Latest news with #ZoukGroup
Time Out
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time Out
Zouk opens French restaurant The Plump Frenchman in Bugis with dishes from $13
Led by the former Executive Chef of a two-Michelin-starred French restaurant in Singapore Zouk Group is going French with its latest culinary venture, The Plump Frenchman, set to open on June 16 in Bugis this year. This 70-seater brasserie in Guoco Midtown marks the nightlife brand's first foray into French cuisine – it has previously helmed other F&B concepts like Korio, Here Kitty Kitty, RedTail, and others. The new bistro is headed by acclaimed chef Lorenz Hoja, who is most known for his stint as Executive Chef at the now-defunct L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon Singapore. In his time there, Hoja led the restaurant to clinch two Michelin stars in 2016 and 2017. With The Plump Frenchman, he's flipping the script on French dining, moving away from fine to fun French comfort food at wallet-friendly prices. 'We're bringing back the joy of slow meals, shared plates, and dishes made with real heart,' says Hoja. Photograph: The Plump Frenchman Expect rustic bistro classics like chipirons ($16) – baby squid stuffed with chorizo and herbs – and comforting bowls of onion soup ($18). The standout demi poulet rôtisserie ($17) sees slow-roasted chicken paired with sriracha and house-made pickles. Those looking for value can opt for the lunch and dinner sets, which range from $25 for a two-course set to $47 for four courses. Find out more about The Plump Frenchman here. The Plump Frenchman opens on June 16 at 20 Tan Quee Lan St, Guoco Midtown II, #01-20, Singapore 188107. READ MORE: Pizza Studio Tamaki Review: Tokyo's cult-favourite pizzeria opens in Singapore on June 10 Canopy opens a new pet-friendly outlet at Jurong Lake Gardens with views of lush foliage Two Singapore restaurants are named in the World's 50 Best Restaurants 51-100 extended list for 2025
AsiaOne
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Hazelle Teo announces engagement to pianist James Wong, Entertainment News
Wedding bells will soon be ringing for Hazelle Teo. The Yes933 DJ, 31, announced her engagement to pianist-content creator James Wong, 24, in an Instagram post yesterday (June 6). "It was on the last day of my Qingdao work trip that this completely took me by surprise," she wrote in her caption. "I arrived at the hotel at 1am, looking like a mess and all ready to rest before heading to the airport at 6am. "But when I opened the door, I was greeted by soft orange lighting, lots of flowers, someone holding a camera, plenty of confusion… and then I saw my then-boyfriend (now fiance, lol) standing there nervously." The photo carousel Hazelle posted shows the hotel room decorated with white roses and candles, and a heart-shaped cake with "Marry me" written on it. She is dressed casually in an oversized shirt and jeans. Hazelle found out that she would not be returning to Singapore yet, as James had asked her work for leave a month in advance and had brought her spare clothes in his luggage. "He planned it all — quietly, sweetly, thoughtfully — and it turned out to be even more beautiful than I ever imagined," Hazelle added. "This feels so right. We feel so right. The rest of our lives feels so right. "We're so excited to begin this new chapter together, and thank you for sharing in our joy." [embed] Hazelle told CNA Lifestyle that she had come across James on her Instagram explore page in 2024, and reached out to collaborate. "I thought 'Hey, this guy is pretty cute. He plays the piano. Let me reach out to him to do a Taylor Swift song [where] I would sing and he would play the piano'. To my surprise, he agreed," she said. [embed] Hazelle also used the opportunity to ask for James' Telegram handle so they could talk more, but the latter wasn't initially very receptive to her attempts at conversation until she asked him out for supper one evening. "That night we spoke for a solid three hours. We just went on and on and on," she shared. "After that night, it just felt like we could still keep talking about so many more things. And that's when he became more responsive on Telegram." "I could feel the dynamics between us shift a little bit. Things between us progressed quite smoothly and swiftly, because it just felt so, so right." Germaine Tan also engaged Fellow jock Germaine Tan also shared news of her engagement to Zouk Group CEO Andrew Li on June 1. The 987FM DJ shared: "Andrew has always known my appreciation for sunsets and ocean, so he'd been planning this secretly for some time. In the Maldives, on a private sandbank, while the evening sun approached the horizon over the open ocean. It couldn't have felt more right." After Andrew made his heartfelt speech, Germaine revealed she got nervous and didn't get to respond appropriately, instead going: "What should I say now? Yes?" However, she thanked him in her Instagram post for his "patience, gentleness, and kindness" and wrote that she could not imagine life without him as her "pillar of support". Germaine also thanked her loved ones and concluded: "With that, cheers to the rest of our lives." [embed] [[nid:718815]] drimac@
AsiaOne
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
New French restaurant concept by Zouk Group to open in Bugis, Lifestyle News
Whether you're a French food connoisseur or just a foodie in general, you'll be glad to hear that there's going to be another option to choose from. Zouk Group announced that it will be launching its first-ever French restaurant concept The Plump Frenchman in Bugis on the week of June 16, the group said in a press release on Thursday (June 5). According to Andrew Li, CEO of Zouk Group, the restaurant's launch is something that he has always envisioned doing. "As a longtime French food enthusiast myself, I've always dreamed of creating a place that blends all the things I love about French cuisine and brasserie culture with the energy of our Zouk brand. It's wholesome, playful and full of personality," he stated. The 70-seater brasserie will focus on serving classic French comfort food. The menu is conceptualised by Zouk Group's Chief Culinary Officer Lorenz Hoja — who was the executive chef at French gourmet restaurant L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Singapore. During his time there, he had helped to secure two Michelin stars in 2016 and 2017. "French cuisine doesn't have to be rigid or overly refined, it should be delicious, generous, and deeply comforting. At The Plump Frenchman, we're bringing back the joy of slow meals, shared plates, and dishes made with real heart," the chef stated. Some examples of items on the menu include the Demi Poulet Rotisserie ($17++), a slow roasted chicken dish, and Chipirons ($16++), a baby squid dish stuffed with chorizo, parsley and garlic in olive oil and lemon. For dessert, there's the Tiramisu au Citron ($11++), a classic Italian dessert with an innovative touch — swapping traditional coffee for lemon as the main flavour. From Monday to Saturday, the restaurant will offer Menu de Canut, a curated selection of set menus. The selection will include a two-course set (one main and one dessert) at $25++, three-course set (one starter, one main and one dessert) at $35++, and four-course set (two starters, one main and one dessert) at $47++ and is available from 11.30am to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 9pm. The new restaurant's interior is inspired by retro French aesthetics. Zouk Group is also behind the launch of artisanal sandwich and donut shop Korio and the Five Guys franchises across Singapore and Malaysia. Address: Guoco Midtown II, 20 Tan Quee Lan Street #01-20, Singapore 188107 Opening hours: 11.30am to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 10pm (Mon to Sat), 11.30am to 3pm (Sun) [[nid:716572]]
Independent Singapore
05-06-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
987FM DJ Germaine Tan and Zouk CEO Andrew Li have announced their engagement after romantic Maldives proposal
SINGAPORE: This past Sunday, June 1, came with some heartwarming news—987FM DJ Germaine Tan is engaged to her boyfriend of two and a half years, Andrew Li! As reported by CNA , Li, the CEO of Zouk Group, proposed in the most dreamy way possible: on a secluded sandbank during their romantic Maldives getaway. Photo: Instagram/Germaine Tan Before the trip, Tan revealed to CNA Lifestyle that she had her 'suspicions'. 'He mentioned he'd set up a photographer for us one day,' said Tan. 'That definitely got me thinking a proposal might be coming, since I'm usually the one pushing for photos!' He went all in As the sun began to set, casting beautiful golden colours across the ocean, Li got down on one knee and asked Tan to marry him. She shared that he then confessed, telling her he'd known all along that she was the one he was meant to marry. He poured his heart out to her, saying, 'The way you love me—so fiercely and wholeheartedly—it pushes me to be the best version of myself. You're everything I've ever dreamed of in a soulmate, a partner, and a wife. 'Say 'yes,' and I'll spend the rest of my life showing you just how happy I can make you.' Tan was so deeply moved by his words that she broke down in tears, completely overcome with emotion and was 'full-on bawling.' The couple actually first crossed paths on a random Thursday night at Here Kitty Kitty, a cocktail bar managed by Zouk Group. No clue who he was 'Honestly, I didn't think much of it that first night, but we had a blast dancing,' Tan recalled. 'He went all out with his boyband moves, trying to impress me. After that, he left a comment on my Instagram—and then slid into my DMs.' Tan confessed she had no clue who Andrew Li was when they first met. 'I went into it with no preconceived notions about him,' she said. 'He later admitted that the moment he saw me taking photos at the bar that first night, he thought I was the perfect mix of gorgeous and adorable—and that's what made him want to get to know me.' 'Li has truly helped me conquer so many challenges throughout our relationship,' Tan shared. He helped her heal 'He's truly pushed me to grow in ways I never thought possible, and he's even helped me heal from past traumas,' Tan shared. 'A year before we got engaged, he said, 'Our relationship is my top priority right now, and I'll do anything to make it work.'' And he really proved it. 'We're in the best possible place.' According to Tan, her father, who founded the supermarket chain Hao Mart, shares a great relationship with Li. 'My dad always makes sure to snag the seat next to Andrew at family gatherings,' Tan shared. 'That way, he can talk his ear off about business and the economy—you know, all the stuff no one else really wants to hear about.' Tan recalled a conversation with her dad where she'd asked if Andrew would need to get his blessing to marry her. Her dad's reply? 'No need! I approved him ages ago!' See also Angelababy and Huang Xiaoming attend event but sit far apart Industry friends cheered them on Sounds like Tan is getting a lot of love from her industry friends! Her colleagues, including fellow Yes 933 DJ Hazelle Teo, and actresses He Ying Ying and Chantalle Ng, have all been sending in their congratulations. Right now, the couple is pouring their energy into planning a wedding that brings all their loved ones together to celebrate what matters most—love. As Tan lovingly shared, 'We're beyond excited to start this new chapter, build a life side by side, and one day grow our own little family.'
The Star
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
SG DJ Germaine Tan engaged to Zouk Group's chief executive Andrew Li
Andrew Li proposed to DJ Germaine Tan in the Maldives. Photo: Germaine Tan/Instagram Wedding bells are set to ring for Singaporean radio DJ Germaine Tan and Andrew Li, chief executive of Singapore lifestyle and hospitality company Zouk Group. The engagement was announced by Tan, a presenter at Mediacorp's English-language radio station 987, on social media on June 1. Li, who is in his early 40s, was tagged in the post. 'Andrew has always known my appreciation for sunsets and (the) ocean, so he'd been planning this secretly for some time,' wrote Tan, who is in her late 20s, of the romantic proposal. 'In the Maldives, on a private sandbank, while the evening sun approached the horizon over the open ocean. It couldn't have felt more right.' Tan, who joined Mediacorp in 2015 and is also a lifestyle influencer and host, recounted her boyfriend's words when he popped the question: 'I knew all along it was going to be you. The way you love me so fiercely inspires me to be the best version of myself. If you let me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy.' The couple, who first met at Singapore's cocktail bar Here Kitty Kitty in 2022, have been dating for over two years. She added in her post: 'Your care and generosity toward my loved ones make me even more in love with you. I can't imagine life without you as my pillar of support, and I wouldn't want a life like that anyway.' The newly engaged lovebirds were congratulated on social media by celebrity pals, including Yes 933 DJ Hazelle Teo, actor Ben Yeo, actress Tay Ying and celebrity chef Wu Sihan. Tay and Wu will be tying the knot in June. Mediacorp's artiste management arm The Celebrity Agency also congratulated Tan and Li, writing: 'From dancing at a bar to a sunset proposal in Maldives, their love story felt written in the stars. Through every challenge and triumph, they grew stronger together. Now, they are saying yes to a lifetime of love.' London-born Li joined Zouk Group as chairman in 2015 and became its chief executive in 2016. He oversaw the return of dusk-to-dawn electronic dance music festival ZoukOut in 2022 after a three-year hiatus. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
