If you ever get the chance to sit across from Lakshmi Menon—an experienced healthcare professional, strong supporter of fertility awareness, and current CEO of TMC Fertility Holdings (soon to be called Thomson Fertility)—you’ll quickly notice two things. First, she’s not just someone who knows her field well; she’s someone who truly lives and breathes it. Second, behind her calm manner and thoughtful words lies a strong sense of purpose—the kind that comes from over 25 years of working in healthcare (and likely hundreds of high-level meetings).
24MAY/JUNE 2025
24MAY/JUNE 2025 TASTE
TROPICANA LIFESTYLE25DISHES THAT TELL A STORYKUKI’s menu is a tapestry of textures and tastes, where Japanesetradition meets plant-based innovation.Start your journey with the Beetroot & Tapioca Cracker — a vibrant,refreshing dish where beetroot is used across crackers, sauce, andsalad, offering a fine palate that’s anything but earthy. Light andbright, it’s an ode to clean eating with flair.Clockwise from left: 4piece Special Maki Mono;juicy and bright CubedWatermelon Salad; Crispyand sweet Beetroot &Tapioca CrackerNext, the Nasu Dengaku No “Kakuni” Age — layered tofu andeggplant in house-made sauce — offers a satisfyingly juicy andcrispy bite, echoing the comfort of classic Japanese dishes witha vegan twist. Rumoured to mimic the texture and flavour of theChinese style roast pork, it did have a very meaty presence about itwith every mouthful.Then there’s the Charcoal Mushroom Karaage. Smoky, earthy, andbeautifully marinated, these hand-held delights come with a richchickpea mayo and detoxifying charcoal — the ultimate guilt-freeindulgence. With a quick squeeze of the wedge of lime and its lightcitrus flavour cuts through the mineral like flavour of the coal.For something refreshing and playful, try the Cubed WatermelonSalad, topped with a tofu cream made in-house and a citrusylime note hidden at the bottom. Finished with edible flowers, it’salmost too pretty to eat (almost).
