Cover Daniel Yap slices a pepper while wearing his Fossil Nate Chronograph Brown (Photo: Daniel Adams)
Daniel Yap slices a pepper while wearing his Fossil Nate Chronograph Brown (Photo: Daniel Adams)
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These chefs share why their timepiece of choice is tough enough to take the heat of the kitchen
Time is priceless to a chef working in a busy kitchen. Proper time management is essential for smooth service, from ensuring proteins are cooked to perfection, courses are served on time to guests, or pastries are removed from the oven at the right moment.
We speak to four chefs—Marco Caverni of Mandarin Grill, Shaun Ng of Hide KL, Mandy Goh of Atas at The Ruma Hotel and Residences, and Daniel Yap of Gooddam, each who have a timepiece they keep close to their heart.
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Marco Caverni of Mandarin Grill - Tudor Black Bay 58
Above Marco Caverni of Mandarin Grill's watch of choice is the Tudor Black Bay 58
Marco Caverni of Mandarin Grill's watch of choice is the Tudor Black Bay 58
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The chef de cuisine of Mandarin Grill loves the neo-vintage look of the Tudor Black Bay 58 and how comfortable it feels on his wrist. The fact that it comes in a stainless steel case and bracelet makes the watch easy to clean should it be soiled by stray sauces.
Inspired by early Tudor diver watches, it is Caverni’s first Swiss-made mechanical watch. However, Caverni has a more personal affinity with the watch: “it’s the only watch I bought in Malaysia, so it represents this moment in my life,” he smiles.
Caverni believes time is the most precious resource anyone can have, and as a chef, it is of utmost importance to have an organised schedule to maximise productivity.
Shaun Ng of Hide KL - Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph 5980/1A
Above The Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph 5980/1A is Shaun Ng of Hide KL choice timepiece
The Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph 5980/1A is Shaun Ng of Hide KL choice timepiece
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The Nautilus emits a gentle sparkle on Shaun Ng’s wrist as he plates up a bone marrow begedil with black garlic sambal in the kitchen of Hide KL. A historically important timepiece, Ref. 5980/1A introduced the automatic chronograph to the Nautilus line in 2006.
“It is sporty yet elegant, so it fits into my daily wear without limiting my movement,” Ng says. “The architecture of the watch also shares its design with the 5960 annual calendar movement, which is unusual and something I appreciate.”
The chef-owner of Hide KL believes that everything in the kitchen revolves around time, and without proper time management, a restaurant simply won’t function smoothly.
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Mandy Goh of The Ruma Hotel and Residences - Casio G-Shock DW-5600MS
Above Mandy Goh of The Ruma Hotel and Residences has worn her Casio G-Shock DW-5600MS since 2014
Mandy Goh of The Ruma Hotel and Residences has worn her Casio G-Shock DW-5600MS since 2014
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Simple and classic, Mandy Goh’s Casio G-Shock has been her steady companion since 2014. The executive chef at The Ruma Hotel and Residences bought the watch with her first paycheck after starting a new job in Singapore in 2014, and she has been wearing it religiously ever since.
“When I was in school, Casio always provided items like calculators that had a good shelf life,” she says. “The same is true for this watch—it has been with me for the past nine years, nearly my entire career.”
To the Penang-born chef, a watch is a device to tell the time and the date but she also relies on the digital display of the Casio to help her keep track of cooking times in the kitchen.
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Daniel Yap of Gooddam - Fossil Nate Chronograph Brown
Above Daniel Yap of Gooddam's Fossil Nate Chronograph Brown was a gift from his family
Daniel Yap of Gooddam's Fossil Nate Chronograph Brown was a gift from his family
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Daniel Yap received the Fossil Nate Chronograph Brown from his cousins upon graduating from college in 2015, and has been wearing it ever since. The caseback is engraved with his name for that personal touch.
The chef-owner of Gooddam enjoys wearing the watch due to its large case size of 50mm, as well as its versatility. “In the kitchen, I wear the watch with a black silicone strap, which can be swapped for a medium brown LiteHide leather strap for formal events,” he enthuses.
Yap believes that time plays a key role during service, from the moment it takes to fire up a dish to the gap between the serving of two courses.
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Photography: Daniel Adams
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