Festive International Feast Buffet Dinner “Come home to us” Christmas Cheer is taking place at 92 Cafe & Bakery, decorated by Heavenly Delights, Yule Tide Wishes, Christmas Carlos and romantic classical music for your enjoyment. We are preparing you a Christmas Feast with Norwegian smoked Salmon, Roast Rack of Lamb, Glazed Ham Famous Roast Turkey, Pate and Delicious Entrees.
Special Exclusive Price for ONLY Baht @ 990- net per Adult with free flow of draught Heineken beer ONLY @ Baht 500- net per Children We would like to invite you to join us with your family and friends to celebrate the good life along together with Santa and Christmas Spirit.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
eBay Launches “The Inside Source” New Digital Magazine Illuminates Consumer Trends, Pop Culture Obsessions and Shopping Stories in a Uniquely eBay Way
eBay, the world’s largest online marketplace, today announced the launch of The Inside Source (www.theinsidesource.com), a new digital magazine for inspired shoppers featuring insights and stories based on what more than 89 million active users are searching for, buying and selling on eBay. The Inside Source will offer fresh daily content with original articles, analysis and opinions from journalists as well as eBay community contributors.
“Imagine that every day, every person in the United States tells eBay what they want,” said Alan Marks, Senior Vice President of Global Communications for eBay. “That’s the power of how many searches occur on eBay every day. Now add insights gleaned from almost 200 million live product listings, the stories of more than 25 million sellers and the several million purchases people make each day on eBay, and you get The Inside Source – a perspective on shopping trends, pop culture obsessions and the stuff people love, that only eBay can offer.”
While presented by eBay, The Inside Source editorial content will be directed and managed by an accomplished editorial team, led by Meridith Barnett, previously Director of Digital Media for Lifetime Digital. Editorial content will cover a variety of lifestyle topics, including fashion, technology, automotive, home and garden, pop culture and sustainability.
In addition to original content, The Inside Source will also feature sections that will provide a snapshot of real time eBay Marketplace activity, including most-watched merchandise and most searched terms. Early contributors include writers and editors who have worked at and contributed to Lucky, W, Allure, Daily Candy, and The New Yorker. To discover the latest trends now, visit http://www.theinsidesource.com.
“Imagine that every day, every person in the United States tells eBay what they want,” said Alan Marks, Senior Vice President of Global Communications for eBay. “That’s the power of how many searches occur on eBay every day. Now add insights gleaned from almost 200 million live product listings, the stories of more than 25 million sellers and the several million purchases people make each day on eBay, and you get The Inside Source – a perspective on shopping trends, pop culture obsessions and the stuff people love, that only eBay can offer.”
While presented by eBay, The Inside Source editorial content will be directed and managed by an accomplished editorial team, led by Meridith Barnett, previously Director of Digital Media for Lifetime Digital. Editorial content will cover a variety of lifestyle topics, including fashion, technology, automotive, home and garden, pop culture and sustainability.
In addition to original content, The Inside Source will also feature sections that will provide a snapshot of real time eBay Marketplace activity, including most-watched merchandise and most searched terms. Early contributors include writers and editors who have worked at and contributed to Lucky, W, Allure, Daily Candy, and The New Yorker. To discover the latest trends now, visit http://www.theinsidesource.com.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Taiyaki to the rescue
Japan's economy may be stagnating, but sales of a traditional, fishshaped sweet snack are going along swimmingly, thanks to its small price and auspicious name.
Taiyaki, which means baked sea bream, is a baked pancake stuffed with a sweet bean jam and served hot.
"Tai", Japanese for sea bream, sounds similar to the word for happiness and with a price tag of as little as 130 yen (48 baht), the snack, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, is making a lot of people, especially the elderly,happy.
"Taiyaki has been around from ancient days but I still want to eat one once in a while," said Masako Kano, a 69 yearold housewife who was queuing for the pancake outside a new store.
"Compared to other cakes, which normally cost around 200 yen to 300 yen, its price is attractive," she added.
Fancy Corporation, which operates a chain of taiyaki stores in Japan, recently opened its 45th outlet in Kawasaki, just south of Tokyo.
Representative Eriko Yano said the snack was as popular as ever, even during the economic downturn, and was core to the Fancy Corporation's business.
"In this economic environment, customers prefer products that are lowpriced, safe and reliable. I think that's why the number of our stores is growing,"Yano said."As people cut back on luxuries, such as dessert, taiyaki has become even more popular."
Japan's snack industry association said that while the popularity of expensive confectionery products was waning, the demand for low-priced snacks such as taiyaki was rising.
Economist Toshihiro Uchida at UFJ Research and Consulting said taiyaki's popularity was especially conspicuous in areas with many export-related manufacturers that were affected by the global financial crisis.
"In times like these, products that achieve a high cost to performance ratio rise in popularity. Taiyaki is not only cheap, it is filling and its sweetness satisfies people who are tired and stressed because people tend to crave sweet flav-ours when times are hard," Uchida said.
Taiyaki stores are also a relatively cheap business to set up, with shops requiring an investment of about 10 million yen, considerably less than a restaurant, which can cost up to five times more, Fancy Corporation's Yano said.
"I think the taiyaki boom has to do a lot with the capability that you can buy one or two pieces at a time. The decrease in our income has been serious," said Michiko Hoshi, a 76 year-old-woman as she queued up to buy the snack.
Taiyaki, which means baked sea bream, is a baked pancake stuffed with a sweet bean jam and served hot.
"Tai", Japanese for sea bream, sounds similar to the word for happiness and with a price tag of as little as 130 yen (48 baht), the snack, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, is making a lot of people, especially the elderly,happy.
"Taiyaki has been around from ancient days but I still want to eat one once in a while," said Masako Kano, a 69 yearold housewife who was queuing for the pancake outside a new store.
"Compared to other cakes, which normally cost around 200 yen to 300 yen, its price is attractive," she added.
Fancy Corporation, which operates a chain of taiyaki stores in Japan, recently opened its 45th outlet in Kawasaki, just south of Tokyo.
Representative Eriko Yano said the snack was as popular as ever, even during the economic downturn, and was core to the Fancy Corporation's business.
"In this economic environment, customers prefer products that are lowpriced, safe and reliable. I think that's why the number of our stores is growing,"Yano said."As people cut back on luxuries, such as dessert, taiyaki has become even more popular."
Japan's snack industry association said that while the popularity of expensive confectionery products was waning, the demand for low-priced snacks such as taiyaki was rising.
Economist Toshihiro Uchida at UFJ Research and Consulting said taiyaki's popularity was especially conspicuous in areas with many export-related manufacturers that were affected by the global financial crisis.
"In times like these, products that achieve a high cost to performance ratio rise in popularity. Taiyaki is not only cheap, it is filling and its sweetness satisfies people who are tired and stressed because people tend to crave sweet flav-ours when times are hard," Uchida said.
Taiyaki stores are also a relatively cheap business to set up, with shops requiring an investment of about 10 million yen, considerably less than a restaurant, which can cost up to five times more, Fancy Corporation's Yano said.
"I think the taiyaki boom has to do a lot with the capability that you can buy one or two pieces at a time. The decrease in our income has been serious," said Michiko Hoshi, a 76 year-old-woman as she queued up to buy the snack.
KRAFT TARGETS CADBURY AGAIN
British confectioner's chief executive dismisses takeover bid as derisory.
US giant Kraft Foods yesterday launched a hostile 9.8-billion pound (Bt543.4 billion) bid for Cadbury, which the British confectioner rejected as "derisory," as new takeover action revitalised the business world.
The cash and stocks offer matches the terms of Kraft's informal bid in September.
However changes to currency and stock market values since then means the formal bid is worth 9.8 bilion pound, compared to the earlier offer of 10.2 billion pound.
"The repetition of a proposal which is now of less value and lower than the current Cadbury share price does not make it any more attractive," Cadbury chairman Roger Carr said in a company statement.
"As a result, the Board has emphatically rejected this derisory offer and has strengthened its resolve to ensure the true value of Cadbury is fully understood by all."
Besides opposition from the Cadbury board, Kraft faces a band of vocal supporters of the British company's long-held independence.
Felicity Loudon, the grand-daughter of former Cadbury Brothers managing director Egbert Cadbury, has also been an outspoken critic of any deal.
She said she was "particularly saddened by the possibility of one of the last remaining British icons disappearing into an American plastic cheese company".
"Kraft probably does need Cadbury more than Cadbury needs Kraft," wrote Jeremy Batstone-Carr, an analyst with Charles Stanley.
Kraft Foods is the world's second-biggest snacks group after Nestle, while Cadbury, led by American chief executive Todd Stitzer, is the second-largest confectionery company behind Mars.
A tie-up between Kraft and Cadbury would merge leading Kraft brands Oreo biscuits and Maxwell House coffee with Cadbury's big sellers such as Dairy Milk chocolate and Trident chewing gum.
Kraft chairman and chief executive Irene Rosenfeld said her company was "convinced of the strategic merits for both companies of combining Kraft Foods and Cadbury".
She added in Kraft's bid statement: "We believe that our proposal offers the best immediate and long-term value for Cadbury's shareholders and for the company itself compared with any other option currently available, including Cadbury remaining independent."
The formal bid is worth 300 pence in cash and 0.2589 new Kraft Foods shares per Cadbury share. Kraft had until yesterday to launch a formal bid or walk away for six months under British takeover rules.
Cadbury last month stepped up its defence against a takeover by Kraft by upgrading its full-year sales forecast after a third-quarter rise.
In reaction to a 7-per-cent gain in third-quarter sales, Cadbury upgraded its 2009 revenue forecast to the middle of its 4-6-per-cent range from the previous lower-end forecast.
A stronger sales outlook makes a takeover of Cadbury less attractive to its shareholders, who may judge that the company is profitable enough without being merged with a bigger company.
Kraft meanwhile posted poor third-quarter results last week, hitting its share price which in turn has pushed down the value of its offer for Cadbury.
Kraft's formal bid was worth 717 penceper Cadbury share, while the informal offer had stood at 745 pence a share.
"It may be hard to see further upside in Cadbury's share prices with no visible counter offer or rival to Kraft on the horizon and the fact that they have not moved an inch from their initial offer shows that they may be playing the long game with this one," said City Index market strategist Joshua Raymond.
Kraft Foods has said a tie-up would lift its revenues to about US$50 billion (Bt1.7 trillion) a year from $42 billion presently.
US giant Kraft Foods yesterday launched a hostile 9.8-billion pound (Bt543.4 billion) bid for Cadbury, which the British confectioner rejected as "derisory," as new takeover action revitalised the business world.
The cash and stocks offer matches the terms of Kraft's informal bid in September.
However changes to currency and stock market values since then means the formal bid is worth 9.8 bilion pound, compared to the earlier offer of 10.2 billion pound.
"The repetition of a proposal which is now of less value and lower than the current Cadbury share price does not make it any more attractive," Cadbury chairman Roger Carr said in a company statement.
"As a result, the Board has emphatically rejected this derisory offer and has strengthened its resolve to ensure the true value of Cadbury is fully understood by all."
Besides opposition from the Cadbury board, Kraft faces a band of vocal supporters of the British company's long-held independence.
Felicity Loudon, the grand-daughter of former Cadbury Brothers managing director Egbert Cadbury, has also been an outspoken critic of any deal.
She said she was "particularly saddened by the possibility of one of the last remaining British icons disappearing into an American plastic cheese company".
"Kraft probably does need Cadbury more than Cadbury needs Kraft," wrote Jeremy Batstone-Carr, an analyst with Charles Stanley.
Kraft Foods is the world's second-biggest snacks group after Nestle, while Cadbury, led by American chief executive Todd Stitzer, is the second-largest confectionery company behind Mars.
A tie-up between Kraft and Cadbury would merge leading Kraft brands Oreo biscuits and Maxwell House coffee with Cadbury's big sellers such as Dairy Milk chocolate and Trident chewing gum.
Kraft chairman and chief executive Irene Rosenfeld said her company was "convinced of the strategic merits for both companies of combining Kraft Foods and Cadbury".
She added in Kraft's bid statement: "We believe that our proposal offers the best immediate and long-term value for Cadbury's shareholders and for the company itself compared with any other option currently available, including Cadbury remaining independent."
The formal bid is worth 300 pence in cash and 0.2589 new Kraft Foods shares per Cadbury share. Kraft had until yesterday to launch a formal bid or walk away for six months under British takeover rules.
Cadbury last month stepped up its defence against a takeover by Kraft by upgrading its full-year sales forecast after a third-quarter rise.
In reaction to a 7-per-cent gain in third-quarter sales, Cadbury upgraded its 2009 revenue forecast to the middle of its 4-6-per-cent range from the previous lower-end forecast.
A stronger sales outlook makes a takeover of Cadbury less attractive to its shareholders, who may judge that the company is profitable enough without being merged with a bigger company.
Kraft meanwhile posted poor third-quarter results last week, hitting its share price which in turn has pushed down the value of its offer for Cadbury.
Kraft's formal bid was worth 717 penceper Cadbury share, while the informal offer had stood at 745 pence a share.
"It may be hard to see further upside in Cadbury's share prices with no visible counter offer or rival to Kraft on the horizon and the fact that they have not moved an inch from their initial offer shows that they may be playing the long game with this one," said City Index market strategist Joshua Raymond.
Kraft Foods has said a tie-up would lift its revenues to about US$50 billion (Bt1.7 trillion) a year from $42 billion presently.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Minor to take The Pizza Company, Swensen's to more provinces
The Minor Food Group, the leading operator of quick-service and fast-casual restaurants, will expand its core brands - The Pizza Company and Swensen's - into third-tier provinces through franchising.
The company claims 100-per-cent coverage of first- and second-tier provinces, which have populations of more than 1 million and between 500,000 and 1 million, respectively.
Arth Prakhunhungsit, general manager-franchising, said the company would open 10 new franchised restaurants each for The Pizza Company and Swensen's focusing on third-tier provinces, which have a population of less than 500,000. These include Nakhon Phanom, Yasothon, Kalasin, Mae Hong Son, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Trat, Satun, Phang Nga and Narathiwat.
"With franchising, we are able to expand our flagship restaurant brands more aggressively, especially in second- and third-tier provinces," said Arth.
He added that the company had reduced the investment cost for its franchisees opening restaurants by 15 per cent on average by simplifying store designs and fixtures.
The initial cost for opening each The Pizza Company outlet through franchising is about Bt10.5 million, and about Bt6 million for each Swensen's restaurant. Each store occupies an average space of between 180 and 200 square metres.
He said the company also required local entrepreneurs to have knowledge and skills in their own communities.
"We have a strong management system, which can be applied and implemented immediately by our franchisees," he added.
Arth said the company started franchising The Pizza Company brand in 2002, while franchising of Swensen's began in 2004.
Minor Food Group operates 203 The Pizza Company restaurants in Thailand, 49 of which are franchised outlets.
The company also has 39 The Pizza Company restaurants in many markets abroad, including China, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain and Cambodia. About 14 of these outlets, mainly in China, are the company's own.
Arth said the company had 216 Swensen's restaurants in Thailand, of which 102 are franchises. It also has six franchised Swensen's in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Cambodia.
"We plan to open new franchised outlets for both The Pizza Company and Swensen's in Laos in December, and early next year in Vietnam and India," said Arth.
He said all franchisees would run their restaurants under 10-year contracts. The payback period will be about four years.
Minor Food Group yesterday announced 24-per-cent growth in year-to-date sales by The Pizza Company franchised restaurants. The corresponding growth for Swensen's franchised outlets is 38 per cent from the same period last year.
Average same-store growth for both The Pizza Company and Swensen's in the first nine months of the year came in at 2 per cent. This represents an improvement on the 1-per-cent average posted last year.
"We expect our franchised outlets, both The Pizza Company and Swensen's, to generate combined sales of about Bt1.6 billion by the end of this year, about Bt790 million of which will be from The Pizza Company," said Arth.
The company claims 100-per-cent coverage of first- and second-tier provinces, which have populations of more than 1 million and between 500,000 and 1 million, respectively.
Arth Prakhunhungsit, general manager-franchising, said the company would open 10 new franchised restaurants each for The Pizza Company and Swensen's focusing on third-tier provinces, which have a population of less than 500,000. These include Nakhon Phanom, Yasothon, Kalasin, Mae Hong Son, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Trat, Satun, Phang Nga and Narathiwat.
"With franchising, we are able to expand our flagship restaurant brands more aggressively, especially in second- and third-tier provinces," said Arth.
He added that the company had reduced the investment cost for its franchisees opening restaurants by 15 per cent on average by simplifying store designs and fixtures.
The initial cost for opening each The Pizza Company outlet through franchising is about Bt10.5 million, and about Bt6 million for each Swensen's restaurant. Each store occupies an average space of between 180 and 200 square metres.
He said the company also required local entrepreneurs to have knowledge and skills in their own communities.
"We have a strong management system, which can be applied and implemented immediately by our franchisees," he added.
Arth said the company started franchising The Pizza Company brand in 2002, while franchising of Swensen's began in 2004.
Minor Food Group operates 203 The Pizza Company restaurants in Thailand, 49 of which are franchised outlets.
The company also has 39 The Pizza Company restaurants in many markets abroad, including China, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain and Cambodia. About 14 of these outlets, mainly in China, are the company's own.
Arth said the company had 216 Swensen's restaurants in Thailand, of which 102 are franchises. It also has six franchised Swensen's in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Cambodia.
"We plan to open new franchised outlets for both The Pizza Company and Swensen's in Laos in December, and early next year in Vietnam and India," said Arth.
He said all franchisees would run their restaurants under 10-year contracts. The payback period will be about four years.
Minor Food Group yesterday announced 24-per-cent growth in year-to-date sales by The Pizza Company franchised restaurants. The corresponding growth for Swensen's franchised outlets is 38 per cent from the same period last year.
Average same-store growth for both The Pizza Company and Swensen's in the first nine months of the year came in at 2 per cent. This represents an improvement on the 1-per-cent average posted last year.
"We expect our franchised outlets, both The Pizza Company and Swensen's, to generate combined sales of about Bt1.6 billion by the end of this year, about Bt790 million of which will be from The Pizza Company," said Arth.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Snack-maker UM to open more stores at PTT stations
UM Tridaughter Sweet (UM), the maker and franchiser of Kanom Baan Ayakarn Thai Cake snacks, has opted to expand its network of outlets to PTT petrol stations, rather than shopping malls, in a bid to tap more families.
UM director Nuttaya Sawatpoon said the company has 23 Kanom Baan Ayakarn shops in shopping malls, which should be enough to serve that market. It has decided to focus more on opening shops in new types of locations. Petrol stations are seen as a way of expanding into the family market.
"Consumers in the family segment shop at convenience stores, bakery shops and coffee shops when the family vehicle is filled up at the petrol station," Nuttaya said. Moreover, the rents at petrol stations are not high, she said.Kanom Baan Ayakarn already has three shops at PTT petrol stations. Newer PTT-based outlets would be smaller than these, however.
The company believes the expansion into PTT's petrol stations will boost its revenue to Bt150 million next year, from an expected Bt100 million this year.
The sweet-maker is following the example of Siam Hands, the maker of Tangmo-brand apparel, which recently began opening shops at PTT petrol stations, believing the network of 1,400 stations nationwide, and the purchasing power of its customers, could help boost its profits.
Nuttaya said UM will open five shops in the fourth quarter of this year, four of which will be located at PTT stations. The plan is expected to require investment of at least Bt500,000 per PTT shop.
The fifth shop is a franchise in Hat Yai, Songkhla.
Nuttaya said the five new shops are expected to offset a decline in sales in the second quarter.
"We need to be aggressive in opening new shops, as the domestic economy is improving. This year the company targets sales of Bt100 million, up from Bt97 million last year," she said. The company will have 38 shops by the end of this year, up from 33 at present. Five of the shops are run by franchisees. The rest are UM's own shops.
Nuttaya said the company plans to open at least 10 new franchise stores next year.
Expansion through franchisees is expected to grow, she said, adding that the company is in negotiations with investors in Nakhon Pathom, Ayutthaya and Suphan Buri.
UM director Nuttaya Sawatpoon said the company has 23 Kanom Baan Ayakarn shops in shopping malls, which should be enough to serve that market. It has decided to focus more on opening shops in new types of locations. Petrol stations are seen as a way of expanding into the family market.
"Consumers in the family segment shop at convenience stores, bakery shops and coffee shops when the family vehicle is filled up at the petrol station," Nuttaya said. Moreover, the rents at petrol stations are not high, she said.Kanom Baan Ayakarn already has three shops at PTT petrol stations. Newer PTT-based outlets would be smaller than these, however.
The company believes the expansion into PTT's petrol stations will boost its revenue to Bt150 million next year, from an expected Bt100 million this year.
The sweet-maker is following the example of Siam Hands, the maker of Tangmo-brand apparel, which recently began opening shops at PTT petrol stations, believing the network of 1,400 stations nationwide, and the purchasing power of its customers, could help boost its profits.
Nuttaya said UM will open five shops in the fourth quarter of this year, four of which will be located at PTT stations. The plan is expected to require investment of at least Bt500,000 per PTT shop.
The fifth shop is a franchise in Hat Yai, Songkhla.
Nuttaya said the five new shops are expected to offset a decline in sales in the second quarter.
"We need to be aggressive in opening new shops, as the domestic economy is improving. This year the company targets sales of Bt100 million, up from Bt97 million last year," she said. The company will have 38 shops by the end of this year, up from 33 at present. Five of the shops are run by franchisees. The rest are UM's own shops.
Nuttaya said the company plans to open at least 10 new franchise stores next year.
Expansion through franchisees is expected to grow, she said, adding that the company is in negotiations with investors in Nakhon Pathom, Ayutthaya and Suphan Buri.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
THE SWEET TASTE OF SUCCESS
Originally, I thought word of mouth would be enough to attract customers. But I was absolutely wrong.
Witthaya Wasukraipaisarn (Aun) is a national celebrity. He is renowned as an actor in television dramas and in commercials. He has also featured in several music videos. Some of his recent projects, include Sab Phu Sa , a television drama, a Chevrolet Zafira commercial and Fung Hua Jai Tua Eng , a Masha Wattanaphanitch music video. Now, Witthaya has branched out by starting a new business,called "Coco Custard", a dessert cafeteria.
From celebrity to entrepreneur
Being an actor has its ups and downs.Although they get a high salary, their shelflife tends to be quite short.One day they are in great demand, then the phone doesn't ring as frequently and finally the phone stays quiet.Witthaya knows this scenario all to well.
"Right now, I don't have a major project on. Who knows when the next big role will land on my doorstep. A little while back I came to the conclusion that I need to secure my long-term future," he said.
Consequently, Witthaya decided to open a shop. A family-run custard cafe sprang to mind because his grandmother can make heavenly Thai coconut custard
sang ka ya ), using an old traditional Thai recipe.
The actor understands that starting a cafe of this sort is not just about mouthwatering tastes. It also requires good planning and preparation just like other businesses. Buying equipment, production costs and pricing are among a large number of factors that he needs to consider.
"You know, starting a new business is a big deal. I did some research to collect data.It's not easy to access all the information I required to open your own dessert cafe. I had to come up with a name, decide on what equipment is required and how to get the best employees blah, blah. I did everything myself," he said.
Simply irresistible
At Witthaya's cafe, people will be spoiled for choice by a wide selection of delectable treats. Custard, his signature, is perfect for a snack paired with steamed bread. The cafe also serves toast topped with a wide assortment of sauces, including chocolate, strawberry, pineapple as well as margarine and sugar, etc.
Customers can also stop at the cafe to quench their thirst. A long list of cold beverages is on offer. Iced coffee and tea, iced strawberry milk and Italian soda are among the choices.Iced banana and coco milk are the most popular items.
"At the beginning, we offered custard and bread only, but we have significantly increased the number of items," he said.
Prices are quite low when compared to other places. Custard and bread starts at 50 baht and iced drinks are at 30 baht.
"I believe reasonably priced products, of a high quality, attract customers," the star said.
Financial projections
Witthaya says that cost is the main factor in a business operation. Entrepreneurs will find that their enterprises will prosper or die depending on how they control the cost of their operation. For him, keeping the expenses down is the secret to his success. By doing so, he makes enough money to stay in business and earn a profit even though it's a small one at the moment.
He saves money, for example, by purchasing ingredients such as eggs,coconut milk and sugar in bulk at stores nearby.The stores also provide free delivery which also helps keep costs down.
"I get wholesale prices,which are much cheaper than going to supermarkets. Car mileage is a definite cost factor with a home-operated cafe. The superstar also admitted that it doesn't pay to be too cheap when it comes to initial investment. For instance, he tried to design the shop's logo himself but was told by family and friends that his own design wasn't good enough.""What I learned was that it pays to invest more in getting an expert to come up with things like an elegantly designed logo. It helped boost the image of my cafe," he pointed out.Location
Witthaya had good luck in terms of location. His family owns the building where the cafe is located and as a result,there are no rental charges.
The building was originally a dental clinic.It was then completely renovated and redecorated. In addition, the cafe is situated in a busy area with other businesses, schools and transport links close-by. It is only a stone's throw from Huay Kwang's subway station.This he feels can help attract a larger customer base.
"The main drawback to our location is that we don't have parking space for customers. They have to park in the opposite soi," he said.
Marketing products
Wonderful smells wafting from the kitchen alone cannot guarantee his business will thrive - advertising the place is another important concern.
"Originally, I thought word of mouth would be enough to attract customers. But I was absolutely wrong," Witthaya said.
He was recently on a television talk show which he used to plug his new cafe. Soon after his cafe became very busy, especially between 5pm and 6pm. In particular, the place is very popular amongst teenagers and elderly people.
"The media can make a big difference. It can provide such a positive boost in getting a business off the ground," he admitted.
Competition
The growth of bakeries and dessert cafes has mushroomed all around the country.
Competition in this field has therefore become quite intense. Witthaya has decided not to go head-tohead with them. On the contrary, he has laid emphasis on making his business different in some way. He's chosen to make sure his products differ from those of his competitors.
Witthaya insists on using only the finest ingredients,particularly fresh coconut milk. His custard has no preservatives or flour added. This is what makes the custard always fresh and creamy.
"Our cafe is airconditioned and stylishly furnished in vivid colours which creates a warm and friendly atmosphere. I believe these qualities make our shop a preferred choice amongst customers," he said.
More than money
With his moderately priced menu, Witthaya said he and his family did not set out to get rich. He said he will be quite satisfied as long as his little home enterprise guarantees his day-to-day survival.
Witthaya's mother takes care of the kitchen,while his father, with many years of experience in his electrical appliance business, serves as a consultant. His sister usually visits the cafe in the evening after work to lend a hand.Witthaya, himself, drops by from time to time to make sure staff members are providing good service for customers.
He says his sweetmeat business means more to him than money. He said he has gained a great deal of knowledge, important skills and practical experience. It also makes him think about how to tackle problems when they arise and how to overcome challenges.
"As soon as I began this enterprise, I felt a sense of achievement. The time spent learning ways to survive have paid dividends. I am happy seeing repeat customers in the shop. I take great pride that myself and my family have started all this from scratch and is something that we completely own and control," he concluded.m
A recipe for starters
Starting a small business can cost a lot of time and money. To help them achieve their goals,Witthaya offers some advice for wannabe entrepreneurs:
Look to see if there are similar businesses nearby.Also, do some market research to learn what kind of things are in demand.
Differentiate products from potential competitors.Always stay one step ahead.
Actions speak louder than words. So, take action as soon as possible after planning so that you can adjust and improve your business as you go.
Give special consideration to pricing strategies.Be careful not to set prices that are too low or too high.
Make your customers happy by providing good service and quality for repeat business.
Witthaya Wasukraipaisarn (Aun) is a national celebrity. He is renowned as an actor in television dramas and in commercials. He has also featured in several music videos. Some of his recent projects, include Sab Phu Sa , a television drama, a Chevrolet Zafira commercial and Fung Hua Jai Tua Eng , a Masha Wattanaphanitch music video. Now, Witthaya has branched out by starting a new business,called "Coco Custard", a dessert cafeteria.
From celebrity to entrepreneur
Being an actor has its ups and downs.Although they get a high salary, their shelflife tends to be quite short.One day they are in great demand, then the phone doesn't ring as frequently and finally the phone stays quiet.Witthaya knows this scenario all to well.
"Right now, I don't have a major project on. Who knows when the next big role will land on my doorstep. A little while back I came to the conclusion that I need to secure my long-term future," he said.
Consequently, Witthaya decided to open a shop. A family-run custard cafe sprang to mind because his grandmother can make heavenly Thai coconut custard
sang ka ya ), using an old traditional Thai recipe.
The actor understands that starting a cafe of this sort is not just about mouthwatering tastes. It also requires good planning and preparation just like other businesses. Buying equipment, production costs and pricing are among a large number of factors that he needs to consider.
"You know, starting a new business is a big deal. I did some research to collect data.It's not easy to access all the information I required to open your own dessert cafe. I had to come up with a name, decide on what equipment is required and how to get the best employees blah, blah. I did everything myself," he said.
Simply irresistible
At Witthaya's cafe, people will be spoiled for choice by a wide selection of delectable treats. Custard, his signature, is perfect for a snack paired with steamed bread. The cafe also serves toast topped with a wide assortment of sauces, including chocolate, strawberry, pineapple as well as margarine and sugar, etc.
Customers can also stop at the cafe to quench their thirst. A long list of cold beverages is on offer. Iced coffee and tea, iced strawberry milk and Italian soda are among the choices.Iced banana and coco milk are the most popular items.
"At the beginning, we offered custard and bread only, but we have significantly increased the number of items," he said.
Prices are quite low when compared to other places. Custard and bread starts at 50 baht and iced drinks are at 30 baht.
"I believe reasonably priced products, of a high quality, attract customers," the star said.
Financial projections
Witthaya says that cost is the main factor in a business operation. Entrepreneurs will find that their enterprises will prosper or die depending on how they control the cost of their operation. For him, keeping the expenses down is the secret to his success. By doing so, he makes enough money to stay in business and earn a profit even though it's a small one at the moment.
He saves money, for example, by purchasing ingredients such as eggs,coconut milk and sugar in bulk at stores nearby.The stores also provide free delivery which also helps keep costs down.
"I get wholesale prices,which are much cheaper than going to supermarkets. Car mileage is a definite cost factor with a home-operated cafe. The superstar also admitted that it doesn't pay to be too cheap when it comes to initial investment. For instance, he tried to design the shop's logo himself but was told by family and friends that his own design wasn't good enough.""What I learned was that it pays to invest more in getting an expert to come up with things like an elegantly designed logo. It helped boost the image of my cafe," he pointed out.Location
Witthaya had good luck in terms of location. His family owns the building where the cafe is located and as a result,there are no rental charges.
The building was originally a dental clinic.It was then completely renovated and redecorated. In addition, the cafe is situated in a busy area with other businesses, schools and transport links close-by. It is only a stone's throw from Huay Kwang's subway station.This he feels can help attract a larger customer base.
"The main drawback to our location is that we don't have parking space for customers. They have to park in the opposite soi," he said.
Marketing products
Wonderful smells wafting from the kitchen alone cannot guarantee his business will thrive - advertising the place is another important concern.
"Originally, I thought word of mouth would be enough to attract customers. But I was absolutely wrong," Witthaya said.
He was recently on a television talk show which he used to plug his new cafe. Soon after his cafe became very busy, especially between 5pm and 6pm. In particular, the place is very popular amongst teenagers and elderly people.
"The media can make a big difference. It can provide such a positive boost in getting a business off the ground," he admitted.
Competition
The growth of bakeries and dessert cafes has mushroomed all around the country.
Competition in this field has therefore become quite intense. Witthaya has decided not to go head-tohead with them. On the contrary, he has laid emphasis on making his business different in some way. He's chosen to make sure his products differ from those of his competitors.
Witthaya insists on using only the finest ingredients,particularly fresh coconut milk. His custard has no preservatives or flour added. This is what makes the custard always fresh and creamy.
"Our cafe is airconditioned and stylishly furnished in vivid colours which creates a warm and friendly atmosphere. I believe these qualities make our shop a preferred choice amongst customers," he said.
More than money
With his moderately priced menu, Witthaya said he and his family did not set out to get rich. He said he will be quite satisfied as long as his little home enterprise guarantees his day-to-day survival.
Witthaya's mother takes care of the kitchen,while his father, with many years of experience in his electrical appliance business, serves as a consultant. His sister usually visits the cafe in the evening after work to lend a hand.Witthaya, himself, drops by from time to time to make sure staff members are providing good service for customers.
He says his sweetmeat business means more to him than money. He said he has gained a great deal of knowledge, important skills and practical experience. It also makes him think about how to tackle problems when they arise and how to overcome challenges.
"As soon as I began this enterprise, I felt a sense of achievement. The time spent learning ways to survive have paid dividends. I am happy seeing repeat customers in the shop. I take great pride that myself and my family have started all this from scratch and is something that we completely own and control," he concluded.m
A recipe for starters
Starting a small business can cost a lot of time and money. To help them achieve their goals,Witthaya offers some advice for wannabe entrepreneurs:
Look to see if there are similar businesses nearby.Also, do some market research to learn what kind of things are in demand.
Differentiate products from potential competitors.Always stay one step ahead.
Actions speak louder than words. So, take action as soon as possible after planning so that you can adjust and improve your business as you go.
Give special consideration to pricing strategies.Be careful not to set prices that are too low or too high.
Make your customers happy by providing good service and quality for repeat business.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
A TREASURE TROVE OF SWEETNESS
A downtown bakery offers the best things in life
Outgoing and articulate, she smiles in excitement and spreads out her arms to include the entire room.
"I designed this shop to invite people inside, to enjoy good things, to relax, to savour the joys of a good cup of coffee and a cupcake," she says.
You wouldn't call Manora "Sophie" Prommarin demure. She is hardly, after all, the picture of a typical Thai lady.
Yet, she insists, "I'm Thai. I'm really Thai".
Born in Bangkok 30 - something years ago, Sophie was taken, at a very young age, to the States, where very young age, to the States, where her father continued his education in computer science. Her family, which includes one older brother, has remained extremely conservative, she says.
"We spoke Thai at home," she remembers. Her parents taught her Thai culture, from the way a good Thai child behaves to Thai classical dancing
Sophie herself learned about her native country almost at a distance, although she and her family travelled back and forth between Thailand and the States regularly to visit relatives. She ended up loving Thai culture and history so much that, when she was 19, she set up her very own tour company to take tourists to the important cultural destinations of her country.
She would take small groups all around the country, happy to show them what she loves about Thailand.
After operating the company for a few years, she joined the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel at Dana Point, just a few miles from her home. For this 350-room hotel located on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Sophie worked as an event organiser, involved with all sorts of activities from weddings to annual general meetings to birthday perties.
"This was the best company I could have joined," Sophie says enthusiastically. "I learned so much."
After 10 years or so, she left to start her own event planning company, which "morphed" into a production. "We took care of all sorts of planning aspects," she says.
Thailand was calling her, though. "I just wanted to come back to live here for a while, to find my roots," she says.
About five years ago, she returned, looking for something she could do. She found it.
She opened a little shop she called Sparkles, offering cakes, cookies, coffee, tea and smoothies. She designed everything, from the way the walls, ceiling and displays would look to the comfortable seats.
"I love to design," she smiles. "I love to be inspred."
She also loves cooking and baking. "At home in the States, I prepared the food for all the family gettogethers," she says. To work off energy, she would bake. (How she stays so slim with all those cholesterol-busters around is a mystery.)
On any day, she's baked 13 or 14 kinds of cupcakes and cookies. The cupcakes sport exotic names like "diamond" (vanilla) and "Black diamond" (chocolate), "sapphire" (blueberry) and "fire opal" (carrot and raisin).
The American-style cookies, so big and soft, have tasty combinations - apple surprise, with caramel chocolate, cinnamon and white chocolate, or oatmeal with cranberries, chocolate chip raisins or nut, and pumpkin chocolate chip squares. Sophie bakes fresh every day, using the freshest, highest-quality ingredients she can find. Those cranberries are fresh, as are all the berries and other fruits she uses.
"All my products are the real thing," she smiles.
She offers catering services and even event planning (of course). She can also provide, by special order, cookies for doggies.
Enter the little shop on Sukhumvit Soi 53, and you see an unusual interior design - walls painted a powder blue decorated with mottoes painted in silver. Look at the ceiling and enjoy Sophie's concept of the stars, all sparkly and glittery.
Shelves hold non-bakery goods for sale, t-shirts and knickknacks, all hand-made by people Sophie knows.
She's already started decorating the shop for the holidays, too. On one wall, she's painted a tree in silver. Its branches are bare, but as the gift-giving season nears, she'll hang ornaments on the wall where the branches are painted.
Every day, as she bakes, her mind is constantly searching for new combinations of cupcakes and cookies, new designs that complement her own design concepts for her little shop.
She's also planning on expanding to other locations. This shop, she says sadly, has no parking, but it's perfect for walk-in customers, passers- by who stroll past and then suddenly back up as soon as they realise that they've just seen all that good stuff in her window.
Raised abroad but firmly rooted in Thailand now, she laughs again. It's ture, she admits, that her Thai-woman friends tell her that she seems "very powerful", but Thai women, she points out, she powerful, more powerful than they might realise.
For her, Sparkles is much more than the name of her shop. "It stands for joy and for lover of all the good things in life," she says. "In the end, it stands for hope."
Outgoing and articulate, she smiles in excitement and spreads out her arms to include the entire room.
"I designed this shop to invite people inside, to enjoy good things, to relax, to savour the joys of a good cup of coffee and a cupcake," she says.
You wouldn't call Manora "Sophie" Prommarin demure. She is hardly, after all, the picture of a typical Thai lady.
Yet, she insists, "I'm Thai. I'm really Thai".
Born in Bangkok 30 - something years ago, Sophie was taken, at a very young age, to the States, where very young age, to the States, where her father continued his education in computer science. Her family, which includes one older brother, has remained extremely conservative, she says.
"We spoke Thai at home," she remembers. Her parents taught her Thai culture, from the way a good Thai child behaves to Thai classical dancing
Sophie herself learned about her native country almost at a distance, although she and her family travelled back and forth between Thailand and the States regularly to visit relatives. She ended up loving Thai culture and history so much that, when she was 19, she set up her very own tour company to take tourists to the important cultural destinations of her country.
She would take small groups all around the country, happy to show them what she loves about Thailand.
After operating the company for a few years, she joined the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel at Dana Point, just a few miles from her home. For this 350-room hotel located on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Sophie worked as an event organiser, involved with all sorts of activities from weddings to annual general meetings to birthday perties.
"This was the best company I could have joined," Sophie says enthusiastically. "I learned so much."
After 10 years or so, she left to start her own event planning company, which "morphed" into a production. "We took care of all sorts of planning aspects," she says.
Thailand was calling her, though. "I just wanted to come back to live here for a while, to find my roots," she says.
About five years ago, she returned, looking for something she could do. She found it.
She opened a little shop she called Sparkles, offering cakes, cookies, coffee, tea and smoothies. She designed everything, from the way the walls, ceiling and displays would look to the comfortable seats.
"I love to design," she smiles. "I love to be inspred."
She also loves cooking and baking. "At home in the States, I prepared the food for all the family gettogethers," she says. To work off energy, she would bake. (How she stays so slim with all those cholesterol-busters around is a mystery.)
On any day, she's baked 13 or 14 kinds of cupcakes and cookies. The cupcakes sport exotic names like "diamond" (vanilla) and "Black diamond" (chocolate), "sapphire" (blueberry) and "fire opal" (carrot and raisin).
The American-style cookies, so big and soft, have tasty combinations - apple surprise, with caramel chocolate, cinnamon and white chocolate, or oatmeal with cranberries, chocolate chip raisins or nut, and pumpkin chocolate chip squares. Sophie bakes fresh every day, using the freshest, highest-quality ingredients she can find. Those cranberries are fresh, as are all the berries and other fruits she uses.
"All my products are the real thing," she smiles.
She offers catering services and even event planning (of course). She can also provide, by special order, cookies for doggies.
Enter the little shop on Sukhumvit Soi 53, and you see an unusual interior design - walls painted a powder blue decorated with mottoes painted in silver. Look at the ceiling and enjoy Sophie's concept of the stars, all sparkly and glittery.
Shelves hold non-bakery goods for sale, t-shirts and knickknacks, all hand-made by people Sophie knows.
She's already started decorating the shop for the holidays, too. On one wall, she's painted a tree in silver. Its branches are bare, but as the gift-giving season nears, she'll hang ornaments on the wall where the branches are painted.
Every day, as she bakes, her mind is constantly searching for new combinations of cupcakes and cookies, new designs that complement her own design concepts for her little shop.
She's also planning on expanding to other locations. This shop, she says sadly, has no parking, but it's perfect for walk-in customers, passers- by who stroll past and then suddenly back up as soon as they realise that they've just seen all that good stuff in her window.
Raised abroad but firmly rooted in Thailand now, she laughs again. It's ture, she admits, that her Thai-woman friends tell her that she seems "very powerful", but Thai women, she points out, she powerful, more powerful than they might realise.
For her, Sparkles is much more than the name of her shop. "It stands for joy and for lover of all the good things in life," she says. "In the end, it stands for hope."
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Hershey considers rival Cadbury bid
US chocolate - maker Hershey could jump into a takeover battle with a bid for Cadbury after the British confectioner rejected an offer from food giant Kraft Foods, the Wall Street Journal said yesterday.
The Pennsylvania-based company "is likely to make some response" to Kraft's Monday bid, the financial daily said, citing a source close to the matter.
Hershey's potential bid rises from awareness "that Cadbury is the last major confectionery company potentially available," said the person familiar with the situation according to the financial daily.
In comparison to Kraft, Hershey's position in the market is diminutive -- its annual turnover of some five billion dollars is eight times smaller than the food giant.
However, the Journal noted, Hershey and Cadbury have a long working relationship, having talked about combinations in the past. The firm also distributes the iconic British confectioner's products in the United States.
On Monday Kraft Foods's $16.7-billion-dollar bid was spurned by Cadbury, though Kraft said it hoped the British group would eventually jump on board.
Cadbury's share price however surged on the news and ended the day with a gain of 37.85 percent at 783 pence.
In January 2007 top Hershey and Cadbury officers sat down to consider forming a "global confectionery powerhouse," though the financial daily said nothing came of the discussions.
Kraft Foods, the world's second biggest food group after Nestle, said it hoped the takeover would increase annual revenues to 50 billion dollars a year.
A tie-up between Kraft and Cadbury would merge leading Kraft brands Oreo biscuits and Maxwell House coffee with Cadbury's Dairy Milk chocolate and Trident chewing gum. Cadbury's chief executive Todd Stitzer however maintained that the proposal "fundamentally undervalues" the company and its prospects.
The Pennsylvania-based company "is likely to make some response" to Kraft's Monday bid, the financial daily said, citing a source close to the matter.
Hershey's potential bid rises from awareness "that Cadbury is the last major confectionery company potentially available," said the person familiar with the situation according to the financial daily.
In comparison to Kraft, Hershey's position in the market is diminutive -- its annual turnover of some five billion dollars is eight times smaller than the food giant.
However, the Journal noted, Hershey and Cadbury have a long working relationship, having talked about combinations in the past. The firm also distributes the iconic British confectioner's products in the United States.
On Monday Kraft Foods's $16.7-billion-dollar bid was spurned by Cadbury, though Kraft said it hoped the British group would eventually jump on board.
Cadbury's share price however surged on the news and ended the day with a gain of 37.85 percent at 783 pence.
In January 2007 top Hershey and Cadbury officers sat down to consider forming a "global confectionery powerhouse," though the financial daily said nothing came of the discussions.
Kraft Foods, the world's second biggest food group after Nestle, said it hoped the takeover would increase annual revenues to 50 billion dollars a year.
A tie-up between Kraft and Cadbury would merge leading Kraft brands Oreo biscuits and Maxwell House coffee with Cadbury's Dairy Milk chocolate and Trident chewing gum. Cadbury's chief executive Todd Stitzer however maintained that the proposal "fundamentally undervalues" the company and its prospects.
Monday, September 7, 2009
NESTLE TO PROFIT FROM CHINA MILK SCANDAL
Nestle, the world's largest food company, says sales growth in China may double to 20 per cent this year as it takes market share from rivals affected by last year's tainted - milk scandal.
"We have gained market share, all our businesses, our branding is stronger and we had greater market recognition," Patrice Bula, chairman and chief executive officer of Nestle (China), said in an interview in Shanghai. "In the milk crisis, we were not part of it, we're not directly affected by it because all our products are safe."
Milk tainted with melamine caused the deaths of at least six babies and sickened almost 300,000 other children in China last year. Government tests found the toxic chemical, used in making plastics, in the products of 22 companies including China Mengniu Dairy, the nation's biggest liquid-milk producer.
"The made - in - China label is really damaging and a lot of Chinese consumers don't like it," Shaun Rein, managing director of China Market Research Group in Shanghai, said yesterday. "Nestle has the ability to increase market share, partly because everybody's fleeing the domestic producers."
Mengniu posted a 949-million yuan (Bt4.87 billion) net loss last year as a result of the scandal. Company profit rose 29 per cent to 936 million yuan the previous year.
Government support has helped the Chinese dairy industry increase consumption and industry sales are now equal to about 90 per cent of the level before the scandal, Bula said.
Switzerland-based Nestle operates 21 factories in China and sells products including Nescafe instant coffee and Kit Kat chocolate wafer bars. Sales in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan rose 10 per cent last year to 2.23 billion Swiss francs (Bt72 billion), 2 per cent of global revenue, according to the company's website.
The food and beverage maker aims to introduces" to accelerate sales growth in the fourth quarter, Bula said. Nestle's coffee, bouillon, milk and ice cream are among its best-selling products in China, Bula added.
"The industry is at a stage of restructuring, where we are beginning to see which are the good companies that produce good quality products," said Rong Yaozhong, general manager of Shanghai Totle Food, Nestle's venture partner for Chicken bouillon.
"A lot of companies will imp rive the quality of their products while those that fail to meet set standards will be shut."
"We have gained market share, all our businesses, our branding is stronger and we had greater market recognition," Patrice Bula, chairman and chief executive officer of Nestle (China), said in an interview in Shanghai. "In the milk crisis, we were not part of it, we're not directly affected by it because all our products are safe."
Milk tainted with melamine caused the deaths of at least six babies and sickened almost 300,000 other children in China last year. Government tests found the toxic chemical, used in making plastics, in the products of 22 companies including China Mengniu Dairy, the nation's biggest liquid-milk producer.
"The made - in - China label is really damaging and a lot of Chinese consumers don't like it," Shaun Rein, managing director of China Market Research Group in Shanghai, said yesterday. "Nestle has the ability to increase market share, partly because everybody's fleeing the domestic producers."
Mengniu posted a 949-million yuan (Bt4.87 billion) net loss last year as a result of the scandal. Company profit rose 29 per cent to 936 million yuan the previous year.
Government support has helped the Chinese dairy industry increase consumption and industry sales are now equal to about 90 per cent of the level before the scandal, Bula said.
Switzerland-based Nestle operates 21 factories in China and sells products including Nescafe instant coffee and Kit Kat chocolate wafer bars. Sales in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan rose 10 per cent last year to 2.23 billion Swiss francs (Bt72 billion), 2 per cent of global revenue, according to the company's website.
The food and beverage maker aims to introduces" to accelerate sales growth in the fourth quarter, Bula said. Nestle's coffee, bouillon, milk and ice cream are among its best-selling products in China, Bula added.
"The industry is at a stage of restructuring, where we are beginning to see which are the good companies that produce good quality products," said Rong Yaozhong, general manager of Shanghai Totle Food, Nestle's venture partner for Chicken bouillon.
"A lot of companies will imp rive the quality of their products while those that fail to meet set standards will be shut."
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Koh-Kae foods maker targets 10% growth
Peanut snack-maker Mae Ruay targets 10-per-cent growth in the local market.
Mae-Ruay Snack Food Factory, the manufacturer of Koh-Kae brand peanut snacks, targets domestic sales revenue growth of 10 per cent this year over last year's Bt900 million.
The company's domestic sales include the Koh-Kae line and Nelly brand potato crackers, deputy managing director Kitsada Ruayjaroensap said.
Mae-Ruay Snack Food Factory sells 80 per cent of its Koh-Kae products in Thailand and exports the rest to 70 countries.
The growth forecast reflects Mae-Ruay's aggressive push into the high-end health-conscious consumer segment with the re-launch of its premium product, Koh-Kae Plus, in a new-look package in the middle of this year.
For two years before the repackaging, the company's efforts to build consumer awareness of Koh-Kae Plus as a premium product had little success, with consumers failing to notice the difference between regular Koh-Kae products and Koh-Kae Plus, Kitsada said.
Each Koh-Kae Plus package includes almonds, cashew nuts and pistachios. Regular Koh-Kae packages include only peanuts.
Now, thanks to the repackaging, Kitsada said, "Consumers are able to tell the mass-market product from the premium product."
The firm hopes the re-launch of the premium product will boost domestic sales growth, he said.
Last year, Thailand's regular peanut snack market was worth Bt600 million, while the premium peanut snack market was worth Bt300 million. Koh-Kae claims to be the leader in the regular peanut snack market with an 80-per-cent share by value.
Kitsada said the company has set a sales target of Bt15 million for Koh-Kae Plus this year.
Mae-Ruay plans to create a new snack market segment with the launch of a new product in the fourth quarter, Kitsada said, but he declined to disclose details of the plan.
Launched last year, the Nelly potato cracker product now contributes 20 per cent of Mae-Ruay Snack Food Factory's total sales revenue.
Mae-Ruay Snack Food Factory, the manufacturer of Koh-Kae brand peanut snacks, targets domestic sales revenue growth of 10 per cent this year over last year's Bt900 million.
The company's domestic sales include the Koh-Kae line and Nelly brand potato crackers, deputy managing director Kitsada Ruayjaroensap said.
Mae-Ruay Snack Food Factory sells 80 per cent of its Koh-Kae products in Thailand and exports the rest to 70 countries.
The growth forecast reflects Mae-Ruay's aggressive push into the high-end health-conscious consumer segment with the re-launch of its premium product, Koh-Kae Plus, in a new-look package in the middle of this year.
For two years before the repackaging, the company's efforts to build consumer awareness of Koh-Kae Plus as a premium product had little success, with consumers failing to notice the difference between regular Koh-Kae products and Koh-Kae Plus, Kitsada said.
Each Koh-Kae Plus package includes almonds, cashew nuts and pistachios. Regular Koh-Kae packages include only peanuts.
Now, thanks to the repackaging, Kitsada said, "Consumers are able to tell the mass-market product from the premium product."
The firm hopes the re-launch of the premium product will boost domestic sales growth, he said.
Last year, Thailand's regular peanut snack market was worth Bt600 million, while the premium peanut snack market was worth Bt300 million. Koh-Kae claims to be the leader in the regular peanut snack market with an 80-per-cent share by value.
Kitsada said the company has set a sales target of Bt15 million for Koh-Kae Plus this year.
Mae-Ruay plans to create a new snack market segment with the launch of a new product in the fourth quarter, Kitsada said, but he declined to disclose details of the plan.
Launched last year, the Nelly potato cracker product now contributes 20 per cent of Mae-Ruay Snack Food Factory's total sales revenue.
THE ICING ON THE CUPCAKE
She made her name as an actress, but now the girl nicknamed Namfon is baking cupcakes and other fabulous creations which taste as great as used to be known as Wanwalai Posayanond to many Thai people,and it was not only her prestigious last name that made her famous,but also her roles as an actress and TV presenter.
"I have starred as the lead actress for 10 years, in all TV channels,"said the 33-year-old.
The mother to two young boys,Mrs Wanwalai chatted after filming a live morning television programme for housewives called 30 Young Jaew [30 and Still Splendid].She was being pulled along by her eldest son, three-year-old Purich,and was also with her handsome husband Anusorn, a pilot for Thai Airways International.Her youngest son, one-year-old Jinn,was at home.
The former actress is the owner and managing director of Fin-ish Me Cupcake (www.cupcakerie.blogspot.com). As she spoke about her business, she opened a box of cupcakes decorated with all kinds of colourful and pretty flower toppings.
"The TV show asked for all these flowers because it was a woman's show."
Her three mobile phones rang nonstop during our entire conversation, as the show had aired her mobile number on TV as the point of contact.
Mrs Wanwalai said:"At night I run a cupcake business. During the daytime I'm a full-time mother to two naughty boys, and also do accounting, buy ingredients to bake the cakes, and take the kids to school."
This is partly why she does not have her own shop, despite the increasing demand."I bake at home so that I will have time to be with my sons. If they want to cuddle, then I will still have time for them."
She talked about how her business started."It started from a hobby, which turned into a cupcake business, which evolved into catering. Now my business is also about customised cakes, such as ones shaped like Chanel and Hermes bags, Barbie dolls, footballs - anything a client wants.
"The first bag I baked, a Birkin bag, was a total disaster. When I was on the highway to deliver it, the straps and buckle fell apart! This made me want to study about it more, to make it better. So YouTube became my best friend. I search for clips such as 'How to Stack a Cake', or 'How to Make Your Own Butter Cream'. You can say my cakes are made by the heart and the hands."
It's almost a family business, she laughed."When my husband is not flying, he would help me deliver the cakes. I would, of course, bake them, and my sons would help with the decorations."
Indeed, as we were having lunch, Mr Anusorn hopped over to the nearby building to deliver a gorgeous Chanel handbag cake."Well, cakes are delicate. You can't just let anyone hold it and deliver it," she said.
When her husband is away flying around the world, he buys ingredients for his wife,such as top quality chocolates from Belgium, Germany and France which cannot be found in Thailand, or the best pure vanilla extracts such as Nielsen Massey.All the eggs used are organic."We are able to keep this high grade since we are a made-to-order bakery. Everything is fresh and homemade, with no preservatives,"she said.
Her steady supply of imported ingredi-ents may never have become available if her husband had not noticed a large billboard at a bus stop. That was where he first saw Mrs Wanwalai, who was featured on the billboard. He even told his friends this was the kind of girl he likes. When he saw his mother watching a television soap opera starring Mrs Wanwalai, he told her that this was the girl he was going to marry.
"We still laugh about that until this day," she said with a chuckle.
Fate brought the two together on New Year's Eve in 1998 through a mutual friend.They went to the same party, where Mrs Wanwalai noticed a man staring at her all night. She said:"He was a friend of a friend. He seemed very shy and didn't talk
to me all night. However, before we all left, he asked for my number.I thought he seemed nice, tall and clean - not the harmful type - so I decided to give it to him."
The next day Mr Anusorn called,and the two have been talking on the phone every single day up to now.
"Once his plane touches the ground, he calls me. We dated for six years. All the best years of my life were spent with him, and they are still spent with him," she said with a sweet smile.
She started acting because a friend who worked at a modelling agency asked her to come in for a casting session. Mrs Wanwalai was driving and the traffic was very heavy, so she decided to stop by the modelling agency as it was on her way home. She was chosen for a part in a cosmetic commercial,which led her to starring roles in soap operas and movies and becoming a TV host and presenter for many products.
"Through acting, I have been to places and did things I've never done in my entire life, such as rowing a boat in the river," she said.
Her acting background has also helped her business. She admits that her fame opens doors, with many customers recalling her acting days.
Her biggest fan however, is her husband."Even when I didn't know how to bake, he told me to try and make it a real business. We put up posters in an expatriate community,and that was how I got my first P:P order. I was really excited and spent hours and hours baking just one Obox of homemade cupcakes," she said.
Her specially-designed cupcakes Shave proved to be very popular."I think they're going to be here for a ;L long time. When people think about cupcakes, it brings a smile to their faces. Cupcakes are convenient to Oeat. You also don't have to eat a lot if you're on a diet. I think they still have a long way to go.B"I get orders from Brunei. They would fly over to pick up the IT cupcakes. They discovered me from my blog site. They said they never Btasted any cupcakes that are as good as mine," she said with a smile.
"There's also a demand for my niche, customised cakes such as the handbags. I can even make them in the shape of my customers' favourite sofas.Many people order them through my blog,and they communicate with me through my blog, so I get a more personal touch about my products. They'll leave testimonials and send pictures."
Some of the most popular products from Fin-ish Me Cupcake are carrots, honey and cream cheese; cookies and cream;banana and peanut butter and chocolate fudge and strawberries and cream. Other popular products are strawberry shortcake,chocolate fudge cake, blueberry cream cake and New York cheesecake. She caters to weddings, birthdays and various product launches.
"I have starred as the lead actress for 10 years, in all TV channels,"said the 33-year-old.
The mother to two young boys,Mrs Wanwalai chatted after filming a live morning television programme for housewives called 30 Young Jaew [30 and Still Splendid].She was being pulled along by her eldest son, three-year-old Purich,and was also with her handsome husband Anusorn, a pilot for Thai Airways International.Her youngest son, one-year-old Jinn,was at home.
The former actress is the owner and managing director of Fin-ish Me Cupcake (www.cupcakerie.blogspot.com). As she spoke about her business, she opened a box of cupcakes decorated with all kinds of colourful and pretty flower toppings.
"The TV show asked for all these flowers because it was a woman's show."
Her three mobile phones rang nonstop during our entire conversation, as the show had aired her mobile number on TV as the point of contact.
Mrs Wanwalai said:"At night I run a cupcake business. During the daytime I'm a full-time mother to two naughty boys, and also do accounting, buy ingredients to bake the cakes, and take the kids to school."
This is partly why she does not have her own shop, despite the increasing demand."I bake at home so that I will have time to be with my sons. If they want to cuddle, then I will still have time for them."
She talked about how her business started."It started from a hobby, which turned into a cupcake business, which evolved into catering. Now my business is also about customised cakes, such as ones shaped like Chanel and Hermes bags, Barbie dolls, footballs - anything a client wants.
"The first bag I baked, a Birkin bag, was a total disaster. When I was on the highway to deliver it, the straps and buckle fell apart! This made me want to study about it more, to make it better. So YouTube became my best friend. I search for clips such as 'How to Stack a Cake', or 'How to Make Your Own Butter Cream'. You can say my cakes are made by the heart and the hands."
It's almost a family business, she laughed."When my husband is not flying, he would help me deliver the cakes. I would, of course, bake them, and my sons would help with the decorations."
Indeed, as we were having lunch, Mr Anusorn hopped over to the nearby building to deliver a gorgeous Chanel handbag cake."Well, cakes are delicate. You can't just let anyone hold it and deliver it," she said.
When her husband is away flying around the world, he buys ingredients for his wife,such as top quality chocolates from Belgium, Germany and France which cannot be found in Thailand, or the best pure vanilla extracts such as Nielsen Massey.All the eggs used are organic."We are able to keep this high grade since we are a made-to-order bakery. Everything is fresh and homemade, with no preservatives,"she said.
Her steady supply of imported ingredi-ents may never have become available if her husband had not noticed a large billboard at a bus stop. That was where he first saw Mrs Wanwalai, who was featured on the billboard. He even told his friends this was the kind of girl he likes. When he saw his mother watching a television soap opera starring Mrs Wanwalai, he told her that this was the girl he was going to marry.
"We still laugh about that until this day," she said with a chuckle.
Fate brought the two together on New Year's Eve in 1998 through a mutual friend.They went to the same party, where Mrs Wanwalai noticed a man staring at her all night. She said:"He was a friend of a friend. He seemed very shy and didn't talk
to me all night. However, before we all left, he asked for my number.I thought he seemed nice, tall and clean - not the harmful type - so I decided to give it to him."
The next day Mr Anusorn called,and the two have been talking on the phone every single day up to now.
"Once his plane touches the ground, he calls me. We dated for six years. All the best years of my life were spent with him, and they are still spent with him," she said with a sweet smile.
She started acting because a friend who worked at a modelling agency asked her to come in for a casting session. Mrs Wanwalai was driving and the traffic was very heavy, so she decided to stop by the modelling agency as it was on her way home. She was chosen for a part in a cosmetic commercial,which led her to starring roles in soap operas and movies and becoming a TV host and presenter for many products.
"Through acting, I have been to places and did things I've never done in my entire life, such as rowing a boat in the river," she said.
Her acting background has also helped her business. She admits that her fame opens doors, with many customers recalling her acting days.
Her biggest fan however, is her husband."Even when I didn't know how to bake, he told me to try and make it a real business. We put up posters in an expatriate community,and that was how I got my first P:P order. I was really excited and spent hours and hours baking just one Obox of homemade cupcakes," she said.
Her specially-designed cupcakes Shave proved to be very popular."I think they're going to be here for a ;L long time. When people think about cupcakes, it brings a smile to their faces. Cupcakes are convenient to Oeat. You also don't have to eat a lot if you're on a diet. I think they still have a long way to go.B"I get orders from Brunei. They would fly over to pick up the IT cupcakes. They discovered me from my blog site. They said they never Btasted any cupcakes that are as good as mine," she said with a smile.
"There's also a demand for my niche, customised cakes such as the handbags. I can even make them in the shape of my customers' favourite sofas.Many people order them through my blog,and they communicate with me through my blog, so I get a more personal touch about my products. They'll leave testimonials and send pictures."
Some of the most popular products from Fin-ish Me Cupcake are carrots, honey and cream cheese; cookies and cream;banana and peanut butter and chocolate fudge and strawberries and cream. Other popular products are strawberry shortcake,chocolate fudge cake, blueberry cream cake and New York cheesecake. She caters to weddings, birthdays and various product launches.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
A tiny bit of "Dark Chocolate" a day keeps doctor away
The benefits of darks chocolate have been reported in may scientific journals in recent years. One of these was the study by Grassi, Lippi, Necozione, and Desideri in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2005. These researchers found that dark chocolate decreased blood pressure and had a positive impact on insulin sensitivity in healthy persons.
Dark chocolate provides health benefits health benefits due to the flavonoids found in cocoa. The flavanoids found in cocoa serve as antioxidants when ingested. These flavonoids protect blood vessels from undergoing oxidative changes that result in certain diseases. The result is stronger capillaries and other connective tissue that leads to enhanced health and wellness.
What are some of the health benefits?
- reduces risk of certain cancers such as ovarian cancer
- lowers blood pressure
- improves insulin resistance
- reduces risk of stroke and heart attack
- fights atherosclerosis
- reduces risk of chronic respiratory problems
- protects from UV light that may reduce the risk of skn cancer
- decreases inflammation and pain associated with arthritis
- the smell of chocolate may increase theta brain waves which results in relaxation
What are others flavonoid-rich foods?
- cocoa - yellow fruits
- blueberries - red vegetables
- cranberries - yellow vegetables
- red beans - certain nuts
- red fruits - green tea
There are many health benefits to eating even small amounts of this nutrient. A well-balanced diet consisting of adequate fruits, vegetables, nuts, and even a little dark chocolate will provide sufficient levels of these antioxidants.
Before you stock up on chocolate bars there are some important facts to keep in mind:
- dark chocolate has the beneficial flavonoids; stay away from white and milk chocolate
- European chocolate is highest in flavonoids
- monitor the fat and calories you consume with chocolate; you only need a very small amount to benefit The role of flavonoid rich foods in preventing disease and maintaining health and wellness will continue to be heavily researched by scientists. However do not rely on dark chocolate for the bulk of your antioxidants just let it replace your unhealthy sweets is good enough.
Dark chocolate provides health benefits health benefits due to the flavonoids found in cocoa. The flavanoids found in cocoa serve as antioxidants when ingested. These flavonoids protect blood vessels from undergoing oxidative changes that result in certain diseases. The result is stronger capillaries and other connective tissue that leads to enhanced health and wellness.
What are some of the health benefits?
- reduces risk of certain cancers such as ovarian cancer
- lowers blood pressure
- improves insulin resistance
- reduces risk of stroke and heart attack
- fights atherosclerosis
- reduces risk of chronic respiratory problems
- protects from UV light that may reduce the risk of skn cancer
- decreases inflammation and pain associated with arthritis
- the smell of chocolate may increase theta brain waves which results in relaxation
What are others flavonoid-rich foods?
- cocoa - yellow fruits
- blueberries - red vegetables
- cranberries - yellow vegetables
- red beans - certain nuts
- red fruits - green tea
There are many health benefits to eating even small amounts of this nutrient. A well-balanced diet consisting of adequate fruits, vegetables, nuts, and even a little dark chocolate will provide sufficient levels of these antioxidants.
Before you stock up on chocolate bars there are some important facts to keep in mind:
- dark chocolate has the beneficial flavonoids; stay away from white and milk chocolate
- European chocolate is highest in flavonoids
- monitor the fat and calories you consume with chocolate; you only need a very small amount to benefit The role of flavonoid rich foods in preventing disease and maintaining health and wellness will continue to be heavily researched by scientists. However do not rely on dark chocolate for the bulk of your antioxidants just let it replace your unhealthy sweets is good enough.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Canadian chain arrives in New York
The Canadian doughnut invasion has begun.Over a weekend earlier this month,12 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in Manhattan and Brooklyn underwent a transformation, emerging the Monday morning after as the first New York locations of Tim Hortons, a Canadian chain that sells coffee and baked goods.
New Yorkers tend to be particular about their coffee and doughnuts, so the switch was considered noteworthy. There were 380 litres of free coffee to be doled out, and at the shop in Pennsylvania Station there was a ribbon-cutting whose attendees were to include Gov David A.Paterson.
Paterson was a no-show, but the event did attract Mark Green, the city's former public advocate who is running for his old job, and City Councilman David I. Weprin. It also drew two former New York Rangers hockey players, Rod Gilbert and Glenn Anderson. Tim Horton, the founder of the doughnut chain, played for the Rangers from 1969 to 1971, though he, like Anderson, spent most of his career in Canada.
Weprin said the arrival of Tim Hortons "shows New York City is on the move, we're a desirable market," adding that he was "so excited to have Tim Hortons here."
Customers at the Penn Station shop and at another new Tim Hortons, on 34th Street near Seventh Avenue, had more varied reactions. Some were familiar with the chain in Canada, but others had only read about the changeover and were eager to give the new chain a try, especially with a free cup of coffee thrown in. A few were befuddled when they arrived at what they thought was a Dunkin' Donuts, only to find it gone, the pink-and-orange decor supplanted by a more subdued dark red.
"I had no idea," said Danielle Gerard of Queens,who works near the new Tim Hortons on 34th Street."I have no choice, because I hate Starbucks and once I go up to my building I'm not coming back down. They better not do this in Queens or Long Island."
The Riese Organisation, which owns the stores,recently ended its affiliation with Dunkin' Donuts,hoping that another franchise would produce better profits.
"As the boss, I knew I wanted to replace a doughnut with a doughnut," Dennis Riese, the company's chief executive, said before the opening ceremony.
Waiting in line at Penn Station, Bari Siegel of Fort Washington said she was excited about the change."I'm sick of Dunkin'- I think their coffee has been bitter," Siegel said. But she ended up pocketing the coupon for free coffee to use later in the day. She watched a friend, Susie Goldman, also of Fort Washington, test the coffee.
"I really do like Dunkin' Donuts," Goldman said before taking a sip. Her reaction?"It's strong,"she said."I'm in. I think it'll grow on me."
Regina Elkaim, standing in line at the Tim Hortons on 34th Street, said she had never tried the chain's coffee or doughnuts, but she was optimistic.
"I am a Dunkin' Donuts fan, but I saw it on TV and I've heard good things," she said.
Tim Hortons has more than 3,400 locations,including more than 500 in the US, but until recently the closest stores to New York were in Meriden, Connecticut, and Buffalo.
Most customers seemed to prefer coffee over doughnuts, and a few ordered bagels, sandwiches or other baked goods. As they filed out of the 34th Street store, reactions were mixed.
"Well, mine's good!" Elkaim said after taking a sip of coffee."I love it."
"Dunkin' Donuts used to have larger cups,"Gerard complained to the clerk as she left, a small iced coffee in hand.
New Yorkers tend to be particular about their coffee and doughnuts, so the switch was considered noteworthy. There were 380 litres of free coffee to be doled out, and at the shop in Pennsylvania Station there was a ribbon-cutting whose attendees were to include Gov David A.Paterson.
Paterson was a no-show, but the event did attract Mark Green, the city's former public advocate who is running for his old job, and City Councilman David I. Weprin. It also drew two former New York Rangers hockey players, Rod Gilbert and Glenn Anderson. Tim Horton, the founder of the doughnut chain, played for the Rangers from 1969 to 1971, though he, like Anderson, spent most of his career in Canada.
Weprin said the arrival of Tim Hortons "shows New York City is on the move, we're a desirable market," adding that he was "so excited to have Tim Hortons here."
Customers at the Penn Station shop and at another new Tim Hortons, on 34th Street near Seventh Avenue, had more varied reactions. Some were familiar with the chain in Canada, but others had only read about the changeover and were eager to give the new chain a try, especially with a free cup of coffee thrown in. A few were befuddled when they arrived at what they thought was a Dunkin' Donuts, only to find it gone, the pink-and-orange decor supplanted by a more subdued dark red.
"I had no idea," said Danielle Gerard of Queens,who works near the new Tim Hortons on 34th Street."I have no choice, because I hate Starbucks and once I go up to my building I'm not coming back down. They better not do this in Queens or Long Island."
The Riese Organisation, which owns the stores,recently ended its affiliation with Dunkin' Donuts,hoping that another franchise would produce better profits.
"As the boss, I knew I wanted to replace a doughnut with a doughnut," Dennis Riese, the company's chief executive, said before the opening ceremony.
Waiting in line at Penn Station, Bari Siegel of Fort Washington said she was excited about the change."I'm sick of Dunkin'- I think their coffee has been bitter," Siegel said. But she ended up pocketing the coupon for free coffee to use later in the day. She watched a friend, Susie Goldman, also of Fort Washington, test the coffee.
"I really do like Dunkin' Donuts," Goldman said before taking a sip. Her reaction?"It's strong,"she said."I'm in. I think it'll grow on me."
Regina Elkaim, standing in line at the Tim Hortons on 34th Street, said she had never tried the chain's coffee or doughnuts, but she was optimistic.
"I am a Dunkin' Donuts fan, but I saw it on TV and I've heard good things," she said.
Tim Hortons has more than 3,400 locations,including more than 500 in the US, but until recently the closest stores to New York were in Meriden, Connecticut, and Buffalo.
Most customers seemed to prefer coffee over doughnuts, and a few ordered bagels, sandwiches or other baked goods. As they filed out of the 34th Street store, reactions were mixed.
"Well, mine's good!" Elkaim said after taking a sip of coffee."I love it."
"Dunkin' Donuts used to have larger cups,"Gerard complained to the clerk as she left, a small iced coffee in hand.
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