The Team Behind Our Restaurant in Singapore

Chef Melvin is the mastermind behind the culinary team at Aloft Singapore Novena. He oversees the hotel's all-day dining restaurant, 21 on Rajah, which is Halal-certified, as well as the restaurant Yue @ Aloft in the West Wing. In addition, he is responsible for the banquet culinary operations.

With over 24 years of culinary experience, Chef Melvin is a trained expert in classical French and Italian cuisine. Born and raised in Singapore, he began his career at the young age of 16 and had the privilege of training under renowned chefs. This experience has given him a deep understanding of food ingredients, enabling him to create dishes that truly showcase their best qualities.

For a decade, Chef Melvin honed his craft and supervisory skills in an international luxury 5-star hotel. He initially oversaw the hotel's banquet culinary operations, catering to dignitaries and events at the prestigious Istana, the official residence and office of the President of Singapore. Later, he took charge of the hotel's all-day dining restaurant, elevating its buffet offerings to become one of Singapore's top choices.

Chef Melvin believes in presenting his dishes in a clean and simple manner. He lets his cooking skills and the use of complementary ingredients impress diners. Interestingly, his culinary inspiration comes from his grandmother, who he considers his favourite chef. He admires her ability to perfect simple dishes and looks up to her for her culinary skills.

With 28 years of culinary experience under his belt, Chef Bong has been passionate about cooking since he entered the industry at just 18 years old. Today, his role at Yuè goes beyond the kitchen, encompassing everything from crafting delicious dishes to developing new menus and refining recipes that keep guests coming back for more.
What Chef Bong enjoys most about working at Yuè is the warm and welcoming culture. To him, the team feels like one big family, with everyone treating one another with kindness, respect and support.

Say hello to Winnie, our Restaurant Manager of Yue at Aloft. With her warm hospitality and attention to detail, she makes every guest feel like family.

Having over 21 years of experience turning dining into unforgettable moments, Winnie is not just managing, she's curating. From welcoming guests to supporting her team behind the scenes, her grace, grit, and deep understanding of exceptional service make her a true gem to the team.

Whether it's your first visit or your fiftieth, Winnie brings warmth and elegance to every table—one heartfelt interaction at a time

With over ten years in the hospitality game, David has been part of the heartbeat of Yuè at Aloft since day one. From SOPs and stock ordering to guiding the team and working alongside management, David is the steady hand that keeps things running.

His journey in F&B kicked off in 2009 as a fast food service crew member. From there, he moved into hotel service roles, including a stint in fine dining. But, it was at Yuè where things truly clicked. Sure, the perks (hello free food and drinks) are nice, it's the joy of serving people that keeps David going. Since joining Yuè, he's also gained a deeper appreciation for Chinese cuisine and culture, something he says he's grateful to explore.

With 11 years in F&B, meeting new people still excites her every single day. Before joining Yue, she had never worked in the hotel industry. It opened the door to a whole new dynamic: welcoming guests from different cultures and personalities every day.

What she enjoys most is connecting with guests. A friendly chat, a quick joke, or hearing compliments about good service always brightens her day.

Among the team, she's known as a go-getter, the kind of reliable person who jumps in whenever situations arise and helps keep things running smoothly.

When she's off duty, you'll likely find her playing games or catching up on sleep. Horror and zombie games are a personal favourite, a little thrill after a busy day on the floor.

Some people are unsure about the path they want to take but for Li Li, with over 5 years of experience, F&B has always felt like the right place to be.

Today, Li Li is a familiar, friendly face many guests remember long after their meal. She starts her day with checking reservations and special requests, then move seamlessly into what she loves most: interacting with guests.

She builds rapport at the table, checks in as they dine, listens closely to feedback, and makes sure everyone leaves happy.

From chatting with guests to playing with the pets they bring along, every day feels different, which makes her appreciate quieter moments outside of work, where she enjoys resting at home and eating good food with friends.