Kitchen Talks: Adeline Tan
2011-02-28
Adeline Tan, owner and chief smoodees of Lins Smoodees and Bar introduces to us a new drink that is healthy as well as tasty. Find out how this idea of a green smoothie came about with our very own Q and A with her.
Where did the idea of Lins Smoodees Bar and Showroom start?
My dad first introduced it to our family about two years ago after he attended a Green Smoothie class that was organized by one of the organic suppliers. From that day on, he brought home the blender with a high horse power, which is an essential tool of a raw food diet. From there, we started making healthy smoothies at home.
The idea of Lins Smoodees Bar and Showroom started because my family has been consuming it and we see the benefits of having more raw greens in our diet. We found out that as we consumed more greens, our energy level became more stable. You don’t get your sudden highs and lows. That’s specifically because of the green smoothies.
How did you come up with the name, Smoodees?
Smoodees is a word that I coined myself. Basically, it’s the word smoothie plus the word “dee” which means good in Thai.
What was the first smoothie you tried?
I can’t remember, but his smoothies were always out of this world. He would put things like Lady Fingers, Chives, Walnuts, Brazil Nuts, etc. Of course, he also added in all sorts of fruits. He would also throw in whatever leftovers we had from the fridge.
What were the preparations/ trainings you did for your smoothie business?
I attended a series of Raw Food Classes from my dad’s own raw food coach where he learned his green smoothies from. It ran for about two months and another three months for my on-the-job training. My raw food coach personally educated me on the benefits of these healthy greens.
What were your biggest challenges along the way?
I think it’s the main hurdle of anyone setting up their own F&B operation. You would think about all your overheads such as your rental, capital, manpower…all of that comes to mind. For myself, my background has always been in services. But when you’re doing goods as your business, that was a different ballgame and that proved to be my biggest challenge. It was a whole new dimension, operating procedure that I learned from scratch. Fortunately, I do have friends in the business who guided me and gave me support, whether it was moral or business.
Before the whole Smoodees business, my biggest challenge was whether I should forego my stable income and pursue it. It took me some time to start up my business because I was with SMU for 5 years. But even then, I was already thinking of a business concept that I could be able to commit to. And I found that connection with the green smoothies
First smoothie flavor you did for yourself?
Mango, orange, and Caixin for the greens.
First one you did for Lins Smoodees Bar and Showroom?
For Greenhorn, it was Banana, Watermelon, Passionfruit, Avocado, and Spinach.For Popeye, it was Mango, Pineapple, Passionfruit, Pumpkin Seed, and Kalian. It’s a dark leafy green belonging to the family of kale. For Peter Pan, it was Red Dragon Fruit, Pineapple, Avocado, Passion Fruit, Fuguicai, and sunflower seeds.
How many flavors do you have now?
I have more than 50 combinations!
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