decided by Lim that very morning. It could be stuffed ravioli, ribbony tagliatelle or a ridged tube pasta in both traditional and fusion sauces like creamy mushroom, pork ragu and miso butter – customers never know until they arrive at the restaurant. Starters like bruschetta, marinated olives, roasted pork and Waldorf salad, plus a house-made Basque cheesecake, round out the offering. Before opening 42 Pasta Is The Answer, Lim Zhi Han spent 19 years in academia, including teaching cross-department courses like astronomy and mathematics to NUS students from various majors. 'I was quite sure that academia is something that I will probably do for the rest of my life,' he says. 'But while I'm still a bit younger, perhaps I should try something different.' His colleagues were shocked when he announced his career change. Some have since become customers – his farewell party was held here – and a few students have even worked part-time in his restaurant. He admits he misses 'intellectual discussions' with students and peers. Cooking, however, had always been a quiet passion. 'I was into all sorts of cooking,' he says. 'I started watching this wonderful YouTube channel called Pasta Grannies during my commutes [to work], and about two years ago I began making pasta at home.' He was hooked. 'Freshly made pasta is very varied. Once you start to get into it, it's a whole new world.' His wife, Hwee Yee, was supportive from the start, though she admits the idea initially took her by surprise. 'It's an unconventional path, but it is what it is,' she shares in a separate interview. 'We talked about it and in the end, we both agreed that if it's something he wants to try, he should go ahead and pursue it. Success is not defined by your job, after all.' Lim jokes that his wife had a caveat: 'She said, after [their daughter's] PSLE exams, then you can start!' 'There wasn't a good or right time, but PSLE was an important milestone and we thought it's good to spend more time to guide her,' she explains of the couple's pre-teen. In November 2024, after the exams were over, he invested about S$60,000 (US$46,700) to launch 42 Pasta Is The Answer. The restaurant's quirky name is a nod to The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, in which '42' is revealed as the ultimate answer to life, the universe and everything. A fan of the book's geeky humour, Lim Zhi Han even considered calling it The Restaurant At The End of the Universe – a playful nod to the sequel and to a course he once taught called The Universe. In the end, he went with the cleaner, punchier 42 Pasta Is The Answer. Since opening, he's made well over 42 types of pasta, though he jokes that if two diners share two pastas and a roast pork salad, the bill conveniently comes to S$42. Located on the ground floor of Thomson Plaza, the 20-seat space is simple and bright, with blonde wood tables, rattan-backed chairs and paper lanterns creating a cosy, homey vibe. 'We stay in Yishun and we like to come to Thomson Plaza. Yishun is too crowded! In fact, the previous tenant was a Japanese restaurant that we frequented. I like how chill the mall is,' he says. An open kitchen sits just behind the dining area, where Lim works alone, rolling out wide sheets of fresh pasta dough on a wooden counter – the setup invites diners to catch glimpses of the action. Reservations are strongly recommended for dinner and weekend service. Outside those peak times, Lim usually sets aside a few spots for walk-ins. Every day, Lim makes his pasta from scratch using one of two base doughs: A classic egg dough of wheat flour and eggs, or a firmer semolina dough. Prep time depends on the style; long noodles and tubes are quicker but smaller hand-shaped pastas can take up to an hour. 'The most challenging ones are the smaller pastas, because you need to make so many more pieces for a single portion,' he says. The trickiest shape so far? Spizzulus – a small, twisted pasta from Sardinia. 'I've stopped making it,' he says with a laugh. On the counter, his tools are laid out like a craftsman's kit: A sturdy wooden rolling pin from Hong Kong and imported Italian pasta stamps and ferretti – thin metal rods used to roll and shape elongated pasta. He estimates he's made around 50 pasta types to date, drawing inspiration from everywhere: The Pasta Grannies cookbook, YouTube and online recipes. Most mornings start at 7am at the wet market, where he shops for ingredients for that day's pasta sauce or base and other menu items like his house-made roasted pork and Basque cheesecake, which weren't ready during our visit. Pasta-making has been harder on his body than expected. 'When we first opened, the restaurant was only closed one day a week. I increased it to two so I can recover, and exercise more on my off days to cope better,' he says. The change has also meant a pay cut – his current salary is 'about 50 per cent less' than what he earned as a lecturer. He's adjusted by cutting back on personal expenses. When asked how long it took for the restaurant to turn a profit, his answer is measured: 'It depends on how 'profitable' is defined. If it's just profit equals revenue minus all operating costs, then we were profitable from the first month.' Is the current model – one pasta dish a day, small seating capacity – financially sustainable long-term? Again, Lim Zhi Han says, it depends on the definition. 'Most customers don't eat more than one pasta and most who dine here don't mind the lack of choice. The concept means a return visit will likely feature a different pasta, so I think the lack of choice doesn't really impact revenue. As for small seating capacity, it does put an upper ceiling on revenue but I think that ceiling isn't too low to make the business unsustainable.' Lim hopes more Italian customers will visit so he can gauge if his pasta meets their standards. 'I'm pretty confident the nonnas will approve,' he says, adding that he believes his food holds its own against other Italian restaurants in Singapore. He's grateful that diners have embraced his one-pasta-a-day concept, and for their patience – especially since preparing each dish single-handedly takes time. If someone chooses to walk away because the day's pasta isn't to their taste, he takes it in stride. Most of his customers live or work nearby and many are regulars. The work also means less family time. In academia, his flexible schedule allowed his daughter to hang out at his office or for them to go out together. Now, Sundays are kept free so he can spend the day with his wife and daughter. His long-term goal is to hire more staff so he can spend more time experimenting with dishes, but that will only happen once the business grows further. For now, the restaurant is already profitable and often fully booked for dinners and weekends – sometimes turning customers away for lack of seats. He declines to share specific figures, but says the numbers so far are encouraging. RAVIOLI WITH PEAR AND RICOTTA, S$15 Made with supple egg dough, these tender ravioli have a slight chew and edges that catch a gentle golden crust from the quick pan-fry, adding a homely touch. Tossed in nutty French brown butter, the dish is surprisingly light, its richness balanced by the natural sweetness of pear and the creamy, mellow ricotta filling. Finished with grated pecorino, hand-pestled black pepper, and fresh mint leaves, it's a simple, elegant combination that satisfies without weighing you down. FOGLIE D'ULIVO WITH TOMATO AND FETA, S$15 We were lucky to catch Lim making a second pasta during our visit: Foglie d'ulivo, a traditional shape resembling olive leaves. Each piece is painstakingly formed by pressing a knife onto green spinach dough. For a playful touch, he even used leftover ravioli dough to create a few flower shapes – a romantic flourish for this summery plate. Instead of a heavy, herb-laden red sauce, the pasta is deliberately dressed in a lighter style to let the handmade dough shine – just a sauce made from sauteed and raw tomatoes, fresh basil, crumbles of feta, and black pepper. Made from semolina dough, the pasta has a satisfying chew and a faintly nutty flavour. The result is bright, fresh, and quietly charming, letting the gentle flavour and texture of the pasta take centre stage. 42 Pasta Is The Answer is at 301 Upper Thomson Road, #01-43 Thomson Plaza, Singapore 574408. Open daily except Thur & Sun: 12pm to 2pm, 6pm to 8pm.
CNA
12-08-2025
- Business
- CNA
‘Something was amiss': How two DBS staff stopped a S$70,000 scam in progress
Withdrawals are a routine part of banking, but one elderly woman's request to take out S$70,000 in cash raised concerns for assistant service manager Yu Chunmei. As part of the bank's standard procedure for withdrawals, Ms Yu, who works at DBS' Thomson Plaza branch, asked the customer about the purpose of the transaction. The woman replied that it was to pay for a home renovation – but could not name the company she had engaged. 'I asked if she had supporting documents, like an invoice, or if she was in talks with a specific contractor,' recalled Ms Yu. 'She said she hadn't yet decided on one.' SPOTTING THE WARNING SIGNS Ms Yu noticed that the customer's account held just over S$70,000 – and she was about to withdraw the entire amount for a home renovation that had not even been confirmed. What also stood out was the woman's demeanour. Most customers marking major milestones, such as buying a home or carrying out a renovation, tend to be upbeat. But this woman, who appeared to be in her 60s, seemed subdued, recalled Ms Yu, who has 15 years of customer service experience. While most scams begin remotely – through phishing, fake websites or scam calls – not all unfold entirely online. Some involve face-to-face encounters, such as tenancy scams where victims are misled at property viewings by individuals posing as agents or their assistants. Others, like this elderly customer, are instructed to withdraw cash in person as part of the deception – a tactic that adds a layer of urgency and credibility while bypassing fraud detection systems that might flag unusual online transfers. Ms Yu tried persuading the customer to first confirm a renovation provider and consider a safer payment method, such as PayNow or a bank transfer. Carrying such a large amount of cash was risky, she warned. But the customer – who did not use internet banking – insisted on withdrawing the cash. Sensing something was amiss, Ms Yu called in her colleague, deputy service manager Beatrice Ng, for support. 'With so many scams these days, we're a last line of defence for our customers,' said Ms Yu. 'It's our job to protect their savings.' Ms Ng attempted to engage the customer, speaking gently and without pressure. But the woman began to tear up, even as she stood her ground about withdrawing the money. As they spoke, her husband – who had been waiting nearby – approached Ms Ng and discreetly passed her a handwritten note asking if they could speak privately. After confirming the husband's identity, Ms Ng and Ms Yu ushered him into a room, where he revealed that his wife had received a call the night before from someone claiming to be from an insurance company. When the woman said she had never bought insurance from the company, the scammer changed tack, telling her he would connect her to the police. Another person then came on the line, claiming to be an officer. He told her that her bank account had been hacked, and she was under suspicion for money laundering. To prevent her savings from being confiscated as part of the supposed investigation, the scammer told her to withdraw the entire sum and hand it over to an 'official from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)'. The money would be returned to her later, she was assured. It is important to note that government officials will never ask for bank log-in credentials or request money transfers over the phone – and banks will never make such requests either. Anyone who receives such calls should verify their legitimacy by calling the 24/7 ScamShield helpline at 1799. SAFEGUARDING THE CUSTOMER'S SAVINGS After hearing the husband's account, Ms Ng and Ms Yu acted quickly. As they spoke to the customer, Ms Yu and Ms Ng noticed her phone was on and placed face-up on the counter throughout – raising the possibility that the scammers were listening in. They asked the woman to hang up on the scammers and turn off her phone. Reassuring her that they had spoken to her husband, they told her there was no need to be afraid – her money was safe in her DBS account. The pair had foiled a government official impersonation scam – a ruse that typically begins with unsolicited calls from individuals claiming to be from agencies such as the police or MAS. Victims are told their bank accounts have been compromised and are pressured into handing over cash, personal information or banking details. These scams are not uncommon. Last September, a spate of such cases led to a loss of at least S$6.7 million. Experts say scammers exploit Singapore's low-crime environment, where trust in authority is high, to convince victims to part with their savings. Once the elderly customer calmed down, Ms Yu and Ms Ng helped her secure her savings. DBS provides an ideal solution for such a situation – DBS digiVault, a 'money lock' feature that prevents unauthorised digital transfers while allowing funds to continue earning interest. 'After she locked her funds, she looked visibly relieved,' said Ms Ng. 'And when she realised it was a scam, she started smiling.' Before the couple left, Ms Ng and Ms Yu advised them to file a police report. Scams are evolving rapidly, and customer-facing staff often find themselves having to defuse high-stress situations with agitated customers. Staff vigilance – exemplified by Ms Ng and Ms Yu – is a key part of DBS' broader anti-scam strategy, which includes the use of technology, banking tools, customer education and close collaboration with industry partners and the authorities. 'DBS has trained us to be vigilant and proactive – to spot warning signs, stay calm under pressure and handle sensitive situations with care,' said Ms Yu.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
11 best wedding photography services in Singapore for your big day
If you are tying the knot soon, it's easy to overlook wedding photography when planning your big day. Wedding photography helps preserve memories, allowing couples to relive the excitement of their wedding. The photographs serve as a record of a once-in-a-lifetime milestone, documenting not just the wedding but also the ties among your family and friends. Check out our list of the 11 best wedding photography services in Singapore whose gorgeous shots serve as timeless reminders of your big day. TLGraphy is a wedding photography venture driven by a passion for capturing love stories through our lenses. From the beginning, photography has been more than just a craft for them —it is an art form that allows them to preserve the most cherished moments in life. All of their photography services include a free Zoom consultation to align expectations and preferences. They focus on delivering bright and authentic candid photos. Unlike traditional photography packages, they do not give boxes or prints and only supply the edited photos. Their Actual-Day Wedding Photography Package (Unlimited Locations) will set you back by S$1488 for 6 Hours (300 Minimum Edited Photos), S$1,788 for 8 Hours (400 Minimum Edited Photos) and S$2058 for 10 Hours (500 Minimum Edited Photos). 301 Upper Thomson Road, Thomson Plaza, Singapore 574408 +65 9828 3328 Daily: 9am – 10pm | | Luma Film specialises in Wedding Photography and Videography, documenting details of your wedding day in a digital film-like format. Founded in 2020, the firm's name, Luma, was derived from the concept of luminance and exposure in image and video processing. They offer the following 3 wedding photography packages for couples: Basic Series: Essential and Basic Sessions offer couples a shorter duration of shooting hours and come with a guided couple session, curated for Proposals or Solemnisations. Pre-Wedding Series: Signature Films and/or Stills offer unlimited hours within a single day of shooting. Classic Films and/or Stills offer an option for 3-hour or 4-hour sessions. Wedding Day Packages: Photography and Videography from 5 to 7 hours for Intimate Services and 8 to 10 hours for Modern Packages. You can split hours for 8 hours and up. +65 8418 3100 | | The Onlookers documents your love story in its purest form, from pre-wedding to the wedding day. Their photos represent your authentic selves as individuals and as a couple. Their Actual-Day Wedding Photography costs S$900 for 4 Hours (Minimum 200 Edited Photos), S$1,350 for 6 Hours (Minimum 300 Edited Photos), S$1,800 for 8 Hours (Minimum 400 Edited Photos), and S$2,250 for 10 Hours (Minimum 500 Edited Photos). For every additional hour past the stipulated time, fork out S$225. Their Pre-Wedding Photography will cost you S$600 for 1.5 Hours (50 Edited Photos & 1 Location), S$980 for 3 Hours (100 Edited Photos & 2 Locations), and S$1,380 for 5 Hours (150 Edited Photos & 3 Locations). Images will be sent via an online link. 217 Henderson Road, #02-05, Singapore 159555 +65 8505 4220 Daily: 9am – 10pm | | Our Momento is a family-owned boutique company founded in 2023. Their experienced wedding photography team knows what shots are needed. They can accommodate your timeline so that all the intimate moments are captured without spoiling your special day. They offer the following 3 actual-day wedding packages: 6 hours (from S$888): 500 softcopy edited photos, 10 softcopy further edited photos, 10 hardcopy 4R prints of your choice with free shipping, 2 to 3 outdoor/indoor locations. 8 hours (from S$1,088): 700 softcopy edited photos, 20 softcopy further edited photos, 20 hardcopy 4R prints with free shipping, 2 to 4 outdoor/indoor locations. 10 hours (from S$1,288): 1,000 softcopy edited photos, 30 softcopy further edited photos, 30 hardcopy 4R prints with free shipping, 3 to 5 outdoor/indoor locations. Jurong West Street 42, Block 419, Singapore 640419 +65 8020 2902 Daily: 9am – 7pm | | Darren and Jade Photography is a fun-loving, always-camera-carrying photography and videography team based in Singapore. The former spent his earlier years in San Francisco, while Jade grew up in Melbourne (where they met as Darren was doing a Master's degree). They provide the following 3 pre-wedding shoots in both Singapore and overseas: Bali Adventure (S$2,188): 60 fully edited images, photo montage, 20 selected prints in 4″ x 6″, handcrafted keepsake box, 3-4 locations within Bali, 6 hours of shooting time. Mongolia 3 Day Adventure (S$24,888): 85 fully edited images, photo montage, 20 prints in 4″ by 6″, a handcrafted keepsake box and a high-resolution pre-wedding video. Singapore (Shot by Darren) (S$1,200): 30 fully edited images, photo montage, 20 selected prints in 4″ x 6″, a handcrafted wooden box, up to 2 hours for 1 to 2 locations. 7 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City, #12-07, Singapore 038987 +65 9297 0077 Mon to Fri: 10am – 8pm Sat: 10am – 4pm Closed on Sun | | 21 Classy Wedding Restaurants To Tie The Knot In Singapore Other Than Hotel Ballrooms Chris Ling started in 1993 as a pre-wedding photographer and has amassed experience in studio, outdoor and pre-wedding photography. Today, Chris Ling has developed a signature photography style that is a blend of street photography elements and intimate storytelling. Chris Ling Photography offers the following 3 wedding photography packages: Couple Casual Photography (Studio/Outdoor) (S$1,000): 2-hour photo session, 10 professionally retouched digital images, all makeup and hairdo services included. Classic Pre-Wedding Photography (S$2,995): Full-day shoot, 20 professionally retouched digital images, makeup and hairdo services, wedding gown and men's suit. Wedding Day Photography (S$2,850): 8-hour shoot and all digital images returned. 79 Tanjong Pagar Road, Chinatown Point, Singapore 088500 +65 9328 6979 (WhatsApp) Thu to Tue: 12pm – 9pm Closed on Wed | | Multifolds Productions does not just snap photos. They take it a step further by bringing out the emotions and feelings attached to the photo. But above all, they believe that the best way to capture a spontaneous moment is to create a fun and stress-free atmosphere. Multifolds Productions offers the following 3 actual-day wedding photography packages: 6 Hours (Associate: S$1,988/Director: S$2,498): At least 450 edited photographs, a signature wooden gift box with 50 to 60 3R prints, and 90 days of online storage. 8 Hours (Associate: S$2,343/Director: S$2,898): At least 450 edited photographs, a signature wooden gift box with 50 to 60 3R prints, and 90 days of online storage. 10 Hours (Associate: S$2,698/Director: S$3,298): At least 600 edited photos, a signature wooden gift box with 50 to 60 3R prints, and 90 days of online storage. No. 37 Lorong 23 Geylang, Yu Li Industrial Building, #08-02, Singapore 388371 +65 8774 2165 Mon: 2.30pm – 6.30pm Tue to Fri: 10.30am – 6.30pm Closed on Sat & Sun | | Shane Chua is a Singapore-based wedding photographer who has been documenting weddings for over 7 years. His photography style is built on natural light and curiosity. Shane Chua Photography offers the following 3 wedding photography packages: Wedding Day (S$1,848): 8 hours of wedding day coverage, the full return of all good images (edited) and a Shane Chua photography signature thumb drive. Pre-Wedding/Solemnisation (S$595): 2 hours of coverage, the full return of all good images (edited) and a Shane Chua photography signature thumb drive. 2-Day Overseas Shoot (S$1,580): Any destination of your choice, the full return of all good images (edited) and a Shane Chua photography signature thumb drive. 515 Yio Chu Kang Road, The Calrose, #05-50, Singapore 787083 +65 8251 5959 | | Whether you are hosting an intimate wedding solemnisation or a larger wedding at a hotel banquet, Vincent Tay's journalistic style captures the essence of the emotions of the day. Vincent Tay offers the following 3 solemnisation photography services for couples: 1-Hour Coverage (S$348): Solemnisation ceremony and outdoor shoot, minimum 90 soft copy edited photos, return of high-resolution soft copies, private online gallery. 2-Hour Coverage (S$568): Solemnisation ceremony and outdoor shoot, minimum 180 soft copy edited photos, return of high-resolution soft copies, private online gallery. 3-Hour Coverage (S$838): Solemnisation ceremony and outdoor shoot, minimum 280 soft copy edited photos, return of high-resolution soft copies, private online gallery. 263 Tampines Street 21, #08-140, Singapore 520263 +65 9826 3338 Daily: 9am – 8pm | | Story Wedding has a knack for capturing moments that you will treasure for a lifetime. Together, they will create a tale that showcases the bond between you and your partner. Story Wedding offers the following 3 pre-wedding photography packages for couples: Classy Package (S$2,088): Up to 5 hours service (half day), 1 gown + 1 suit, 1 makeup look, 20 soft copies return with colour edit, indoor studio or outdoor shoot. Premium Package (S$3,888): 10am – 6pm (full day), 2 gowns + 2 suits, 2 makeup looks with artist, 30 soft copies with fine edit, 1 premium wedding album and 1 canvas. Luxury Package (S$4,588): 10am – 7pm (full day), 3 gowns + 3 suits, 3 makeup looks with artist, 35 soft copies with fine edit, 1 luxury wedding album and 1 canvas. 33 Ubi Avenue 3, Vertex Tower A, #01-66, Singapore 408868 +65 8828 5277 Daily: 11am – 8pm | | The Aurora Wedding is a Singapore-based firm specialising in wedding photography and videography. Their services include actual-day wedding coverage and pre-wedding shoots. The Aurora Wedding currently has 3 wedding photography packages that are on promotion: Makeup & Hairdo & Photography (S$538): Makeup and hairdo, 1 x professional photographer, 1 hour photography coverage, unlimited photos and unlimited locations. All-in-One Package (from S$698): All of the above, and add-on rental of a man's rack suit, rental of a rack wedding gown and a free tiara, veil and an artificial bouquet. Actual-Day Photography & Videography (S$1,988): 8 hours of photography and videography, 1 x photographer and 1 x videographer, unlimited photos and locations. +65 9380 7567 (WhatsApp) | | 10 best wedding planners in Singapore to tie the knot The post 11 best wedding photography services in Singapore for your big day appeared first on
