Livingmenu: Bridging the Gap Between Local Hawker Delights and Corporate Banquets

Singapore-based startup Livingmenu is rewriting the script for corporate banquets and large-scale events by bringing the rich flavors of local hawker food to the glitzy world of professional catering.

It’s not unusual for high-profile events to feature culinary delights sourced from some of Singapore’s top-rated restaurants. However, Livingmenu, founded by Raphael Kan, is challenging the norm and championing hawker fare, which often garners Michelin stars and enjoys enduring popularity among locals.

Livingmenu stands out as Singapore’s first and only multi-vendor catering solution, offering a 100% customizable event menu. What sets them apart is their ability to seamlessly blend selections from renowned restaurants and top hawker stalls across the island. Picture having Tian Tian’s Hainanese chicken rice sharing the limelight with freshly baked lobster or the finest beef rendang in town – Livingmenu makes it happen.

Raphael Kan initiated Livingmenu as a hawker food delivery service during the peak of the pandemic, recognizing the challenges faced by hawkers in expanding their reach. As Singapore regained normalcy and large events returned, Raphael transformed the business into a tech-enabled catering solution provider, with a mission to showcase hawker food on a grand stage.

Livingmenu not only provides smaller vendors with access to lucrative corporate orders but also promotes equality by placing local hawkers on an equal footing with professional chefs and restaurateurs. Hawkers can focus on their signature dishes, alleviating concerns about capacity, and proudly showcase their offerings alongside more traditional event fare.

In a nod to the simplicity of hawker fare, Raphael redesigned the food ordering process. Livingmenu’s client enquiry form simplifies the process, turning key information such as preferred cuisines, dietary restrictions, and budget into an AI-generated, best-matched menu. Clients can further customize the menu by adding or removing dishes according to their preferences.

Livingmenu’s unique approach has already served more than 50,000 customers, including the Parliament of Singapore. While attracting corporate giants like Boston Consulting Group, UBS, and Citibank, Raphael and Livingmenu remain committed to their true passion: preserving and enhancing the sustainability of Singapore’s cherished local food culture.

Livingmenu’s innovative model not only satisfies taste buds but also ensures that the vibrant legacy of hawker food continues to thrive in the evolving culinary landscape.