The best judge of modern cuisine lies in the eye; the feast does not start if the phone has yet had a taste. We have all been there, as charged or as witness: rearranging the plethora of plates, shifting the flashlight for the optimum highlight, or even the cameo appearances of (un)willing hand models. The world of gastronomy now extends beyond Michelin stars and sterling reviews. We, too, want the glitz and jazz of the performance. Enter C.R. Tan.
C.R. (Chun Rong) is an A-star player when it comes to the food photography game. Amidst his rustic cinematic flares and artistically directed styles, C.R. has amassed a following of foodies seeking their next to-go spot. Not just that, his extensive portfolio has caught the attention of many brands globally, from media outlets such as Straits Times and CNN Travel to the big clients of Google and Guinness.
“I started my passion in food photography from cooking while I was running a recipe blog” he shares some of his creations to the team, reminiscing his humble beginnings. “As a perfectionist, I wanted to do justice to my culinary creations, which led me to teach myself food photography. It came with a lot of self-experimentation and practice,” he says, “After eight years in the running, I decided to start my very own boutique agency — Chun Tsubaki, a creative commune that gathers like-minded creatives with a passion for branding, design, and photography.”
To pursue photography in a climate that does not give it enough flowers is one thing, but to pursue an even more niche branch of photography is another level of audacity. “I’ve always been driven by a desire to break boundaries and defy conventional norms,” he explains, noting how it is not always easy to make it in this industry. Yet his words hold hope, his passion burning for something that is beyond fame nor recognition. “My aspiration is to intertwine my lifestyle seamlessly with my entrepreneurial ventures, leveraging my creativity and unconventional thinking to continuously innovate and push boundaries within the design and F&B industry. I want this journey to empower others, whether it is to inspire fellow entrepreneurs or mentoring the next generation to achieve their own dreams.”
It feels almost second nature for him to want to inspire the next generation, because that is how his passion began in the first place. He talks fondly of his mother, an icon that lives forever in the heart of his craft. “I have an unwavering love for Asian food, and Singapore has such a diverse multicultural landscape where various cuisines coexist harmoniously. My comfort food, though, lies in the dishes my mother used to cook.” A story many can relate to, his memory of his mother’s love transcends fine dinings and famed chefs. “It might sound cliched, but I believe the most important ingredient is the love and care you put into cooking for someone.”
It is apt to say C.R. is an artist in the world of epicurean pursuits, but in between his camera flashes and savoury glazes, lies a passionate man devoted to pour his craft into a delectable plate. Bon appétit to the eyes.
