Aw’s Market held its first Facebook Live on 29th July this year. We thought we’d bring you on-board by recounting this exciting journey, including some excerpts from the very people who planned this Facebook Live.


How it all started

Our Facebook live originally started off as a small idea, as all good things do. We were in the thick of collaborating with USMEF to promote U.S. imported beef cuts. And in the course of things, USMEF actually scored Chef Pung – one the “four heavenly kings” we often saw on MediaCorp – to be on our social media account. Wah seh, that would be a great auntie puller. It then transpired that he would do a Facebook Live cooking session using our USDA range of beef to make Singapore-inspired dishes. And, furthermore, these would be exclusive and new recipes developed specially for this event.


The lead up
It was all very exciting as the team scrambled to put together a programme while looking for a host that would banter well with Chef Pung on screen. We thought long and hard for a suitable host who could engage well with our audiences. It was eventually settled on who else but the legendary Irene Ang?SCORE.

What did you do during the lead up to the fb live?
Celine: I was in-charge of planning the logistics of fb-live, liasing with the production crew and promoting the fb live, which included overseeing the creation of media collaterals.
Claire: Together with the rest of team, I came up with the programme, deciding what we wanted featured and promoted through the show. We also came up with a publicity plan to create awareness about this live so that it would boost the effectiveness of this Live.
Was it stressful organizing a Facebook Live?
Celine: Yes. It was everyone’s first time organizing a Facebook Live, so we did not know what to expect. We even had a rehearsal or a trial run, but it was very nerve-wrecking as everything had to be done over just the course of a few weeks!
Claire: My most stressful period was 3 weeks before the live. After a meeting, I realized we still had a ton of things to do. I had stayed back in the office until 09:30pm that day. And no other day to compares to that.
Celine: Not even the actual day? Actual day, I was damn stressed eh.
Claire: Not even the actual day!


The day of the Facebook Live

At the cooking studio, most of the food was being prepped and readied hours before the show. Someone was parading the USDA beef cuts from Aw’s Market and it looked drop dead gorgeous.


Aw's Market's Fresh and Chilled US Beef Ribs Shabu ShabuLook at these beauties

Soon, the video team comes down and starts getting to work immediately.


That was where the cool part came in. Livestreaming does not just happen. There is a whole set-up involved. They did sound tests, pitched their professional crane-like tripods, and even placed a professional audio mixer behind the scenes. It was rather amazing how quickly the video team made everything come together.


With cameras poised and sound checks done, all of us took a breather to eat our dinners.


By 8pm, stars of our Facebook Live streamed in and were fitted up with microphones for the mini rehearsal that occurred right before it was to go live. The clock was ticking and very quickly, the video team was already counting down to broadcast of the livestream.


“Ten minutes to broadcast!”
“Three minutes to broadcast!”
“One minute to broadcast!”

Everybody was shushed and all mobile phones were reminded to be placed on Silent mode.


The audiences as well as the comments start to chalk up in numbers. And as soon as our host Irene Ang speaks of a giveaway, there is a torrential flow of comments. The comment moderators are overwhelmed but thankfully, there are a few of them dealing with it.


Irene launched naturally into her jokes and it is difficult not to laugh. With the funny repartee between Chef Pung and Irene, the hour passed by quickly and easily.


At 10:08pm someone shouted “Cut!” It is almost funny how Irene did not even skip a beat to exclaim that “everyone must try the beef leh!” We aren’t joking when we say she was truly enthusiastic about Chef Pung’s cooking. So unless you’re married to Chef Pung, you must try making the recipes. Try out the recipes down below!!


What was your favourite moment about the Facebook Live?
Celine: Being starstruck by Irene Ang, but unfortunately, I was so busy during the actual Facebook Live that I could not fully appreciate her.
Claire: When Irene Ang called me the or her “marketing girl”and featured me on her IG Live.
Celine: Haha, I knew it! I was just saying that was gonna be your favourite moment.
Claire: But I was unglam [when that happened]… sooo…