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JANICE WONG

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JANICE WONG is the eponymous sweet concept brand created by dessert chef Janice Wong. Launched in November 2014,[1][2] the brand boasts “interactive, edible art” that serves as a feast for the eyes, imagination and palate.[3] JANICE WONG sweets are available online (website) and in outlets across Singapore, Macau, Tokyo and Harrods in London.[4]

The JANICE WONG logo. Photo from JANICE WONG SINGAPORE.

Origins

Janice describes her eponymous brand as a “[marriage] of four disciplines… art, pastry, fashion and design”.[5] She wanted to scale up her business thereby venturing into food manufacturing and setting up JANICE WONG.[6]


Janice’s first foray into food manufacturing was with developing new sweets, such as healthy pastilles made from bamboo shoots. However, she lacked the resources to sustain production at a large scale even with a hospital keen to order the healthy pastilles.[7]


Janice then partnered with Manoj M. Murjani, the co-founder of TWG Tea, whom she had met at a Tom Ford event. He wanted to invest in her brand and as they shared the same vision, Janice was on board with the idea. Manoj serves as chairman for JANICE WONG.[8]

Branding

 
Janice Wong's assortment of chocolates. Photo from Janice Wong's online store.

Janice shared that using her name as the brand name was a bold move as most pastry or sweet brands had a European name and tended to be male. On the other hand, she was a woman with an Asian surname.[9]


Janice previously tinkered with other names for the brand, such as Sweet Shop, Janice Sweets, Shop JW, all with many variations and copious designs representing the different names before settling with JANICE WONG.[10]


The brand’s logo design is her signature. In an interview with Digital Senior, Janice mentions that it is meant to be organic, to symbolise how she tries to create and inspire.[11] The font for the logo’s typeface was created especially for Janice. Created by Mark de Winne and named Imagination Sans, the font is representative of Janice’s character - 50 percent play and 50 percent consistency.[12]


The brand's products feature bright colours that are meant to exude playfulness.

Growth

 
JANICE WONG's 2018 art installation in collaboration with the DFS Group. Photo from Asian Journeys.
 
The Janice Wong counter at Changi Airport.

JANICE WONG started as a roving sweets shop, starting at Gardens By The Bay’s Christmas Wonderland from 29 November 2014 to 21 December 2014. From 22 December to 14 February 2014, they moved to ION Orchard’s Level 1 Atrium for three months as a pop-up store.[13][14]


In an interview with TODAY, Janice mentions that the pop-up store concept allowed her team to “do things by hand” with the quantities kept small so that she could see her customers’ reactions up close. Janice and her team also created new flavours for the pop-up store weekly.[15]

Growth in Singapore

Date opened Location Details
August 2016 National Museum of Singapore JANICE WONG Singapore's first full-fledged restaurant.[16] The restaurant ceased operations after its lease expired in June 2019.[17]
May 2018 Raffles City Shopping Centre The outlet at Raffles City sells JANICE WONG confectionaries and signature chocolates.[18]
February 2019 DFS T Galleria[19] In 2018, JANICE WONG collaborated with the DFS Group to host an art installation, “From Singapore With Love”. It featured a bed of durian and two edible walls lined with chocolate tiles.[20]
March 2019 Changi Airport Terminal 3 The Changi Airport outlet features JANICE WONG signatures and three special edition chocolate bars - Ruby Chocolate, Sea Salt and Palm Sugar - made exclusively for Changi Airport.[21]
- Paragon Showcases the Singapore Signature Series of 5 flavours - Chilli Padi, Gula Melaka Pandan, Kaffir Lime Caramel, Laksa Leaf LemonGrass, BBQ Bakkwa Pork praline poprocks.

Expansion overseas

In 2019, JANICE WONG Japan Company has been set up as part of the brand’s long-term plan to expand into the Japanese market.[22]

Date opened Location Details
2017 Regent Taipei JANICE WONG partnered with Regent Taipei to showcase the brand’s Christmas products at Regent Taipei. This included Christmas hampers and boxes of chocolates.[23]
January 2018 MGM Cotai resort, Macau[24] The 68-seater restaurant features a 23-foot chocolate fountain in the hotel’s pastry shop that is positioned in the middle of the lobby.[25][26]
November 2018 Harrods, London[27] JANICE WONG's signature 'Crayon Box' and 'The Chocolate Paint Jar' are available for purchase at the London store.[28]
May 2019 WONDERBOX, Incheon, South Korea[29] WONDERBOX is an indoor theme park in South Korea. The JANICE WONG outlet is located on WONDERBOX’s Chocolate Street.[30]

Product innovation

 
The packaging for Janice Wong's Toffee Popcorn tea. Photo from Janice Wong's online store.

Each JANICE WONG outlet features newly innovated products that are designed especially for each outlet. JANICE WONG also launches limited edition products during festive seasons. The brand also sells teas with unconventional flavours.

Product Image Notes
Chocolate Crayons  Photo from Janice Wong's online store. The chocolate crayons come with edible rice paper.
Chocolate Paint Jar  Photo from Janice Wong's online store. The chocolate paint jar set comes with lollipop sticks for the melted chocolate.
Box of 9. Signature Singapore series  Photo from Janice Wong's online store. The 9 flavours are as such - Chilli Padi, Gula Melaka Pandan, Kaffir Lime Caramel, Laksa Leaf LemonGrass, BBQ Bakkwa Pork praline poprocks, Jasmine Milk Tea, GingerFlower, Mango Curry, Kopi. Coffee.

Chinese New Year

 
JANICE WONG's chocolate piggy bank. Photo from Nookmag.
Year Festive items
2019 Peanut cookies[31]

Strawberry chocolate love letters[32]

Chocolate piggy bank[33]

2018 Pineapple tarts (traditional and dark chocolate coated) and caramel popcorn cookies[34][35]
2017[36] Pineapple tarts with a salted caramel pineapple paste. Comes in two flavours - traditional pineapple and banana pineapple.

Pineapple tarts dipped in 70 per cent dark chocolate.

Bak Kwa Chocolate Chip Crispy Cookies.

2016[37] Salted caramel pineapple tarts shaped like macarons.

Kueh Bangkit with dark chocolate.

Banana pineapple tarts.

Chinese Sweet Collection box set, featuring flavours such as white truffle with mung bean.[38]

Mid-Autumn Festival

 
JANICE WONG's hand-painted chocolate shell mooncakes. Photo from Janice Wong's Instagram.
Year Festive items
2019 Snow skin mooncakes inspired by the nine prefectures of Japan, featuring flavours like kinako (roasted soy flour) from Hokkaido, ume (Asian plum) from Wakayama, hojicha (roasted Japanese green tea) from Kyoto and chestnut from Kumamoto.
2018 Snow skin mooncakes with hand-painted chocolate shells.[39]
2017 Snow skin mooncakes featuring flavours like Gula Melaka Pandan, Salted Caramel, White Truffle, Salted egg, Jasmine Tea, Champagne, Praline Poprocks, Yuzu Citrus and Strawberry Shortbread.[40]
2016 Four-layered mooncake featuring flavours like BahKwa Poprocks, Ginger Flower Rojak, Gula Melaka Pandan Mochi.[41]
2015 Mini lotus paste snow skin mooncakes featuring flavours like Laksa Leaf Lemongrass, Bah Kwa Praline Poprocks, Gula Melaka Pandan Kaya, Chendol Red Bean, Soya Sauce Ginger and Condense Milk Truffle.[42]

Christmas

 
JANICE WONG's 2018 Christmas cakes.
Year Festive items
2018 Christmas log cake[43]

Christmas Chestnut Swiss Roll[44]

Christmas Cakes inspired by ornaments[45]

2017 Christmas Surprise Chocolate Balls[46]
2016 Macallan Special Whisky Cake[47] and Chocolate Art[48]
2015 Classic candy cane lollipop

Spherical shapes in seasonal flavours like oraline Christmas ruby and green mistletoe.[49]

References / Citations

  1. ↑ Wong, Velda. “Your World Is Your Imagination: Exclusive Interview with Singapore's Very Own Creative Chef Janice Wong.” Digital Senior. N.d. Accessed September 2, 2019. Retrieved from:  https://digitalsenior.sg/chef-janice-wong/
  2. ↑ JANICE WONG. “Janice Wong.” Janice Wong. n.d. Accessed September 5, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.janicewong.com.sg/janice-wong
  3. ↑ Waun, Sim Ee. “Make Art, Not Dessert, with JANICE WONG.” The Star Online. January 31, 2015. Accessed September 3, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/food/news/2015/01/31/make-art-not-dessert-with-janice-wong
  4. ↑ Tan, Rachel. “5 Questions With Janice Wong On Creating Unique Experiences.” MICHELIN Guide. May 9, 2019. Accessed September 2, 2019. Retrieved from: https://guide.michelin.com/sg/en/article/people/5-questions-with-janice-wong
  5. ↑ Zhu, Julie. “Q&A: Janice Wong, Chef: 'The Janice Wong Brand Is Something Very Unique'.” MACAU DAILY TIMES. June 29, 2017. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://macaudailytimes.com.mo/qa-janice-wong-chef-janice-wong-brand-something-unique.html
  6. ↑ Chen, Loretta. Madonnas and Mavericks - Power Women in Singapore. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish International, 2017.
  7. ↑ Chen, Loretta. Madonnas and Mavericks - Power Women in Singapore. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish International, 2017.
  8. ↑ Chen, Loretta. Madonnas and Mavericks - Power Women in Singapore. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish International, 2017.
  9. ↑ Chen, Loretta. Madonnas and Mavericks - Power Women in Singapore. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish International, 2017.
  10. ↑ Chen, Loretta. Madonnas and Mavericks - Power Women in Singapore. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish International, 2017.
  11. ↑ Wong, Velda. “Your World Is Your Imagination: Exclusive Interview with Singapore's Very Own Creative Chef Janice Wong.” Digital Senior. N.d. Accessed September 2, 2019. Retrieved from:  https://digitalsenior.sg/chef-janice-wong/
  12. ↑ Chen, Loretta. Madonnas and Mavericks - Power Women in Singapore. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish International, 2017.
  13. ↑ Tan, Annette. “Chef Janice Wong Has a New Pastry Wonderland.” TODAYonline. December 19, 2014. Accessed September 3, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.todayonline.com/lifestyle/food/chef-janice-wong-has-new-pasty-wonderland
  14. ↑ “A Sweet Pop-up by Janice Wong”. InSing.com. Accessed September 5, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.insing.com/events/a-sweet-pop-up-by-janice-wong/id-78910000/
  15. ↑ Tan, Annette. “Chef Janice Wong Has a New Pastry Wonderland”. TODAYonline. December 19, 2014. Accessed September 3, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.todayonline.com/lifestyle/food/chef-janice-wong-has-new-pasty-wonderland
  16. ↑ Mendoza, Don. “Dessert Maestro Janice Wong to Open First Full-Fledged Restaurant in S'pore.” TODAYonline. June 21, 2016. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.todayonline.com/lifestyle/food/dessert-maestro-janice-wong-open-first-full-fledged-restaurant-spore
  17. ↑ Inside Retail Singapore. “Janice Wong Continues Expansion Abroad.” Inside Retail Singapore. June 4, 2019. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://insideretail.sg/2019/06/04/janice-wong-continues-expansion-abroad/
  18. ↑ Wong, Velda. “Your World Is Your Imagination: Exclusive Interview with Singapore's Very Own Creative Chef Janice Wong.” Digital Senior. Accessed September 2, 2019. Retrieved:  https://digitalsenior.sg/chef-janice-wong/
  19. ↑ Inside Retail Singapore. “Janice Wong Continues Expansion Abroad.” Inside Retail Singapore. June 4, 2019. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://insideretail.sg/2019/06/04/janice-wong-continues-expansion-abroad/
  20. ↑ Asian Journeys. “DFS Group Hosts 'From Singapore With Love' to Launch Global Festival of Flavour And Culture.” Asian Journeys. July 10, 2018. Accessed September 5, 2019. Retrieved from: https://asianjourneys.com.sg/10-Jul-2018/dfs-group-hosts-from-singapore-with-love-to-launch-global-festival-of-flavour-and-culture
  21. ↑ Davitt, Dermot. “Janice Wong Opens First Airport Store at Singapore Changi T3.”The Moodie Davitt Report. March 28, 2019. Accessed September 3, 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.moodiedavittreport.com/janice-wong-opens-first-airport-store-at-singapore-changi-t3/
  22. ↑ Inside Retail Singapore. “Janice Wong Continues Expansion Abroad.” Inside Retail Singapore. June 4, 2019. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://insideretail.sg/2019/06/04/janice-wong-continues-expansion-abroad/
  23. ↑ Wong, Janice. “JANICE WONG chocolates available in Regent Taipei for Christmas 2017”. Facebook. December 1, 2017. Accessed September 5, 2019.
  24. ↑ Keegan, Matthew. “First Look Inside Macau's MGM Cotai Multibillion Dollar Resort.” The Culture Trip. February 14, 2018. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/articles/first-look-inside-macaus-mgm-cotai-multibillion-dollar-resort/
  25. ↑ Roy, Priyanka. “MGM Cotai: One of the Most Gorgeous Addresses in This Part of the World.” Telegraph India. June 24, 2019. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/mgm-cotai-one-of-the-most-gorgeous-addresses-in-this-part-of-the-world/cid/1693095
  26. ↑ Keegan, Matthew. “First Look Inside Macau's MGM Cotai Multibillion Dollar Resort.” The Culture Trip. February 14, 2018. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/articles/first-look-inside-macaus-mgm-cotai-multibillion-dollar-resort/
  27. ↑ Yap, Wylene. “Janice Wong's Chocolates Can Be Found at Harrods Now.” High Net Worth. November 30, 2018. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.hnworth.com/article/2018/11/30/janice-wongs-chocolates-can-be-found-at-harrods-now/
  28. ↑ Zhu, Michelle. “Sweet Success.” The Edge Singapore. February 7, 2019. Accessed September 3, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.theedgesingapore.com/list-lifestyle/sweet-success
  29. ↑ “Store.” JANICE WONG SINGAPORE. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.janicewong.com.sg/store
  30. ↑ TTG Asia. “Night-Time Theme Park Opens in Seoul.” TTG Asia. April 11, 2019. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.ttgasia.com/2019/04/11/night-time-theme-park-opens-in-seoul/
  31. ↑ Tan, Rebecca Lynne. “Food Picks: Modern Sushi Bar and Highball Den in Stanley Street.” The Straits Times. January 18, 2019. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/food-picks-modern-sushi-bar-and-highball-den-in-stanley-street
  32. ↑ Tan, Rebecca Lynne. “Food Picks: Modern Sushi Bar and Highball Den in Stanley Street.” The Straits Times. January 18, 2019. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/food-picks-modern-sushi-bar-and-highball-den-in-stanley-street
  33. ↑ Quek, Eunice. “The Year to Pig out: 20 Dishes to Try.” The Straits Times. January 13, 2019. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/the-year-to-pig-out
  34. ↑ @janicewong2am. “Chinese New Year cookies”. Instagram. February 17, 2018. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/BfSeTxthj9M/
  35. ↑ Wong, Janice. “CNY Special dark chocolate coated pineapple tarts”. Facebook. February 4, 2018. Accessed September 5, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/chefjanicewong/posts/753675291494982
  36. ↑ Devi, Reena. “Impress Your Guests with These Novel Chinese New Year Snacks.” TODAYonline. January 6, 2017. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.todayonline.com/entertainment/arts/impress-your-guests-these-novel-chinese-new-year-snacks
  37. ↑ “Chinese New Year 2016: Growing appetite for unconventional food”. Channel NewsAsia. February 7, 2016. Accessed September 5, 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  38. ↑ Mendoza, Don. “Novel Takeaways for Chinese New Year.” TODAYonline. January 27, 2016. Accessed September 5, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.todayonline.com/lifestyle/food/novel-takeaways-chinese-new-year
  39. ↑ @janicewong2am. “Snowskin mooncakes encasing hand-painted chocolate shells”. Instagram. August 1, 2018. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl7QI4HBTwV/
  40. ↑ epicure. “5 Last-Minute Mooncakes to Buy in Singapore: Epicure - Life's Refinements.” epicure. September 14, 2017. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.epicureasia.com/food/3049/5-last-minute-mooncakes-to-buy-in-singapore/
  41. ↑ Mendoza, Don. “6 New Mooncakes That Impress.” TODAYonline. September 2, 2016. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.todayonline.com/lifestyle/food/6-new-mooncakes-impress
  42. ↑ Mendoza, Don. “Soya Sauce or Ginger Flower Flavoured Mooncakes, Anyone?” TODAYonline. September 3, 2015. Accessed September 5, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.todayonline.com/lifestyle/food/soya-sauce-or-ginger-flower-flavoured-mooncakes-anyone
  43. ↑ @janicewong2am. “Christmas Log Cake”. Instagram. December 23, 2018. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/BrucfyVni47/
  44. ↑ @janicewong2am. “Christmas Chestnut Swiss Roll”. Instagram. December 24, 2018. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/BrxiunnHPbH/
  45. ↑ @janicewong2am. “Janice Wong cakes. Inspired by Christmas tree ornaments JW team SINGAPORE have created four different and unique cakes for the holiday season.” Instagram. December 4, 2018. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq95wouHeEv/
  46. ↑ @janicewong2am. “Christmas Surprise Chocolate Balls”. Instagram. December 24, 2018. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc6UuXBhOsy/
  47. ↑ @janicewong2am. “MacAllan special whisky cakes”. Instagram. December 19, 2016. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/BOMvATLDtPc/
  48. ↑ @janicewong2am. “Chocolate art”. Instagram. December 17, 2016. Accessed September 4, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/BOHsQ2CjZF2/
  49. ↑ Sim, Ee Waun. “Make Art, Not Dessert, with JANICE WONG.” The Star Online. January 31, 2015. Accessed September 3, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/food/news/2015/01/31/make-art-not-dessert-with-janice-wong
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