Baking the Future: Taylor’s Culinary Institute Unveils Loaf & Latte, a Student-Driven Live-Lab Café

Taylor’s Culinary Institute proudly introduces Loaf & Latte (L&L), its latest live-lab concept, a modern bakery and café at Taylor’s Lakeside Campus designed to seamlessly bridge academia and industry. More than a commercial outlet, Loaf & Latte serves as a real-world learning platform where students transform classroom knowledge into professional practice, gaining valuable exposure to business operations, customer engagement, and culinary innovation.

The live-lab integrates academic modules directly into daily operations, allowing students from diploma to postgraduate levels to acquire hands-on experience under expert guidance. Through initiatives such as the Talent Development Programme, high-performing Bachelor of Patisserie Arts students receive mentorship and internship placements in Michelin-starred restaurants and Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (MOF) outlets.

Loaf & Latte also redefines training standards through paid internships and Bakery Takeover Projects, where students independently manage the café’s menu, operations, and marketing strategies. In its upcoming phase, the Entrepreneurial Incubator will support graduates in launching new bakery ventures, with potential expansion under a franchise model.

Beyond education, L&L serves as a hub for innovation and industry collaboration, hosting pop-up events, masterclasses, and supplier showcases featuring Michelin-starred chefs, MOF artisans, and global culinary brands. The café also acts as a platform for industry recognition, innovation testing, and community engagement, connecting students, alumni, and partners in a vibrant and professional setting.

Through Loaf & Latte, Taylor’s Culinary Institute continues to uphold its commitment to world-class culinary education, blending academic excellence with practical innovation. This initiative embodies Taylor’s DNA, nurturing creativity, entrepreneurship, and leadership to shape the next generation of culinary professionals.

Honouring Research Excellence: Dr. Irfan Hameed Named Among Stanford’s Top 2% Scientists in the World 2025

Dr. Irfan Hameed from the School of Media and Communication has been recognised among the world’s Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University, a prestigious acknowledgment that reflects his exceptional scholarly contributions in the field of advertising. With over 15 years of academic and research experience, Dr. Irfan has established an extensive publication record in high-impact journals indexed in ABS, ABDC, FT50, Web of Science, and Scopus, while successfully leading several funded research projects. His research encompasses areas such as live-streaming, AI persuasive agents, social media influencers, user-generated content, advertising, and interdisciplinary applications, all contributing significantly to both theoretical advancement and industry practice.

His recent work explores models including the Uncanny Valley Effect, Trust Transfer, Social Response Theory, Technology Readiness Index, Herd Mentality, and Source Credibility Theory. A unifying theme across his research is the examination of psychological, social, and technological triggers that shape consumer decision-making in digital environments. This remarkable achievement underscores the depth and impact of his research, particularly in advancing critical insights that resonate with both global industry practices and academic discourse. It also stands as a testament to Taylor’s University’s strategic commitment to fostering research excellence that addresses pressing global challenges through innovative, interdisciplinary inquiry.

The faculty extends its warmest congratulations to Dr. Irfan Hameed on this distinguished recognition, which not only marks a significant personal milestone but also enhances the School of Media and Communication’s standing on the international stage.

Empowering Futures: Taylor’s Team Ecosphere Excels at the ICCA Asia Pacific Business Events Youth Challenge 2025

Taylor’s University proudly celebrates the remarkable success of Team Ecosphere, represented by Elissa Choo Ze Ern and Oh Ee Qian from the Bachelor of International Events Management (Honours) programme, who secured Second Place at the 4th International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Asia Pacific Business Events Youth Challenge 2025. The prestigious competition was held in Goyang, South Korea, and hosted by the Goyang Convention & Visitors Bureau (GoyangCVB).

The international challenge attracted over 60 submissions from 10 countries and territories across the Asia Pacific region, showcasing some of the most promising young talents in the global business events industry. Team Ecosphere impressed the international judging panel with their innovative strategies to enhance the delegate experience, demonstrating creativity, professionalism, and strategic insight. Designed to nurture the next generation of business events professionals, the ICCA Asia Pacific Business Events Youth Challenge provided a platform for participants under 30 to present sustainable and forward-thinking solutions to real client briefs. Finalist teams were invited to Goyang City to deliver their presentations, with the top winners earning exclusive opportunities to attend the ICCA Congress.

Team Ecosphere’s accomplishment reflects not only their dedication and ingenuity, but also Taylor’s University’s commitment to developing future-ready graduates equipped with global perspectives and leadership capabilities. The team was mentored by Mr. Ch'ng Chor Ban, Senior Lecturer at the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events, whose guidance was instrumental in shaping their success. Appreciation is also extended to Sin Ying Tew and Sie Yi Hang for their support throughout the competition journey.

Taylor’s University extends its gratitude to Peter Lee, Dora An, and the GoyangCVB team, as well as Waikin Wong, Sheaufen Lee, and the international judging panel from ICCA Asia Pacific, for creating an inspiring platform that celebrates young innovators in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. This achievement reinforces Taylor’s University’s standing as a leader in hospitality, tourism, and events education, empowering students with the skills, creativity, and confidence to excel on the global stage.