The brand positions itself as a “one-stop culinary wonderland” intended to inspire customers to “Cook, Bake and Host”.6

ToTT’s identity is intrinsically linked to its parent company, Sia Huat. Founded in 1959 by Tan Chah Sia, the business began as a small household goods retailer in Singapore’s Chinatown, originally selling basic kitchen and domestic products.2 Over subsequent decades, it evolved from a conventional shop into a major foodservice supplier and distributor serving professional kitchens, hotels and hospitality businesses.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the founder’s son, Tan Choon Boon (C.B. Tan), took an increasingly active role, steering the company towards supplying kitchenware and equipment to the hospitality industry and establishing distribution relationships with international brands. In 1982, the business was incorporated as Sia Huat Private Limited, with C.B. Tan as Managing Director and his sister Katherine Tan as Executive Director, subsequently building a significant distribution network across Singapore and the region.3

ToTT was not created as an isolated start-up but rather as a strategic extension of Sia Huat’s professional expertise into the consumer market. For decades, the parent company had served professional clients, but identified a growing opportunity as ordinary consumers became more interested in cooking, baking and higher-quality kitchen equipment. The concept for ToTT emerged after C.B. Tan observed specialist culinary lifestyle stores overseas, particularly in the United States and Australia, and believed Singapore’s growing community of cooking enthusiasts could support a similar format.4

This concept addressed a gap between standard department store offerings, professional restaurant suppliers and specialist lifestyle retailers, aiming to bring a professional kitchenware experience to consumers through an experiential shopping environment.

ToTT officially launched in October 2010. Its original flagship at Dunearn Road occupied approximately 36,000 square feet and was designed as a comprehensive culinary destination rather than a conventional retail shop.5 The facility incorporated a large retail area, cooking studios, classes for cooking and baking, a cookbook section, a “Bake & Go” area, a bistro, event facilities and space for demonstrations.6

This experiential approach became a defining characteristic of the brand. The name “Tools of the Trade” reflects the philosophy that kitchen equipment serves as the essential toolkit for cooking, emphasising the functional relationship between the cook, tools, ingredients, technique and the finished dish. This heritage also maintains a connection to Sia Huat’s professional foodservice background.

ToTT offers a broad assortment covering most aspects of the modern kitchen:

• Cookware: Frying pans, saucepans, stockpots, Dutch ovens, woks, induction-compatible items and professional-style equipment.
• Bakeware: Baking tins, cake moulds, trays, accessories, measuring equipment, decorating tools and specialty items.
• Kitchen appliances: Food processors, mixers, coffee equipment, air fryers, ovens, ice-cream machines and countertop appliances.
• Tools and utensils: Knives, peelers, graters, spatulas, tongs, whisks, thermometers and food-preparation equipment.
• Tableware and entertaining: Plates, bowls, servingware, glassware, cutlery, drinkware and hosting accessories.
• Homeware: Storage solutions, waste bins, household accessories and lifestyle products.

The catalogue features international brands such as Cuisinart, Nordic Ware, de Buyer, Arcoroc, WMF, Zebra and Zyliss, alongside ToTT’s own products and those associated with the Sia Huat group.27 ToTT also retails private-label products under its own name, as well as Sia Huat-developed brands like Safico and Cerabon, allowing for greater control over product selection, pricing and specifications tailored to the Singapore market.9

The brand’s identity is anchored by a three-part proposition:

• Cook: Encompasses all aspects of food preparation, from basic utensils to sophisticated appliances.
• Bake: A dedicated component covering bakeware, tools, ingredients-related accessories and baking education.
• Host: Products for entertaining, including servingware, tableware and glassware.

This framework positions cooking not merely as food preparation but as a social and creative activity, historically supported by the integration of retail with classes, demonstrations, events and dining.10

A distinctive feature of ToTT is its cooking-school component. Purpose-built studios have been used for cooking and baking classes, children’s sessions, demonstrations, private parties, corporate team-building, studio rentals and culinary events.11 This creates a business model where customers are encouraged to learn and experience before purchasing, distinguishing it from traditional transactional retail. Classes function as both an educational service and a customer-engagement strategy.

Following its Dunearn Road flagship, ToTT expanded to Suntec City in 2015, opening a 4,800 sq ft store with a hands-on cooking studio designed around the same core proposition in a compact urban format.7 In 2018, the brand relocated its Sime Darby Centre store to Century Square in Tampines. Spanning 7,511 sq ft, this move aimed to strengthen ToTT’s presence in eastern Singapore and marked a strategic shift towards smaller, more geographically accessible retail formats.8

As of 2026, the official website lists two physical retail locations:12

• ToTT @ i12 Katong: 112 East Coast Road, #02-09/10, Singapore 428802
• ToTT @ Suntec: 3 Temasek Boulevard, #02-427, Singapore 038983

Older references to Dunearn Road, Century Square or IMM pertain to earlier stages of the retail network and do not reflect current operations.

ToTT operates an online store at shop.tottstore.com, offering local shipping within Singapore and Click & Collect services.10 The digital platform complements physical retail by providing access to a broader catalogue, promotions and brand-specific collections. The modern business model integrates three connected pillars: physical retail for product inspection, online retail for convenience, and culinary experiences for education and engagement. This omnichannel approach is strategically significant in the kitchenware category, where physical demonstration often influences purchasing decisions.

ToTT occupies a position between mass-market retailers and professional suppliers, offering mid-range to premium products with strong educational and lifestyle elements. Its key differentiator is the provision of tools, knowledge and environment for culinary enthusiasts rather than simple product sales.

The customer base includes:

• Casual home cooks: Seeking everyday pans, utensils, storage and appliances.
• Serious home cooks: Prioritising materials, construction, performance and professional techniques.
• Bakers: Drawn by the extensive bakeware assortment and specialised classes.
• Entertainers: Interested in table settings, servingware and hosting accessories.
• Gift buyers: Purchasing for weddings, housewarmings, festive seasons and other occasions.
• Corporate clients: Utilising cooking studios for team-building and events.

ToTT remains part of a family business lineage connected to the Tan family. Grace Tan, daughter of C.B. Tan, has played a significant role in the development, marketing and management of the retail concept, blending traditional family business values with professional B2B expertise and modern consumer retail.8

The brand received early industry recognition at the 2012/2013 Global Innovation Awards organised by the International Housewares Association in Chicago, where it achieved a national-level win representing Singapore. This accolade acknowledged ToTT’s innovative approach to housewares retail and design, validating its then-novel format combining kitchenware, education, lifestyle and entertainment.

ToTT benefits from several structural advantages derived from its parent company:

• Distribution network: Decades of relationships provide access to products that independent retailers may struggle to source.
• Product expertise: Heritage in serving professional chefs allows for an assortment extending beyond ordinary household cookware.
• Physical experience: Opportunities for customers to inspect and test products before purchase.
• Culinary education: Classes drive footfall and engagement independent of immediate purchasing intent.
• Brand ecosystem: Integration of retail, e-commerce, content, recipes and events reinforces customer loyalty.

The website further supports this ecosystem with recipes, guides, videos and class information, shifting the engagement from “what product do you need” to “what do you want to cook”.12 A membership programme offers rebates, rewards and promotions to encourage repeat patronage.10

• 1959: Sia Huat founded in Singapore’s Chinatown.
• 1967: C.B. Tan becomes involved, steering the business toward foodservice.
• 1982: Chop Sia Huat incorporated as Sia Huat Private Limited.
• 1990s–2000s: Expansion of distribution and brand portfolio.
• 2010: ToTT launches as a consumer-facing culinary destination.
• 2013: National recognition at the Global Innovation Awards.
• 2015: Opening of Suntec City store.
• 2018: Relocation to Century Square, Tampines.
• 2020: Sia Huat opens consolidated 55,000 sq ft distribution centre supporting e-commerce and exports.
• 2026: Current retail footprint comprises i12 Katong and Suntec locations.12

1. Story | ToTT Store Singapore
2. Premium Arcorc Tableware Online – ToTT Store Singapore
3. The humble beginnings of ToTT, a household kitchenware retailer and lifestyle store – Home & Decor Singapore | Home & Decor Singapore
4. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5. FOR  IMMEDIATE  RELEASE
6. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7. Tools of The Trade Launches New Store at Suntec City
8. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASETools of the Trade Announces New Store at Century Square Cook, Bake and Host at Singapore’s one-stop culinary haven in the east Singapore, 6June 2018–The largest kitchenware and tableware store in Asia, ToTTStore, announces the relocation of its retail flagship storeafter nearly a decade as a familiar landmark in Bukit Timah. Located attheup and coming newly-revamped Century Square, the concept store spans 7,511sqft of culinary retail space and will feature a curated selection of cook, bake, and hosting-related merchandiseand a convertiblecookingstudio. ‘ToTT Store continues to inspire cooking, baking and hosting through careful curation of the products and cooking classes we offer. For the first time, and after many calls from our faithful customers on the eastern end of Singapore, ToTT will have a spanking new store in the East at Century Square. Situated on the second floor of this newly renovated building, we are excited to share footfall with other key tenants such as Mahota, Gymmbox and Filmgarde to provide a one-stop lifestyle and shopping experience.’ -says Grace Tan, Director of ToTT Store.
9. Media Relations | ToTT Store
10. FAQs – ToTT Store Singapore
11. Kitchenware Shop Singapore | Kitchen Equipment Singapore
12. Explore ToTT | ToTT Store