Have a cocktail for a good cause

Have a cocktail for a good cause

SINGAPORE — From Nov 28 to Dec 5, lifestyle brand Unlisted Collection will donate S$1 for every beverage sold at 14 of its restaurants in Singapore to the TODAY Enable Fund.

The fundraising effort, in conjunction with the national Giving Week movement that encourages organisations and individuals to give back to society, will involve all of Unlisted Collection’s restaurants here except Bistro November.

Prices for beverages start from S$5 at the participating restaurants, which include Pollen, Cheek by Jowl, Burnt Ends and Panko, said an Unlisted Collection spokesperson. Each restaurant’s bestselling drinks are typically its bespoke cocktails or wines, she said.

TODAY is the official media partner of the TODAY Enable Fund, while SG Enable,an agency that helps the disabled, is its administrator. The fund, set up almost a year ago, helps individuals with disabilities to achieve their aspirations and enhance their education, skills and employment prospects.

Unlisted Collection, founded by hotelier and restaurateur Loh Lik Peng, came to know about the fund through SG Enable. The brand has donated to SG Enable in the past and the spokesperson said the Giving Week opportunity would allow it to make an even bigger contribution.

Besides donations, it offers job opportunities to those with special needs. “To date, we have one full-time employee with a hearing disability who has worked with us as a junior sous chef in one of our kitchens since 2016,” said the spokesperson.

Through an ongoing project with SG Enable and special education schools, Unlisted Collection offers potential candidates job-shadowing sessions for a taste of work in the hospitality sector, with the intention to hire, she said.

It has also donated in-kind and hosted charity events at its restaurants. For instance, Spanish restaurant Esquina recently hosted the Silent Dinner, where proceeds went towards raising deaf awareness.

Staff are also encouraged to take part in marathons to support good causes, said the spokesperson.