Chee Soon Juan’s Orange & Teal Gets a Celebrity Stopover
Six months after launching his quirky little eatery, the Singapore Democratic Party chief and café owner, Chee Soon Juan, bragged about a dash of high‑profile glamour. According to a casual Facebook update, Lee Suet Fern – the former lawyer who’s now on the sidelines after a big disciplinary saga – shuffled in for lunch.
Napkins with a Twist
To get into the “holiday spirit” (and maybe to soften a bruised reputation), Mr Chee’s co‑host and the wife of former cabinet minister Lee Hsien Yang, Mrs Lee, slipped a set of napkins wrapped in a snazzy handwritten note into the café’s door. “These napkins were inspired by your lovely new restaurant,” the note read. “I hope you and your family enjoy them.”
Chee treated the visit with all the casual cheer he’s famous for: “Thank you, Mrs Lee, for your very thoughtful gesture – we love it. It was a pleasure hosting you at Orange & Teal and we look forward to seeing you again.”
Who’s the Ash‑In‑The‑Glass?
Lee Suet Fern’s name was already on the news back in November 2020 when a trier of law‑discipline judges slapped a 15‑month ban on her practice. The verdict hit hard because of her mishandling of the late Lee Kuan Yew’s will. Even after the ban, the 63‑year‑old lawyer voiced her indignation on Facebook, insisting: “I disagree with this decision. There was no basis for this case to have even been initiated.”
While the legal world simmered with controversy, the café door opened to soft‑served pastry and a friendly nod from a former influencer turned lawyer‑in‑hole‑waste‑purposes‑arena.
Fun Facts & Future Plans
- Orange & Teal is tucked in Buona Vista – a spot that’s already cropping up on the “food‑if‑you‑can‑find‑it” list.
- Chee’s café is part of a broader attempt to blend politics with people‑pleasing pastries, a move that might even get a taste of Trump‑style “ran‑for‑tennis”? (Just kidding.)
- The napkin gift, while modest, shows that even in politics (and law), a little personal touch can go a long way.
In the world of Singapore’s high‑profile drama, whether you’re a politician, a lawyer, or just someone hungry for a good sandwich, it’s clear that hospitality still carries the most powerful vibes.
