Inspired on a Sunday by Carol Amendola D'Anca's enlightening LinkedIn post, beautifully outlined how a rich food culture is passed down through generations in Italy. In Italy, young children are introduced to the kitchen at an early age. They actively participate in food preparation, taking pride in their contributions to family meals.They develop a deep connection to the colors, textures, and tastes of “real food” from an early age, consuming smaller portions of what their parents eat. There’s no reliance on a heavily marketed “kids’ menu,” encouraging a relationship with food and its origins.
This profound insight resonates deeply with our vision for Sun Baker. We believe that understanding our culture through food forms the bedrock for robust identity and character development in the younger generation. This philosophy echoes in the upbringing of my children and nephews—no fast food, no kid menus. Growing up with my mother, they’ve developed a distaste for processed foods. This ethos propels my vision for Sun Baker, a handmade pastry shop introducing a modern twist to a long-lost Eastern recipe in Singapore.
The term “Bing” (饼) is a challenge for Google’s translation, often rendering it as “cake.” Hence, the Chinese term 太阳饼 (Tai Yang Bing) is translated to “Suncake.” However, the essence of “BING” (饼) lies in its main ingredients—flour and oil—a form of dough-based food.
So, what exactly is “BING” 饼, and what is its origin?
- Bing (饼) is a wheat flour-based Chinese food with a flattened or disk-like shape. Its ingredients include wheat flour, water, and sometimes oil or other flavorings.
- Cooking methods for “Bing” 饼 vary, encompassing pan-frying, griddling, or baking.
Beyond its culinary aspects, the Chinese pictorial word 饼 symbolizes a connection between “Food” and “Combine” signifying two people standing side by side, leaning against each other through food. This visual metaphor beautifully encapsulates the vision of SunFika, where “Fika,” a Swedish term for a coffee break, represents a shared moment of connection and enjoyment.