Personalisation, pastry and pralines: Diageo unveils exclusive Johnnie Walker Gifting Studio with DFS at Changi

SINGAPORE. Diageo Global Travel, in partnership with Changi Airport Group (CAG) and DFS Group, yesterday celebrated the launch of the exclusive Johnnie Walker Gifting Studio at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3.

The event was attended by representatives from Diageo, CAG and DFS Group, along with top chefs and bartenders, plus local and global media and influencers.

Actor Robert Tonelli Jr. hosted the celebrations, which kicked off with welcome addresses from Diageo and DFS followed by the official ribbon cutting. He then encouraged guests to immerse themselves in the festive spirit by inviting them to choose from an array of charms, personalised ribbons, bags and gift tags to create their own bespoke gift with a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

“Offering product personalisation ties in beautifully with the shopper mission at this time of year” – Paulo Guludjian, Diageo Global Travel

The pop-up activation occupies a prime position in the Terminal 3 airside concourse
(Above and below, left to right) Changi Airport Group Senior Vice President of Airside Concessions Teo Chew Hoon; Changi Airport Group Executive Vice President, Commercial Lim Peck Hoon; Diageo Global Travel General Manager for Asia, Pacific, Middle East, India and Egypt Paulo Guludjian; DFS Group Managing Director Asia South Aymeric Lacroix; and DFS Group Changi Airport Singapore General Manager Prashant Mahboobani celebrate the launch in traditional fashion

Celebrated Singaporean chefs served bespoke treats infused with products from the Diageo portfolio and created especially for the gifting studio. Cheryl Koh, named Asia’s Best Pastry Chef 2016 (Source: The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016), served macarons infused with Johnnie Walker Gold Label, as well as dark chocolate sablé tarts infused with Johnnie Walker 18yo.

“I’ve loved being part of this special partnership. Working with the highest-quality produce to create edible pieces of art is one of the most exciting parts of being a pastry chef.” – Cheryl Koh, Pastry Chef

Janice Wong, awarded the title of Asia’s best pastry chef for two years running (Source: Asia’s 50 Best 2013 and 2014), treated guests to Baileys pralines. Pang Kok Keong from Antoinette, Samantha Tan from Awfully Chocolate and Cindy Khoo from D9 Cakery at Hilton Singapore offered The Singleton-infused bon bons, Baileys Truffles and Tanqueray No.10 Choux Puffs, respectively.

(Left to right) Cindy Khoo, Janice Wong, Samantha Tan, Cheryl Koh and Pang Kok Keong welcome Changi travellers to a tasteful extravaganza
(Left to right) Actor Bobby Tonelli, who acted as Emcee, Cindy Khoo, Janice Wong, Samantha Tan, Cheryl Koh and Pang Kok Keong

All treats showcased yesterday are available for travellers to try at the pop-up throughout the festive season. Each week is dedicated to one of the partner chefs.

The Johnnie Walker Gifting Studio is situated in the Terminal 3 Departure Transit Hall and will remain open until 9 January 2020.

Festive cocktails were served throughout the celebrations, including a Baileys-infused Eggnog; Choco-peppermint Martini with Johnnie Walker A Song of Ice; Roe & Co. infused Gingerbread Latte; Tanqueray-infused Cranberry Punch; and a festive Johnnie Walker A Song of Fire cocktail.

If you’re looking for truffle, you came to the right place (with apologies to Elvis Presley)

Cheryl Koh said, “I’ve loved being part of this special partnership. Working with the highest-quality produce to create edible pieces of art is one of the most exciting parts of being a pastry chef. This time of year is all about giving back, and I’m delighted to share my two creations with everyone here and with the travellers who will visit this beautiful gifting studio over the festive season.”

Diageo Global Travel General Manager for Asia, Pacific, Middle East, India and Egypt Paulo Guludjian said, “Today has shown how exciting and engaging this gifting studio really is. Offering product personalisation often ties in beautifully with the shopper mission at this time of year and with plenty of options to choose from we’ve no doubt our consumers will find what they’re looking for.”

While the new installation predominantly focuses on Johnnie Walker and showcases the brand’s gifting accessories and latest blends, travellers can also explore similar gifting ideas and limited editions from some of the wider Diageo portfolio including Baileys Irish Cream and limited-edition Special Release single malts.

Getting into the festive spirit(s)

The following cocktail samples are available throughout the month at the pop-up:

1. A Song of Fire – Johnnie Walker A Song of Fire, Red Grape Juice, Five Spice
2. Bailey’s infused Eggnog – Baileys, Salted Egg Yolk, Milk, Cinnamon
3. Choco-Peppermint Martini – Johnnie Walker A Song of Ice, Chocolate Milk, Mint Syrup
4. Roe & Co infused Gingerbread Latte – Roe & Co, Gingerbread Syrup, Milk Coffee
5. Tanqueray-infused Cranberry Punch – Tanqueray No. 10, Cranberry, Pink Grapefruit, Lime

 

Packing a (Tanqueray) punch: Pretty in pink via a combination of Tanqueray No. 10, Cranberry, Pink Grapefruit and Lime

The pop-up has plenty of personalisation features so guests can create their perfect gift from Diageo

‘Scottish artistry at its finest’: It also offered special releases and new illustrated expressions of the brand’s Scottish whiskies

 

Going strong on Globuy

As a lead business partner of The Moodie Davitt Report, Johnnie Walker’s story will also appear in Chinese and with a consumer voice on fast-growing Chinese B2C WeChat social media account Globuy [玩转全球免税], as part of a new collaboration between Globuy owner Extra-Aile Media in Shanghai and The Moodie Davitt Report.

Globuy aims to become “the KOL of Chinese travel retail” and already has 400,000 followers and a monthly audience of 1 million views for its WeChat social media platform promoting new launches, product availability, promotions and special offers. Underlining the strong affinity and complementary nature of the two companies work, Globuy has dubbed The Moodie Davitt Report “the KOL of travel retail B2B media”

Under the agreement, selected stories from The Moodie Davitt Report.com’s lead brand partners in beauty, fashion, luxury, confectionery and premium spirits are also published by Globuy in Chinese. These include product reviews by the Globuy team.

Globuy is promoting The Moodie Davitt Report’s platform to China’s travel retail sector and to its own consumer audience in China. The Moodie Davitt Report subsequently also publishes a curated selection of Chinese consumer feedback on the chosen stories and will reveal the results of regular consumer surveys conducted in association with Globuy.

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