Interview with Chronos Chan (Tom's Palette)

I have personally know the owners of Tom's Palette for a good number of years and am very impressed with the success of their ice-cream. Founded in September 2005, from a small little space with about 6 seatings, it has since expanded to be able to cater to the large crowds over the weekends. Tom's Palette also conducts ice-cream workshops and caters for events and functions. I was very pleased to engage them to cater homemade ice-cream for my wedding day! 

The reason me and hubby kept going back to them is not just because they are conveniently located in town at Shaw Towers, but it is an ice-cream palour that specializes in homemade ice-cream with very special flavors! Think of salted egg, longan red date and pear yuzu sorbet.. and much more! 

Chronos and his wife Eunice are an inspiration to me in many ways. Not only are they humble but they constantly strive to provide the best experience and service for their customers. Here's the short interview with Chronos Chan, owner of Tom's Palette.

1. How did you get started with Tom's Palette?

Tom’s Palette is a ice cream parlour opened in 2005 in Singapore, set up by Eunice Soon and myself. Before Tom’s Palette ever comes into the picture, i was a mechanical engineer, while Eunice was a media designer and had a strong interest in cooking and baking.

I was inspired to join the ice cream industry after working and researching with cold plates at Panasonic. I wanted to dive into the ice cream enterprise with cold plates but he later found out that it was not suitable for Singapore’s climate.  Eunice then approached her close friend, who was a pastry chef, and taught her the basic steps of making ice cream. After months of thorough research and trial done in their own home kitchen, they managed to craft the suitable recipe for wholesome ice cream that could withstand Singapore’s climate. We also aims include non trans-fat ingredients in our ice cream, in addition to our stand of not adding more stabilizers into their ice cream.

2. What do you love about your job? 

Both Eunice and myself enjoying eating as much as cooking. Creating and researching in ice cream become a hobby as more than a job or chores for us. We strives to be the most inventive ice cream parlour with the most unique wacky flavours and continue to change consumer’s perception of ice cream by churning non-traditional flavours made from the traditional way of making ice cream

3. What are the challenges you face and how did you overcome them? 

Firstly is hard getting passionate staff who enjoy food n knowledge of food as much as we do. Secondly, it is not an easy task to get customer to accept our wacky flavour and changing the perception of ice cream.

4. How do you create a work-life balance for yourself? 

It is tough for one who is in Food and Beverage business especially in Singapore. We try our best to spend personal time together: watching food program, cooking for each other, eating and discussing about the food we eat at restaurant.

5. What is one piece of advice you would offer to someone who is dreaming of starting out today?

• We must always not be afraid to hold on to any belief in times when met with unfavoured situations. This is because, these beliefs tend to see us through the tough times and bring us to the success.

•  Doing something that is different and no one has ever tried before may allow us to stand out in the crowd! Choosing to follow the norms will not bring out the best in us and we will not know what we are actually capable of.

• Do not lose hope in ourselves when others put us down. Instead, believe in ourselves that we can and go all out to achieve what we want. This is the spirit of an entrepreneur.

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Opening Hours:
Mon - Thur : 12pm - 9.30pm

Fri & Sat : 12pm - 10pm
Sun : 1pm - 7pm
Closed on last Sunday on every month.

Do check out their Facebook Page for more updates! 
And if you do Instagram, check out their Instagram.
Website: http://www.tomspalette.com.sg/

Thank you Chronos & Eunice for sharing your success story!