Co-founder and CTO, Shiok Meats

Ling Ka Yi and her business partner Sandhya Sriram are set on revolutionising the unsustainable crustacean market. They founded Shiok Meats to create slaughter-free, cell-based alternatives and recently raised US$12.6 million in Series A funding, which brings them closer to commercially launching their first minced shrimp product, Shiok Shrimp, in 2022. 

Last November, they also revealed their cell-based lobster meat prototype during a private tasting in a world first. 

“I want to provide everyone the opportunity to choose a clean source of crustaceans,” says Ling. “It is important to me that I know where my food comes from, to have a choice to eat what I want and not feel like I’m destroying the environment as I eat.”

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Co-founders, Karana

Who would have thought jackfruit would make a good substitute for pork? Blair Crichton and Dan Riegler did. The co-founders of Karana are using the tropical fruit to create a whole-plant-based alternative to pork, which is also made into ready-to-cook products such as “pork” and chive dumplings and “char siew” buns.

The jackfruits are ethically sourced, primarily from Sri Lanka, where it is abundant. “Jackfruit is one of the most sustainable crops in the world and a very friendly crop for smallholder farmers,” says Rielger in an interview with Tatler. “It can offer significant income generation potential while requiring minimal inputs and maintenance. It is mostly grown intercropped (crops grown among other plants, usually in alternating rows or sections) on mixed farms, which is much better for soil health and provides diversification for farmers.” 

This June, Karana expanded to Hong Kong, where it is working with chefs and restaurants to offer plant-based dishes using its pork substitute.

Founder and CEO, Tria Foodware

In 2019, Singapore generated 930,000 tonnes of plastic waste, of which only 4 percent was recycled. Ng Pei Kang wants to change this. 

Ng’s company Tria, which he started in 2016, provides end-to-end solutions for the food industry. Its key products include its plant-based Neutria foodware, which is used by numerous restaurants in Singapore, and its Bio24 hydro-thermophilic digester, which can turn food waste into mineral-rich fertiliser within 24 hours—the first of its kind in the world. 

In 2020, Tria has helped its clients avoid using at least 100 tonnes of plastic by switching to more environmentally friendly substitutes.

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Co-founder and managing director, Fresh Creation Holdings

As the co-founder of one of Asia’s largest healthy fast-food chains, SaladStop!’s Adrien Desbaillets knows the impact that his company can have on the environment. Driven by the goal to help people eat better, SaladStop! uses eco-friendly packaging and supports a circular economy through initiatives such as a BYO campaign, borrow a bag, composting, using upcycled building materials and exploring sustainable sources of food.

This March, the chain went one step further and announced that it is carbon labelling its entire menu, in hope of encouraging its customers to think about the footprint of their food choices. SaladStop!, which has stores in eight countries worldwide, is the first healthy food chain in Asia to put this to practice.

See more honourees from the Food & Beverage category of the Gen.T List.