So you aspire to be a chef? Do you have the patience to spend 15 hours in a hot, stuffy and greasy kitchen cooking up a storm for your customers? Are you able to create innovative and tasty dishes? Do you understand food ingredients well enough?

Will you remain passionate enough to go on, even after receiving criticism from demanding customers? Do you value your food?

If your answer is a resounding Yes!, you may have what it takes to be a chef.

Being a chef is not just about cooking. It’s a job that requires hard work, creativity and passion. Chef Jonathan Koh, head chef at Miss Clarity Café says, “A good chef has to love and respect food. Proper treatment of food is important to ensure that the end result is good. Food has to be packed and stored properly to maintain its freshness. Timing is also vital. The time spent on preparing and cooking the food will affect its taste.”

From its home base in Singapore, SingTel has, through its strategic investments, transformed into Asia’s leading communications company. With more than 249 million regional mobile customers, it is also the largest multi-market mobile operator outside of China. Today, it is listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange as the largest company by market capitalisation. On the global front, it is aiming to be the top info-communications technology (ICT) solutions provider in the industry.

For SingTel to lead and shape the markets it competes and operates in, it has to continually invest in both its infrastructure as well as capabilities. This includes building its human capital with a strong commitment to talent management and development.

A key feature of SingTel’s corporate strategy is thus to be an Employer of Choice.

Mary Kay, a brand that’s known to women worldwide, has finally debuted in the Singapore market. We speak to the President of Mary Kay Asia Pacific about the organisation behind the skincare and cosmetics line.

By Cheryl Lim

These days, companies that promote servant leadership with a drive for watching people reach their fullest potential are scarce. However, at Mary Kay, this philosophy is pervasive throughout the ranks. Besides being one of the most successful direct selling organisations in the industry, Mary Kay is also known for its unique mission – to enrich the lives of women.

“Mary Kay is a company that sells a way of life, and that way of life is development of women, allowing them to believe in themselves, to be the best that they can be,” says Mr K K Chua, President of Mary Kay Asia Pacific. “It almost sounds too idealistic, but I can tell you that it works.”

In fact, the man himself was sceptical when he was headhunted for the position of President of Mary Kay China many years ago.

After graduating from NTU in Communications Studies, Louann Wong did not apply for a full-time job or go on a graduation trip. Instead, the spunky 24-year-old chose to volunteer in India as a teacher. We investigate with 10 questions. No more, no less.

By Colin Lim

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a vet in Singapore? Career Central chats with Dr Ling Khoon Hsing, a vet at the Namly Animal Clinic, about her profession and her experience with animals.

By Calista Teo

Real-life private investigators may not dress in three-piece suits and a tie, but they certainly take on different tasks and challenges every day. There is seldom time for them to get bored.

By Nazirah Akhtar

What is it like to work in the non-profit sector? To find out, Career Central approached some people who’ve switched careers to join this sector, and also learn how non-profit organisations are set up in Singapore.

By Jyotsna Nelgadde

Even before graduation, the majority of university graduates will be contemplating the obvious. Many will start probing through job classifieds, signing up with recruitment agencies & web-portals and sending out resumes just to hunt down that perfect but elusive employment opportunity to begin their career.

By FRANCIS CHAN

Opting for the entrepreneurial route can be daunting as well as exciting. It really depends whether you are game enough to take up the challenge!

BY STEPHANIE CHAN

January 16, 2005. Were you at the national stadium stands cheering when the lions lifted the tiger cup trophy on the podium? While you were screaming yourself hoarse, did you know that it took many long hours, and lots of perseverance, team effort and hard work to make the event possible?

By Low Lin Fhoong