As the year draws to a close, one finds a pause between what has been and what lies ahead – a time for reflection on achievements, challenges, growth, and gratitude. In this spirit, GastroSense’s annual “Christmas with a Cause” initiative continues, featuring a creative collaboration between two chefs known for their artistry both in and out of the kitchen: Kenjiro “Hatch” Hashida of Hashida Singapore and Hashida Tokyo, and Rishi Naleendra, the chef-owner behind 2-Michelin starred Cloudstreet, Sri Lankan restaurant Kotuwa, and FOOL Wine Bar.
The project, titled “Tomorrow”, is centred on mental health awareness and the theme of resilience and hope. Chef Hatch and Chef Rishi have joined hands to create an art piece that symbolises the fluidity of life, the duality of darkness and light, and the enduring human spirit. The chefs, both deeply passionate about giving back, wanted their artwork to highlight the importance of mental health.
The art piece has been reproduced on t-shirts, tote bags and stickers in limited quantities. They are available for purchase from today (5 November 2024), with all net sales proceeds benefiting local non-profit organisation, The Tapestry Project.
The creative process began with a poem penned by Chef Hatch, a poignant reflection on life’s uncertainties, the inevitable passage of time, and the powerfully consuming nature of hopes and dreams. Hatch then gave visual form to this poem by digitally illustrating a jellyfish with long, flowing tentacles, backlit by the sun’s rays.
Building on Hatch’s vision, Chef Rishi drew from his Sri Lankan roots to add layers of symbolism. Particularly inspired by Hatch’s expression of fluidity, he modelled the traditional art form of “Liyawel”, ornamental carvings or paintings of vine-like flora often seen in temples. In the same intricate ink, he adds the mythical two-headed “Bherunda”, the bird symbolising the unison of the divine masculine and feminine, and the unity of material and spiritual realms - an emblem of wisdom, fortitude, and prosperity.
This collaboration not only reflects the artistic passions of the two chefs but also serves as a call to action for greater mental health awareness, particularly in a year that has seen many challenges in the F&B industry.
GastroSense is honoured to connect this collaborative effort with The Tapestry Project, supporting their community-driven mental health advocacy work. The Tapestry Project is a non-profit organisation that harnesses the power of storytelling to spark conversations about mental health; to foster awareness, literacy, and social inclusion.
