Mr. Poh Say Eng

Restaurateur

The Tavern Restaurant

 

If there’s anyone who is steeped in F&B experience it is Mr Poh Say Eng, the owner and restaurateur of The Tavern Restaurant. This gentle and soft-spoken gentleman has been in this business since a teenager. Originally from Malaysia, Mr Poh Say Eng started working at the Kuala Lumpur Merlin Hotel at the tender age of 17.  He juggled a part time job while continuing his secondary school education during the day for eight full years.  In 1970, Mr Poh came to Singapore to work as restaurant Captain for the Genghis Grill at the former Ming Court Hotel.  Later, he moved over to the Shangri-La Hotel as its assistant food and beverage cost controller. In Shangri-la, he rose to become an outlet manager and eventually was the Maitre d’ Hotel.  During his 11 years at the Shangri-la, he was sent for numerous familiarization trips to the top Westin hotels in Hong Kong, Tokyo and USA.  In USA he was also sent to Cornell University for a summer course by the hotel.

Thereafter he ventured out to start a short-lived French restaurant.  In 1985, he joined Movenpick as the Manager of Operations until it closed in 1994.  He said,” I would not have started The Tavern Restaurant if Movenpick did not cease operation.”  He claims that he found 229 River Valley Road by chance.  At the age of 50 years old he took a chance and started a restaurant of his own.  It was indeed a wise decision and The Tavern has since become one of the best places to head for Swiss and Continental cuisine.  Mr Poh’s philosophy is simple. He believes that great service is the most important quality that a restaurant can offer apart from the food.  With his wealth of experience in the service industry, he is the best person to make his customers feel welcomed and at home as you savour The Tavern’s delectable cuisine.

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