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"Food Republic" is a website founded on the idea that guys everywhere are putting food at the center of their lives like never before. This is the site for men who want to eat and drink well, and to live smart. It was launched in March, 2011 by Food Republic Media which is a company started by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson. It covers the world of food and drink from a variety of angles including - Food Politics, Recipes, Interviews, lifestyle and drinks.
In 2011, founding figure Marcus Samuelsson was named to Vanity Fair’s 2011 International Best-Dressed List[1]. In addition to his fashion notoriety, Samuelsson also has a background as a celebrity chef and cookbook author. Samuelsson has won multiple cooking awards, including the 2003 James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: New York City and being named one of the Great Chefs of America by the Culinary Institute of America as well as authoring two cookbooks: The Soul of a New Cuisine: A Discovery of the Foods and Flavors of Africa and New American Table[2]. Co-founder Richard Martin serves as the site’s editorial director.
The concept of Food Republic came from Samuelsson’s observation that most food publications were not generally aimed for men.
“Food Republic was conceived out of the idea that men are getting more interested in food from every angle, from the technology of the gadgets to the sourcing of the ingredients to what restaurant serves the best (and maybe sustainably-fished) sushi,” Martin said.[3]
According to Samuelsson, the intersection between food and politics is a conversation that the food community is just beginning to have. Martin believes the increasing number of men in the kitchen reflects a cultural shift from past generations[4]. In order to keep the website running, Samuelsson is planning on framing his narrative and point of view with his editorial team but using many outsiders to help with the site’s content.
Food Republic is divided into five main categories: food, drink, recipes, places and politics. Within these five categories contain articles on recipes and cooking tips from chefs and cookbook authors, reviews of cooking gadgets, updates on food news, articles on political and agricultural issues, the evolution of beverages, interviews with prominent members of the food and beverage community among other celebrities, and men-geared insider’s guides to hotels, shopping, and restaurants[5].
Food Republic content is also featured through blog posts on the Huffington Post.
When asked if there were plans to expand the site into a print publication or a TV show down the line, Samuelsson said he couldn’t “see beyond the launch right now.”[6]
Food Republic (Chinese: 大食代; pinyin: Dàshídài) is a food court chain run by the BreadTalk Group based in Singapore.
The concept combines local hawker fare with mini restaurants (some of which have exclusive seating) in an open dining concept. Some stalls are also run from standalone pushcarts. Food Republic's elaborate decor and furniture are designed to invoke a nostalgic kampong atmosphere.
There are currently five branches in Singapore, which are open at Wisma Atria, 313 @ Somerset, VivoCity, Suntec City Convention Centre and nex . In addition, the group operates a food court by the name of Food Opera at ION Orchard together with Tea Loft with high prices that have attracted much attention by the media and the general public.
The Wisma Atria branch seats 900 people while the VivoCity one is slightly bigger and also has a Toast Box outlet attached.
The chain also has five branches in Hong Kong, which are located at Cityplaza in Taikoo Shing, Plaza Hollywood in Diamond Hill, Citygate Outlets in Tung Chung, Silvercord in Tsim Sha Tsui and Olympian City in Tai Kok Tsui. Silvercord branch and Olympian City branch also have Toast Box outlets attached. Toast Box also has branches located at the basement level of Times Square in Causeway Bay and On Shing Terrace of Taikoo Shing. BreadTalk has also had a branch in Viva Beijing, Beijing, at which breadtalk is directly connected to.
There is also a branch located at the basement level of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia.