FEATURE STORY

Upon walking into the ballroom of Chui Huay Lim Club on 11 March 2017, the first thing that catches our eye is the stunning décor: mirroring the prestige of an Oscar Awards ceremony with its black, gold, white fixtures and a ceiling full of glistening balloons, it was a setting fit to mark the jubilation of our 3rd JUMBO Rewards Gala Night. 

This year, more than 240 JUMBO Rewards members and guests arrived at Chui Huay Lim Club donned in glittering, gold outfits, accessorizing with dazzling smiles that truly amplified the theme of our event – 30 Golden Years. Even from the registration tables, many could already hear the sound of music brought by a live band that jazzed up the occasion with a repertoire of classics such as “Can’t  Take My Eyes Off  You”, “Fly Me To The Moon” and the like. Everyone was getting into the mood with song dedications and rounds mingling even before the event officially commenced!

Meanwhile, amidst the growing buzz, a sumptuous 7-course dinner banquet was being prepared in the kitchen. With menu highlights such as Seafood Pumpkin Soup served in Coconut Husk, Lobster on Half Shell Wok-fried with Salted Egg and, of course, the much-anticipated, completely fuss-free Deshelled Chilli Crab Claw with Man Tou, it is no wonder that our guests were savouring their food in much delight.

But the games segment was really what saw our members jumping to their feet and roaring with laughter. From paper airplane throwing to spontaneous chicken dances, it was truly heart-warming to see our members let down their hair, uninhibited in their sporting participation amongst those they considered to be family. As Mr. Vincent Tan, our long-time member of 13 years, confirmed: “JUMBO is literally my second home. It feels familiar, like our family’s own cookhouse. I have been a member long enough to even see various staff members get promoted; I feel overjoyed to witness their growth. JUMBO is like my family, and definitely my family’s favourite place to gather”.

▲ Festive spirits were further amplified with colourful lights filling the entire ballroom!

 

▲ The sporting and fun-loving side of our JUMBO Rewards members had them leaping out of their seats in excitement!

▲ Mr. Vincent Tan, our loyal member with his entire family – grandchildren included! Even his son-in-laws are JUMBO Rewards members!

▲ Our members taking on their forfeits with a big smile!

 

▲ Early-comers beginning to relax and get comfortable whilst being serenaded with
live music

▲ Eagerly collecting the items for the treasure hunt competition!

▼ All smiles and laughter as the night progresses

 

Another key highlight of our JUMBO Rewards Gala Night is always the crowning of Best Dressed male and female, and it was Mr. Wilson Wong and his wife, Ms. Nancy Sim who undoubtedly stole the show. The pair gave new meaning to the phrase “dressed like royalty” with the killer combination of Ms. Sim’s Cleopatra-inspired dress and Mr. Wong’s bejeweled headpiece. “It’s so much fun to dress up!” Ms. Sim gushed excitedly. “We put effort into our outfits every year—yes, we attend every year—we even cancelled our trip to Seoul to be here today. JUMBO is more important to us and we expect to be here when the company celebrates 100 years, when my grandchildren can bring me to eat next time!”   

▲ It was a wonderful sight to witness our members dancing the night away

▼ Our members for more than 15 years, Mr. Wong and Ms. Sim stole the limelight in their dazzling outfits

 

Of course, there was another factor contributing to this elated atmosphere – the Grand Lucky Draw! The party reached its peak as everyone began crowding onto the dance floor to hear the results being announced, grooving to the beat of classics such as “YMCA”; some even cha-cha-cha-ing with our Group CEO and Executive Director, Mr. Ang Kiam Meng on stage as he drew the lucky names! It was truly a moment of exuberance as the evening ended with much cheer.   

But no one leaves a JUMBO event empty-handed, and our members and guests gleefully received their bag full of goodies, including, but not limited to, our retail packs such as Chilli Crab Paste, Black Pepper Spice and Cereal premix, a NETS Flashpay card with an $8 stored value and return vouchers to some of our restaurant brands!

“The ambience and atmosphere tonight has been fantastic,” said Ms. Sylvia Poh, whose first time attending our Gala Night was certainly one for the books. “At the end of the day, JUMBO is the place I choose to celebrate special occasions. I remember celebrating my husband’s 60th and even my father’s 90th birthday at JUMBO. I hope the company will not stop here, but achieve even better and greater things in the years to come!”

A huge thank you as always to our members for their unending support – it is all of you who have made our last 30 years truly golden.