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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| birth_date        = 12 March 1960
| birth_date        = 12 March 1960
| birth_place        = Singapore
| known for          = Founder of Eighteen Chefs
| known for          = Founder of Eighteen Chefs
| spouse(s)          = Chan Mei Kam (m. 2014)
| spouse(s)          = Chan Mei Kam (m. 2014)
|image=File:Benny Se Teo profile.jpg}}
|image=File:Benny Se Teo profile.jpg}}


Benny Se Teo is a Singaporean chef and restaurateur. He is the founder of Eighteen Chefs ([https://www.eighteenchefs.com/ official website]), a chain of restaurants in Singapore that gives youths-at-risk and ex-convicts a chance to climb the social ladder by providing a non-discriminatory workplace to these individuals.<ref>“Eighteen Chefs - Serving up a new lease of life”. ''Canon.'' Accessed on 22 January 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.canon.com.sg/thinkbig/eighteen-chefs-serving-up-a-new-lease-of-life </ref> In 2018, Benny Se Teo opened a new restaurant called The Meathouse by 18 chefs ([https://www.facebook.com/TMH18chefs/ Facebook page]).
Benny Se Teo (12 March 1960) is a Singaporean chef and the founder of Eighteen Chefs.<ref>“[http://www.canon.com.sg/thinkbig/eighteen-chefs-serving-up-a-new-lease-of-life Eighteen Chefs - Serving up a new lease of life]”. ''Canon.'' Accessed on 22 January 2019. </ref> In 2018, Benny Se Teo opened a new restaurant called The Meathouse by 18 chefs.
 
==Personal life==
Born in 1960, Benny Se Teo was raised in Chinatown, Singapore alongside 6 older siblings. His father abused and trafficked opium. As a child, Benny assisted his father in packaging the drug for his customers.<ref>“Singapore Restaurant ‘Eighteen Chefs’ Employs Ex-addicts and Convicts in Addiction Recovery”. ''The Cabin Singapore.'' November 13, 2015. Accessed on 22 January 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.thecabinsingapore.com.sg/blog/recovery/singapore-restaurant-eighteen-chefs-employs-ex-addicts-and-convicts-in-addiction-recovery/ </ref> Benny studied at Bukit Merah Secondary School. After failing his O’Levels, he decided to end his formal education. Benny’s introduction to drugs began with smoking marijuana in his teenage years.<ref>Huang, Lijie. “Former drug addict cooking up social change”. The Straits Times. April 14, 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/former-drug-addict-cooking-up-social-change </ref> Due to his over-dependence on drugs, Benny Se Teo ended up spending more than 10 years in jail and drug rehabilitation centres. In 1992, after a near-death encounter with intestinal ulcers, he decided to quit his addiction and start on his career.


==Background==
==Background==
Following repeated rejections by companies due to his criminal records, Benny eventually worked as a freelance motorcycle courier.<ref>“Singapore Restaurant ‘Eighteen Chefs’ Employs Ex-addicts and Convicts in Addiction Recovery”. ''The Cabin Singapore''. November 13, 2015. Accessed on 22 January 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.thecabinsingapore.com.sg/blog/recovery/singapore-restaurant-eighteen-chefs-employs-ex-addicts-and-convicts-in-addiction-recovery/ </ref> By 2000, he had saved approximately SGD$20,000 from the job. In 2005, he co-founded the Chinese restaurant Goshen, located in Geylang. Business was growing but poor management resulted in the closure of the restaurant within a year.<ref>Huang, Lijie. “Former drug addict cooking up social change”. ''The Straits Times''. April 14, 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/former-drug-addict-cooking-up-social-change </ref>
[[File:HONEST GOOD FOOD cover .jpg|thumb|''Benny Se Teo's recipe book, Honest Good Food. Photo credit to LOCALBOOKS.sg.'' ]]
Born in 1960, Benny Se Teo was raised in Chinatown, Singapore alongside 6 older siblings. Benny studied at Bukit Merah Secondary School. After failing his O’Levels, he decided to end his formal education.<ref>Huang, Lijie. “[https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/former-drug-addict-cooking-up-social-change Former drug addict cooking up social change]”. ''The Straits Times''. April 14, 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019.</ref>


===Encounters with drugs===
Benny's father abused and trafficked opium. As a child, he helped his father to package the drug for his customers.<ref>“[https://www.thecabinsingapore.com.sg/blog/recovery/singapore-restaurant-eighteen-chefs-employs-ex-addicts-and-convicts-in-addiction-recovery/ Singapore Restaurant ‘Eighteen Chefs’ Employs Ex-addicts and Convicts in Addiction Recovery]”. ''The Cabin Singapore.'' November 13, 2015. Accessed on 22 January 2019. </ref> Benny started smoking marijuana as a teenager.<ref>Huang, Lijie. “[https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/former-drug-addict-cooking-up-social-change Former drug addict cooking up social change]”. ''The Straits Times''. April 14, 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019. </ref> His over-dependence on drugs cost him 10 years in jail and drug rehabilitation centres.<ref>"[http://singaporefinest.com.sg/corporate-social-responsibility/ CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY]". ''Singapore's Finest''. Accessed on 9 January 2020.</ref> After a near-death encounter in 1992, Benny decided to quit drugs for good.<ref>Huang, Lijie. “[https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/former-drug-addict-cooking-up-social-change Former drug addict cooking up social change]”. ''The Straits Times''. April 14, 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019.</ref>


In 2006, Benny was offered a one-month internship at the UK-based restaurant, Fifteen by Liam Black, former chief executive of the restaurant. Owned by Jamie Oliver, Fifteen is an restaurant that offers internships for underprivileged young people. Benny became the first Singaporean to work at ''Fifteen'', located in London, United Kingdom (UK). He was given the opportunity to work with famous chefs like Gennaro Contaldo, who was widely recognised as Oliver’s trainer. He was exposed to Gennaro’s cooking techniques and was able to learn how to operate a kitchen and a community-orientated organisation.<ref>Chi, Leisha. “Former convict cooks up social change with restaurant chain”. ''BBC News.'' 17 November 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-30077649 </ref> Upon his return to Singapore in 2007, Benny went on to open the first outlet of Eighteen Chefs at Eastpoint Mall.
==Early career==
Following repeated rejections by companies due to his criminal record, Benny first worked as a freelance motorcycle courier.<ref>“[https://www.thecabinsingapore.com.sg/blog/recovery/singapore-restaurant-eighteen-chefs-employs-ex-addicts-and-convicts-in-addiction-recovery/ Singapore Restaurant ‘Eighteen Chefs’ Employs Ex-addicts and Convicts in Addiction Recovery]”. ''The Cabin Singapore''. November 13, 2015. Accessed on 22 January 2019. </ref> By 2000, he had saved approximately S$20,000 from the job. In 2005, Benny co-founded the Chinese restaurant Goshen. However, the restaurant closed within a year due to poor management.<ref>Huang, Lijie. “[https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/former-drug-addict-cooking-up-social-change Former drug addict cooking up social change]”. ''The Straits Times''. April 14, 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019. </ref>


==Career highlights==
===Internship at Fifteen (2006)===
 
In 2006, Benny secured a one-year internship at the UK-based restaurant, Fifteen. Owned by Jamie Oliver, Fifteen offers apprenticeships to underprivileged young people. Benny became the first Singaporean to work at Fifteen. He worked with the famous chef Gennaro Contaldo, who was recognised as Jamie Oliver’s mentor. Under Gennaro, Benny picked up cooking techniques and kitchen operation skills.<ref>Chi, Leisha. “[https://www.bbc.com/news/business-30077649 Former convict cooks up social change with restaurant chain]”. ''BBC News.'' 17 November 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019. </ref>  
===The MeatHouse by 18 Chefs (2018 - Present Day)===
[[File:HONEST GOOD FOOD cover .jpg|thumb|''Benny Se Teo's recipe book, Honest Good Food. Photo credit to LOCALBOOKS.sg.'' ]]
Complementing ''Eighteen Chefs'', Benny opened The Meathouse at Century Square with the nearest MRT being Tampines (DT32). The halal-certified restaurant specialises in serving quality meat at reasonable prices. The meat-based dishes are influenced by a variety of cuisines. For example, the restaurant offers Japanese and Western cuisines, serving dishes such as Japanese curry beef stew and steak served with mash.<ref>Accessed on 23 January 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.themeathouse18c.com/menu </ref>


===''Honest Good Food'' (2016)===
==Eighteen Chefs (2007 - present day)==
In December 2016, Benny published a cookbook titled “Honest Good Food: Bold Favours, Hearty Eats”. The book features 38 recipes inspired by Benny’s life experiences and the insights that he had gained from them.<ref>''Kinokuniya''. Accessed on 31 January 2019. Retrieved from: https://singapore.kinokuniya.com/bw/9789814771023 </ref> The book retails for SGD$32.00 on the Marshall Cavendish website.<ref>''Marshall Cavendish.'' Accessed on 31 January 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.marshallcavendish.com/marshallcavendish/genref/Honest-Good-Food_B1028_Singapore.aspx </ref>
[[File:Benny Se Teo 18 Chefs.jpg|thumb|''Benny pictured in an Eighteen Chefs outlet. Photo from [http://singaporefinest.com.sg/corporate-social-responsibility/ Singapore's Finest].'']]
[[File:Benny Se Teo kitchen.jpg|thumb|''Benny Se Teo pictured in the Eighteen Chefs kitchen. Photo from [https://sg.asiatatler.com/life/hardcore-dreams-benny-se-teo Singapore Tatler].'']]
Upon his return to Singapore in 2007, Benny opened the first Eighteen Chefs outlet at Eastpoint Mall. Eighteen Chefs hires ex-convicts and youths-at-risk, allowing these individuals to a means to support themselves financially and gain work experience.<ref>“[http://www.canon.com.sg/thinkbig/eighteen-chefs-serving-up-a-new-lease-of-life Eighteen Chefs - Serving up a new lease of life]”. ''Canon''. Accessed on 22 January 2019.</ref> In 2012, 35% of his staff were troubled youth and ex-offenders and by 2015, the numbers rose to 50%.<ref>“[https://edition.cnn.com/2014/11/27/world/asia/benny-se-teo-eighteen-chefs/ Meet the restaurateur who swapped a thug life for a kitchen knife]”. ''CNN.'' January 3, 2015. Accessed on 23 January 2019. </ref>  


===Eighteen Chefs (2007 - Present Day)===
===Growth===
After returning from London, Benny opened the first outlet of ''Eighteen Chefs'' in 2007 with the support of two partners. The name of the restaurant was inspired by the gang that his late father had belonged to. The restaurant is known for its customisable cheese baked rice, providing a variety of 9 sauces and 12 toppings.<ref>“Eighteen Chefs - Serving up a new lease of life”. ''Canon.'' Accessed on 22 January 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.canon.com.sg/thinkbig/eighteen-chefs-serving-up-a-new-lease-of-life </ref> The restaurant menu also offers a range of dishes stemming from Asian and Western cuisines such as Salted Egg Crispy Chicken and Eighteen Angus Beef Burger.<ref>Accessed on 23 January 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.eighteenchefs.com/wp-content/uploads//2018/10/GrandMenu2018B.pdf </ref> The restaurant’s affordable meal sets explained the success of ''Eighteen Chefs'' in 2008 despite the then gloomy Singapore economy.<ref>Huang, Lijie. “Former drug addict cooking up social change”. ''The Straits Times''. April 14, 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/former-drug-addict-cooking-up-social-change </ref> For instance, student meals, consisting of a pasta or cheese baked rice, a drink and ice-cream was reduced from SGD$7.80 to SGD$6.40.
In 2009, Benny opened 3 more outlets at Yishun, Tiong Bahru and Buona Vista. However within a year, 2 of these outlets had to be shut down due to poor business. Despite these early financial troubles, the restaurants were earning more than S$750,000 per month and more than S$10 million annually by 2014.<ref>Huang, Lijie. “[https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/former-drug-addict-cooking-up-social-change Former drug addict cooking up social change]”. ''The Straits Times''. April 14, 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019.</ref> Between 2007 and 2014, Benny increased his staff’s wages from S$1,100 to S$1,300. As of January 2019, there are 12 Eighteen Chefs outlets islandwide spanning from heartland areas such as Serangoon to shopping districts like Orchard and Bugis.<ref>"[http://www.eighteenchefs.com/index.php/about/eighteenchefs/ About]". ''Eighteen Chefs.'' Accessed on 23 January 2019. </ref>


==Career highlights==


In 2009, three more outlets were opened at Yishun, Tiong Bahru and Buona Vista. However within a year, the business faced severe losses. Two outlets were eventually closed for business in 2010. In light of the financial situation, Benny had to bargain on rental fees and took loans from financial institutions. The financial difficulties lasted for 6 months after which rental fees were settled punctually. By 2014, the restaurants were earning more than SGD$750,000 per month and more than SGD$10 million annually.<ref>Huang, Lijie. “Former drug addict cooking up social change”. ''The Straits Times''. April 14, 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/former-drug-addict-cooking-up-social-change</ref> Between 2007 and 2014, Benny increased his staff’s wages from SGD$1,100 to SGD$1,300. As of January 2019, there are 12 outlets islandwide spanning from heartland areas such as Serangoon to shopping districts such as Orchard and Bugis.<ref>Accessed on 23 January 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.eighteenchefs.com/index.php/about/eighteenchefs/ </ref>
===''Honest Good Food'' (2016)===
In December 2016, Benny published a cookbook titled “Honest Good Food: Bold Favours, Hearty Eats”. The book features 38 recipes inspired by Benny’s life experiences and the insights that he had gained from them.<ref>"[https://singapore.kinokuniya.com/bw/9789814771023 <nowiki>Honest Good Food : Bold Flavours, Hearty Eats [Hardcover]</nowiki>]"''. Kinokuniya Singapore''. Accessed on 31 January 2019. </ref> The book retails for S$32.00 on the Marshall Cavendish website.<ref>"[https://www.marshallcavendish.com/marshallcavendish/genref/Honest-Good-Food_B1028_Singapore.aspx Honest Good Food]"''. Marshall Cavendish.'' Accessed on 31 January 2019. </ref>


===Awards===
===Awards & accolades===
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Award/Title
!Awarding Organisation
!Refs.
|-
| rowspan="2" |2015
|Notable Award
|One Asia Awards 2015
|<ref>Narendra Aggarwal. "[https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/hub/one-asia-awards-2015/going-regional Going regional]". ''The Business Times''. February 4, 2016. Accessed on 8 January 2020.</ref>
|-
|Best Western Restaurant (Chain)
|RAS EPICUREAN STAR AWARD 2015
|<ref>Seah, May. "[https://www.todayonline.com/lifestyle/2015s-best-local-restaurants-named-ras-epicurean-star-awards 2015’s best local restaurants named at RAS Epicurean Star Awards]". ''Today.'' November 19, 2015. Accessed on 8 January 2020.</ref>
|-
|2013
|Emerging Enterprise Award
|The Business Times & OCBC Bank
|<ref>Sing, Melissa Gail. "[https://sg.asiatatler.com/life/hardcore-dreams-benny-se-teo Hardcore Dreams: Benny Se Teo]". ''Singapore Tatler''. June 16, 2014. Accessed on 8 January 2020.</ref>
|-
|2012
|Social Enterprise of the Year
|President's Challenge Social Enterprise Award (PCSEA)
|<ref>"[http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/20121211001/pcsea_factsheet_on_eighteen_chefs.pdf FACTSHEET EIGHTEEN CHEFS PTE LTD]". ''National Archives of Singapore''. Accessed on 23 January 2019. </ref><ref>Sing, Melissa Gail. "[https://sg.asiatatler.com/life/hardcore-dreams-benny-se-teo Hardcore Dreams: Benny Se Teo]". ''Singapore Tatler''. June 16, 2014. Accessed on 8 January 2020.</ref>
|-
|2010
|Simply Dining Award
| -
|<ref>"[http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/20121211001/pcsea_factsheet_on_eighteen_chefs.pdf FACTSHEET EIGHTEEN CHEFS PTE LTD]". ''National Archives of Singapore''. Accessed on 23 January 2019.</ref>
|-
|2010
|SIP Fellow Award
|Social Innovation Park
|<ref>"[http://www.socialinnovationpark.org/about-us/sip-awards/sip-fellows/ SIP Fellows]". ''Social Innovation Park''. Accessed on 8 January 2020.</ref><ref>"[http://www.socialinnovationpark.org/sip-hosts-china-students/ SIP Hosts China Students]". ''Social Innovation Park''. July 8, 2011. Accessed on 8 January 2020.</ref>
|-
|2009
|Spirit of Enterprise (Honoree)
|Spirit of Enterprise (SOE) Awards
|<ref>Sing, Melissa Gail. "[https://sg.asiatatler.com/life/hardcore-dreams-benny-se-teo Hardcore Dreams: Benny Se Teo]". ''Singapore Tatler''. June 16, 2014. Accessed on 8 January 2020.</ref>
|}
==Media appearances==
[[File:Benny Se Teo TEDx P&G Singapore.jpg|thumb|''Benny Se Teo on stage at TEDx P&G (2016). Photo credit to Benny Se Teo.'']]
[[File:Benny Se Teo TEDx P&G Singapore.jpg|thumb|''Benny Se Teo on stage at TEDx P&G (2016). Photo credit to Benny Se Teo.'']]
Following the 2010 crisis, ''Eighteen Chefs'' was rewarded with the “Simply Dining Award” in recognition for its outstanding dishes and customer services.<ref>"FACTSHEET EIGHTEEN CHEFS PTE LTD". ''National Archives of Singapore''. Accessed on 23 January 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/20121211001/pcsea_factsheet_on_eighteen_chefs.pdf </ref> Benny himself was bestowed the “Spirit of Enterprise” award in 2009 and “Social Innovation Park Fellow” award in 2010. Additionally, Benny was also featured in the Singapore Tourism Board’s “Uniquely Singapore” movement. After experiencing rejection by corporates due to his past criminal records, Benny became dedicated in recruiting ex-criminals and troubled youth.<ref>“Eighteen Chefs - Serving up a new lease of life”. ''Canon.'' Accessed on 22 January 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.canon.com.sg/thinkbig/eighteen-chefs-serving-up-a-new-lease-of-life </ref> In 2012, 35% of his staff were troubled youth and ex-offenders and by 2015, the numbers rose to 50%.<ref>“Meet the restaurateur who swapped a thug life for a kitchen knife”. ''CNN.'' January 3, 2015. Accessed on 23 January 2019. Retrieved from: https://edition.cnn.com/2014/11/27/world/asia/benny-se-teo-eighteen-chefs/ </ref> In 2012, he was rewarded with the “Singapore’s President’s Challenge Social Enterprise Award”.<ref>"FACTSHEET EIGHTEEN CHEFS PTE LTD". ''National Archives of Singapore''. Accessed on 23 January 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/20121211001/pcsea_factsheet_on_eighteen_chefs.pdf </ref> In 2014, he earned the “Emerging Enterprise Award”.<ref>Chi, Leisha. “Former convict cooks up social change with restaurant chain”. ''BBC News.'' 17 November 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-30077649 </ref>


==Media appearances==
===Interviews & features===
''Eighteen Chefs'' has been featured considerably by both articles and TV broadcasting channels such as Channel U, Suria and 8 Days magazine.<ref>"FACTSHEET EIGHTEEN CHEFS PTE LTD". ''National Archives of Singapore''. Accessed on 23 January 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/20121211001/pcsea_factsheet_on_eighteen_chefs.pdf </ref> He had been invited as a guest speaker for events such as TEDx P&G Singapore in 2016<ref>“TEDxP&GSingapore”. ''TEDx.'' Accessed on 31 January 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/20473 </ref> and TEDx JNJ Singapore the year before. He had also been invited for interviews from media companies both locally and globally.<ref>Chi, Leisha. “Former convict cooks up social change with restaurant chain”. ''BBC News.'' 17 November 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-30077649 </ref> One of his interviews on HK Apple Daily gained more than 190,000 views on Youtube.<ref>HK Apple Daily. “黑社會有個好老細　釋囚餐廳爆紅”. May 21, 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019. ''Youtube.'' Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4VPVLQla7I&t=49s </ref>
Benny Se Teo and Eighteen Chefs has been featured considerably by local publishing sites and TV broadcasting channels like Channel U, Suria and 8 Days magazine.<ref>"[http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/20121211001/pcsea_factsheet_on_eighteen_chefs.pdf FACTSHEET EIGHTEEN CHEFS PTE LTD]". ''National Archives of Singapore''. Accessed on 23 January 2019. </ref> He has also been invited for interviews by international media companies.<ref>Chi, Leisha. “[https://www.bbc.com/news/business-30077649 Former convict cooks up social change with restaurant chain]”. ''BBC News.'' 17 November 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019. </ref> One of his interviews on HK Apple Daily has more than 190,000 views on YouTube as of January 2019.<ref>HK Apple Daily. “[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4VPVLQla7I&t=49s 黑社會有個好老細　釋囚餐廳爆紅]”. ''YouTube.'' May 21, 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019. </ref>


===Events===
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Event
!Role
!Refs.
|-
|2016
|TEDx P&G Singapore
|Guest Speaker
|<ref>“[https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/20473 TEDxP&G Singapore]”. ''TEDx.'' Accessed on 31 January 2019. </ref>
|-
|2015
|TEDx JNJ Singapore
|Guest Speaker
|<ref>“[https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/20473 TEDxP&G Singapore]”. ''TEDx.'' Accessed on 31 January 2019.</ref>
|-
|2014
|Future Leaders Summit
|Guest Speaker
|<ref>Sing, Melissa Gail. "[https://sg.asiatatler.com/life/hardcore-dreams-benny-se-teo Hardcore Dreams: Benny Se Teo]". ''Singapore Tatler''. June 16, 2014. Accessed on 8 January 2020.</ref>
|}
==References / Citations==
==References / Citations==
<references />
<references />
[[Category:People of Interest]]
[[Category: Chefs]]

Latest revision as of 11:04, 10 November 2022

Benny Se Teo
Benny Se Teo profile.jpg
Born12 March 1960
Known forFounder of Eighteen Chefs
Spouse(s)Chan Mei Kam (m. 2014)

Benny Se Teo (12 March 1960) is a Singaporean chef and the founder of Eighteen Chefs.[1] In 2018, Benny Se Teo opened a new restaurant called The Meathouse by 18 chefs.

Background

Benny Se Teo's recipe book, Honest Good Food. Photo credit to LOCALBOOKS.sg.

Born in 1960, Benny Se Teo was raised in Chinatown, Singapore alongside 6 older siblings. Benny studied at Bukit Merah Secondary School. After failing his O’Levels, he decided to end his formal education.[2]

Encounters with drugs

Benny's father abused and trafficked opium. As a child, he helped his father to package the drug for his customers.[3] Benny started smoking marijuana as a teenager.[4] His over-dependence on drugs cost him 10 years in jail and drug rehabilitation centres.[5] After a near-death encounter in 1992, Benny decided to quit drugs for good.[6]

Early career

Following repeated rejections by companies due to his criminal record, Benny first worked as a freelance motorcycle courier.[7] By 2000, he had saved approximately S$20,000 from the job. In 2005, Benny co-founded the Chinese restaurant Goshen. However, the restaurant closed within a year due to poor management.[8]

Internship at Fifteen (2006)

In 2006, Benny secured a one-year internship at the UK-based restaurant, Fifteen. Owned by Jamie Oliver, Fifteen offers apprenticeships to underprivileged young people. Benny became the first Singaporean to work at Fifteen. He worked with the famous chef Gennaro Contaldo, who was recognised as Jamie Oliver’s mentor. Under Gennaro, Benny picked up cooking techniques and kitchen operation skills.[9]

Eighteen Chefs (2007 - present day)

Benny pictured in an Eighteen Chefs outlet. Photo from Singapore's Finest.
Benny Se Teo pictured in the Eighteen Chefs kitchen. Photo from Singapore Tatler.

Upon his return to Singapore in 2007, Benny opened the first Eighteen Chefs outlet at Eastpoint Mall. Eighteen Chefs hires ex-convicts and youths-at-risk, allowing these individuals to a means to support themselves financially and gain work experience.[10] In 2012, 35% of his staff were troubled youth and ex-offenders and by 2015, the numbers rose to 50%.[11]

Growth

In 2009, Benny opened 3 more outlets at Yishun, Tiong Bahru and Buona Vista. However within a year, 2 of these outlets had to be shut down due to poor business. Despite these early financial troubles, the restaurants were earning more than S$750,000 per month and more than S$10 million annually by 2014.[12] Between 2007 and 2014, Benny increased his staff’s wages from S$1,100 to S$1,300. As of January 2019, there are 12 Eighteen Chefs outlets islandwide spanning from heartland areas such as Serangoon to shopping districts like Orchard and Bugis.[13]

Career highlights

Honest Good Food (2016)

In December 2016, Benny published a cookbook titled “Honest Good Food: Bold Favours, Hearty Eats”. The book features 38 recipes inspired by Benny’s life experiences and the insights that he had gained from them.[14] The book retails for S$32.00 on the Marshall Cavendish website.[15]

Awards & accolades

Year Award/Title Awarding Organisation Refs.
2015 Notable Award One Asia Awards 2015 [16]
Best Western Restaurant (Chain) RAS EPICUREAN STAR AWARD 2015 [17]
2013 Emerging Enterprise Award The Business Times & OCBC Bank [18]
2012 Social Enterprise of the Year President's Challenge Social Enterprise Award (PCSEA) [19][20]
2010 Simply Dining Award - [21]
2010 SIP Fellow Award Social Innovation Park [22][23]
2009 Spirit of Enterprise (Honoree) Spirit of Enterprise (SOE) Awards [24]

Media appearances

Benny Se Teo on stage at TEDx P&G (2016). Photo credit to Benny Se Teo.

Interviews & features

Benny Se Teo and Eighteen Chefs has been featured considerably by local publishing sites and TV broadcasting channels like Channel U, Suria and 8 Days magazine.[25] He has also been invited for interviews by international media companies.[26] One of his interviews on HK Apple Daily has more than 190,000 views on YouTube as of January 2019.[27]

Events

Year Event Role Refs.
2016 TEDx P&G Singapore Guest Speaker [28]
2015 TEDx JNJ Singapore Guest Speaker [29]
2014 Future Leaders Summit Guest Speaker [30]

References / Citations

  1. ↑ “Eighteen Chefs - Serving up a new lease of life”. Canon. Accessed on 22 January 2019.
  2. ↑ Huang, Lijie. “Former drug addict cooking up social change”. The Straits Times. April 14, 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019.
  3. ↑ “Singapore Restaurant ‘Eighteen Chefs’ Employs Ex-addicts and Convicts in Addiction Recovery”. The Cabin Singapore. November 13, 2015. Accessed on 22 January 2019.
  4. ↑ Huang, Lijie. “Former drug addict cooking up social change”. The Straits Times. April 14, 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019.
  5. ↑ "CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY". Singapore's Finest. Accessed on 9 January 2020.
  6. ↑ Huang, Lijie. “Former drug addict cooking up social change”. The Straits Times. April 14, 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019.
  7. ↑ “Singapore Restaurant ‘Eighteen Chefs’ Employs Ex-addicts and Convicts in Addiction Recovery”. The Cabin Singapore. November 13, 2015. Accessed on 22 January 2019.
  8. ↑ Huang, Lijie. “Former drug addict cooking up social change”. The Straits Times. April 14, 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019.
  9. ↑ Chi, Leisha. “Former convict cooks up social change with restaurant chain”. BBC News. 17 November 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019.
  10. ↑ “Eighteen Chefs - Serving up a new lease of life”. Canon. Accessed on 22 January 2019.
  11. ↑ “Meet the restaurateur who swapped a thug life for a kitchen knife”. CNN. January 3, 2015. Accessed on 23 January 2019.
  12. ↑ Huang, Lijie. “Former drug addict cooking up social change”. The Straits Times. April 14, 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019.
  13. ↑ "About". Eighteen Chefs. Accessed on 23 January 2019.
  14. ↑ "Honest Good Food : Bold Flavours, Hearty Eats [Hardcover]". Kinokuniya Singapore. Accessed on 31 January 2019.
  15. ↑ "Honest Good Food". Marshall Cavendish. Accessed on 31 January 2019.
  16. ↑ Narendra Aggarwal. "Going regional". The Business Times. February 4, 2016. Accessed on 8 January 2020.
  17. ↑ Seah, May. "2015’s best local restaurants named at RAS Epicurean Star Awards". Today. November 19, 2015. Accessed on 8 January 2020.
  18. ↑ Sing, Melissa Gail. "Hardcore Dreams: Benny Se Teo". Singapore Tatler. June 16, 2014. Accessed on 8 January 2020.
  19. ↑ "FACTSHEET EIGHTEEN CHEFS PTE LTD". National Archives of Singapore. Accessed on 23 January 2019.
  20. ↑ Sing, Melissa Gail. "Hardcore Dreams: Benny Se Teo". Singapore Tatler. June 16, 2014. Accessed on 8 January 2020.
  21. ↑ "FACTSHEET EIGHTEEN CHEFS PTE LTD". National Archives of Singapore. Accessed on 23 January 2019.
  22. ↑ "SIP Fellows". Social Innovation Park. Accessed on 8 January 2020.
  23. ↑ "SIP Hosts China Students". Social Innovation Park. July 8, 2011. Accessed on 8 January 2020.
  24. ↑ Sing, Melissa Gail. "Hardcore Dreams: Benny Se Teo". Singapore Tatler. June 16, 2014. Accessed on 8 January 2020.
  25. ↑ "FACTSHEET EIGHTEEN CHEFS PTE LTD". National Archives of Singapore. Accessed on 23 January 2019.
  26. ↑ Chi, Leisha. “Former convict cooks up social change with restaurant chain”. BBC News. 17 November 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019.
  27. ↑ HK Apple Daily. “黑社會有個好老細　釋囚餐廳爆紅”. YouTube. May 21, 2014. Accessed on 23 January 2019.
  28. ↑ “TEDxP&G Singapore”. TEDx. Accessed on 31 January 2019.
  29. ↑ “TEDxP&G Singapore”. TEDx. Accessed on 31 January 2019.
  30. ↑ Sing, Melissa Gail. "Hardcore Dreams: Benny Se Teo". Singapore Tatler. June 16, 2014. Accessed on 8 January 2020.
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