The decision to leave such a prestigious career was not an easy one. Jin Fang admitted that she asked herself several times whether she was making a mistake. The main reason for her departure was the need to care for her grandmother, who had been diagnosed with dementia.
*Cover photo for illustrative purposes only
The world of haute cuisine is one of light and shadow, where the pursuit of perfection and the prestige of Michelin stars often require total sacrifice. Yet for Chia Jin Fang, 29, one of the few female sous chefs at a three-star restaurant like Les Amis, the road to success took an unexpected turn. She traded the rigors of a Michelin-starred kitchen for the cozy warmth of her living room in Boon Lay, opening a small home café for reasons that go far beyond her passion for coffee.
A homely smile instead of impeccable service
The Noob Coffee is not just a simple café. It is a refuge where every detail tells the story of its creator. The name itself, “Noob” (beginner), is an ironic tribute to her new adventure: “I don't come from a barista background,” Jin Fang tells CNA Lifestyle, “I feel like a beginner again.”
But his drinks prove otherwise. His decades of experience as a chef translate into meticulous attention to flavor balance. Each syrup, from artisanal strawberry compote to homemade pandan, is the result of painstaking work. The menu offers classics with a gourmet twist, such as the Iced Strawberry x Yogurt Matcha, a layered masterpiece that blends the sweetness of fruit, the tartness of yogurt, and the earthy character of matcha. To complete the experience, there are special toppings, such as Burntnana (freshly caramelized banana slices) and Honey Cold Foam, a soft cream and honey foam that adds a floral and velvety note.
A love stronger than Michelin stars
The decision to leave such a prestigious career was not an easy one. Jin Fang admitted that she asked herself several times whether she was making a mistake, but it is true that,as she told Business Insider, she was working practically 14 hours a day. She also confessed that she had to work twice as hard as her male colleagues to be taken seriously. Another important reason for her departure was the need to care for her grandmother, who had been diagnosed with dementia. “I was exhausted,” she confessed, "and the hardest part was not having time for my loved ones. My family has always been there for me, but I wasn't there for them." The choice of a home-based business not only allowed her to be close to her grandmother, but also transformed her home café into a place of gathering and healing.
Unlike many home cafés, where customers simply pick up their order, The Noob Coffee welcomes guests into the living room of the family home. This choice is not only a gesture of hospitality, but also has a deeper purpose: to involve the grandmother, who sometimes helps with small tasks such as cleaning pandan leaves. For Jin Fang, these small interactions with patrons can help keep her grandmother lively and cheerful. Chia Jin Fang's story is proof that success is not only measured in titles or honors, but also in the ability to find balance, take care of loved ones, and create something new and meaningful. In Boon Lay, her little corner of happiness offers more than just coffee: it offers an experience that nourishes both the palate and the soul.
