 | |
| Brownice Location: 8 Sin Ming Road, Sin Ming Centre, #01-03 Contact: 64566431 Opening Hours: Mon-Thur 1pm-11pm, Fri-Sun 1pm-12am. |
Denise Lim Q&A
Before you started Brownice, what was your background?
I was actually an Engineer, with a degree in ‘Electrical Engineering’. So, I was working as an engineer for 6-7 years before deciding to open Brownice.
What cause you to make such a drastic career change?
First of all, Brownice just started as a hobby, it was never meant to be a career. Making ice cream and desserts was just something I did for fun on the weekends. I was really interested in making desserts healthier, so Brownice was almost spontaneously created from this hobby.
First of all, Brownice just started as a hobby, it was never meant to be a career. Making ice cream and desserts was just something I did for fun on the weekends. I was really interested in making desserts healthier, so Brownice was almost spontaneously created from this hobby.
Do you have any formal cooking/dessert making experience?
For me, cooking at the beginning was just playing and experimenting, and from this I gradually learnt more and more. I also got an Italian gelato maker to teach me how to make traditional gelatos. But in terms of formal training, I don’t have any.
For me, cooking at the beginning was just playing and experimenting, and from this I gradually learnt more and more. I also got an Italian gelato maker to teach me how to make traditional gelatos. But in terms of formal training, I don’t have any.
Why did you focus purely on desserts?
The answer to this is simple – I love desserts! I noticed that it is quite difficult to find healthy/vegan desserts in Singapore. So, I felt that Brownice would provide something to customers that they can’t get anywhere else in Singapore.
The answer to this is simple – I love desserts! I noticed that it is quite difficult to find healthy/vegan desserts in Singapore. So, I felt that Brownice would provide something to customers that they can’t get anywhere else in Singapore.
Were you born vegetarian/vegan?
My whole family are not vegetarians, so I definitely wasn’t born vegetarian. My conversion to a vegetarian diet happened gradually. It all started on a vacation to New Zealand. I saw the farm animals close up and grew a deeper connection with them. I slowly dropped one meat at a time, until I eventually became 100% vegetarian. After that, I made quite a fast change to totally vegan in 2010.
My whole family are not vegetarians, so I definitely wasn’t born vegetarian. My conversion to a vegetarian diet happened gradually. It all started on a vacation to New Zealand. I saw the farm animals close up and grew a deeper connection with them. I slowly dropped one meat at a time, until I eventually became 100% vegetarian. After that, I made quite a fast change to totally vegan in 2010.
 |
| The Classic Thinner Pizza $9.80 |
What does the future hold for Brownice?
Of course we hope to continue serving our healthier desserts to more and more people in Singapore. We do also hope to increase our menu to add more desserts. We have also recently added some savoury items to our Sin Ming Centre outlet, such as vegan pizza.
Of course we hope to continue serving our healthier desserts to more and more people in Singapore. We do also hope to increase our menu to add more desserts. We have also recently added some savoury items to our Sin Ming Centre outlet, such as vegan pizza.
I hear you have recently opened a second Brownice in Singapore. Can you tell us about this?
Yes that is correct. This second outlet opened up in June 2013. This outlet is smaller in size than Sin Ming Centre, and only sells dessert items.
Yes that is correct. This second outlet opened up in June 2013. This outlet is smaller in size than Sin Ming Centre, and only sells dessert items.
What would you say is the target audience of Brownice?
When I very first started making ice cream, I actually originally intended for it to be aimed at lactose intolerant individuals or those who had other dietary restrictions. But subsequently, I realised that the bulk majority of our customers are coming from the mass market, and just simply want to enjoy desserts, but without it effecting their health in a negative way.
When I very first started making ice cream, I actually originally intended for it to be aimed at lactose intolerant individuals or those who had other dietary restrictions. But subsequently, I realised that the bulk majority of our customers are coming from the mass market, and just simply want to enjoy desserts, but without it effecting their health in a negative way.
What flour do you use in your waffles?
I use organic light wheat flour.
I use organic light wheat flour.
How did you know how to use brown rice as the foundation for ice creams?
It was all experimentation. I kept testing out making ice cream with nut milk, soy milk, coconut milk, oat milk – But I found that brown rice milk worked perfectly. Also, brown rice is a healthiest option so I really wanted to use that as the base for all the ice creams.
Want more information on Brownice? - Here is my full review of their Sin Ming Centre outlet!
It was all experimentation. I kept testing out making ice cream with nut milk, soy milk, coconut milk, oat milk – But I found that brown rice milk worked perfectly. Also, brown rice is a healthiest option so I really wanted to use that as the base for all the ice creams.
Want more information on Brownice? - Here is my full review of their Sin Ming Centre outlet!
 |
| Waffles $3.50 (+ $3.80 per sccoop of ice cream) |