The GRAZIA Game Changers initiative recognises the people who have been creating meaningful impact in Singapore and throughout Asia. This year, in celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, we invited the honorees from our inaugural edition to pass the torch to a new class of talented and spirited individuals. Meet Vasunthara Ramasamy, the Masterchef Singapore alumna and founder of the private dining experience Cutlery Optional, who is an ardent champion of southern Indian cuisine.
What does the term “game changer” mean to you?
Vasunthara Ramasamy (VR): A game changer is someone who changes the status quo or prevailing perspective of something. For me, it was to offer an alternative to how South Indian food has been viewed in Singapore. However, I’ve never viewed myself as a game changer.
How did you discover your purpose in life?
VR: I don’t think I’ve fully grasped the meaning of what life’s purpose is. I do what brings me the most joy and fulfilment: to learn, cook and share the food of my ancestors.
What are the qualities that you most value in people? How do you embody them yourself?
VR: I value humility and honesty in people. I try my best to embody these qualities in my words and actions. It is a constant work in progress.
How would you say you’ve played your part to be a game changer in the industry you’re in?
VR: There are several chefs and industry folk who are game changers in their own right and have paved the way for newcomers like myself. I do not view myself as a chef but a home chef, and my part in the industry is to showcase good home cooking. Through my participation in MasterChef Singapore, thosai appreciation classes, Cutlery Optional South Indian private dinners and restaurant collaborations, I try to highlight the value of home cooking.
What have been the highlights and major challenges of your journey?
VR: The highlights have definitely been sharing my love of South Indian food with guests at my private dinners and pop-ups. It was especially exciting to share my passion for South Indian cuisine with collaborations or restaurant takeovers with Chef Damian D’Silva from Rempapa, Chef Akane Eno from Ichigo Ichie, and in Paris with The Hood. These collaborations allowed me to bring my take on South Indian food to a wider audience at Rempapa, and to push the boundaries on what South Indian food can be with a Japanese-Indian fusion menu where every dish was crafted with seasonal Indian and Japanese ingredients and techniques, and with creating a South Indian menu using seasonal and local French produce in The Hood in Paris. More importantly, these collaborations have allowed me the opportunity and honour of working with established chefs at the top of their game—a major challenge of being a one-woman outfit is you only have yourself to rely on.
What are some changes you’d like to see in your industry and how would you see your role in influencing them?
VR: I’d like to see more Singaporeans take pride in their own home cooking and heritage recipes. Our culinary heritage roots us to our identity, connects generations, and is a flavourful roadmap to how we came to be. Its depth and richness is intangible. At the moment, I try my best to share what I can on my social media platforms.
What keeps you motivated and passionate about what you do?
VR: South Indian and diasporic South Indian cuisines boast an endless array of ingredients, cooking techniques, regional and micro-regional dishes. Knowing that a lifetime is not enough to learn and master all of them keeps me motivated and deeply passionate about what I do.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or life lesson that you’ve learned?
VR: Be kind to yourself and others. We’re all human.
What do you hope people take away from your journey as a game changer?
VR: I took a leap of faith and switched careers when I was 40. Anything is possible at any age.
PHOTOGRAPHY ZANTZ HAN
STYLING KELLY HSU
ART DIRECTION MARISA XIN
PRODUCER BRYAN GOH
HAIR AND MAKEUP NICOLE ANG/THE SUBURBS STUDIO, USING DIOR BEAUTY AND DUNGÜD
PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT YAM SIN YEAN
STYLING ASSISTANT CARLYN SOO