SINGAPORE - With over 2,500 rooms, Marina Bay Sands - one of Singapore's
largest hotels - sees thousands of guests checking in to the hotel on a daily
basis.
But even then, the hotel establishment is only a part of a mega integrated
resort (IR) which also operates a casino, shopping gallery, a
convention centre, two theatres and a museum, among others, like a city within
a city.
Ever wondered how a property of its scale operates round the clock? What
keeps it ticking?
These were the curious question that got AETN All Asia Neworks TV producer,
Chris Humphrey, interested in creating a reality TV series on Singapore's
second IR, which opened in June 2010.
New reality TV programme, 'Marina Bay Sands - 24/7', which premiers on
Thursday evening on Bio channel. takes viewers behind the scenes of MBS,
gaining access to the people, the preparations and the perfection that goes
into running the property.
"This is the first time that we have worked on a series that focuses
entirely on a single property, and it makes every sense to, given the iconic
status of MBS and what it symbolises to the world," said Louis Boswell, General
Manager of AETN All Asia Networks.
While MBS may be famous for its cantilevering SkyPark and swimming pool
hoisted on a ship-like structure at the 57th floor of the building, it is the
people behind the property that Mr Humphrey was particularly interested in, he
told the media at a press conference.
Through ten real life "characters", who were carefully selected for the
programme, viewers will see the inner workings of the IR.
The show promises an 'unprecedented and exclusive look' into the "Heart of
House" - the command centre of the IR - from which, daily instructions are
dished out; and where 9,000 staff mill around unnoticed to guests and a hi-tech
closet sorts out 9,000 uniforms a day.
We often see the glamorous facade Singapore's iconic integrated resort,
but have you seen this bustling underground labyrinth?
>> Read the full story here
In "Feeding the Masses", viewers will get a sneak peek into the kitchen to
see how Executive Chef Christopher Christie pulls off the biggest dinner ever
held at the property.
Christie and his team had to juggle some two tonnes of ingredients to dish out
an eight-course meal for over 5,000 guests. In comparison, there were only
1,900 guests who attended Prince William and Kate Middleton's royal wedding and
they were only served canapes.
The central kitchen caters to all the food and beverage outlets at MBS,
including in-room service meals.
But other than that, the kitchen also feeds its 9,000 staff who work at the IR.
To cater to the different shifts of the day, the kitchen serves four meals a
day at the team dining halls.
The four meals a day include breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper.
When AsiaOne was there, the chefs decided to have a special buffet line,
serving pizza. Chefs will brainstorm and cook food from different cuisines
every now and then as a treat to the team members.
MBS has two team dining rooms with varying seating capacity of 350 pax and 750
pax.
Team members also can have free access to computers during their break time.
