Known throughout the years as a critic, author, publisher, speaker, teacher, television presenter, restaurateur, consultant, food ambassador and chef, cooking doyenne Violet Oon was conferred the Lifetime Achievement for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism at the Singapore Tourism Awards 2019 and the Inspirational Patient of 2021 by Singapore General Hospital.

The multi-hyphenate icon has also been awarded two Lifetime Achievement Awards by the World Gourmet Summit and Asian Masters for her eponymous group of restaurants. With three outlets and a range of Singapore food merchandise to offer, Oon has managed to put Singapore’s diverse culinary heritage on the global stage by elevating local flavours with heart, soul and authenticity.

Community service is very dear to her heart and in 2019 and 2020, Oon completed seven projects to celebrate the seven decades of her life, with programmes for the Community Chest of Singapore and the Singapore National Stroke Association amongst others. Since 2023, she has been leading the Empowering Lives Food for Good initiative for the Community Chest of Singapore to celebrate its 40th Anniversary with a series of over 25 programmes by the F&B community of Singapore and has brought together hotels, restaurants, chefs, culinary schools, private home dining hosts and celebrities. This is a happy meaningful run-up to her 75th year in 2024.