SATS’ food business stretches far beyond aeroplanes. We provide meals for supermarkets and restaurants in Singapore, Japan, India, and Europe, frozen ready-to-eat food in Thailand and China, and even meals for schools and hospitals in Singapore.
Home Team Academy (HTA) officers and trainees with SATS Defence Catering (HTA Cookhouse) team
SATS also feeds the army and police force through its Defence Catering arm. Every day, SATS food trucks deliver hot meals to prisons and cookhouses across Singapore. Inside training academies like Home Team Academy (HTA), SATS runs full-scale kitchens serving thousands of meals to future officers of the Singapore Police Force, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, and Singapore Prison Service.
Syed Shahrizal, Senior Operations Executive, Defence Catering (Home Team Academy)
At HTA’s cookhouse is Syed Shahrizal, Senior Operations Executive, who has been with SATS since 2013, starting as a chef in the kitchen.
“I joined SATS to try something new,” Shah recalls. “I used to work in hotels, plating dishes for customers. At SATS, I learnt to cook for thousands. It’s challenging, but I grew to love it.”
When he was promoted to an executive, Shah shifted from cooking to menu planning, working closely with dietitians to curate meals that meet strict nutritional standards.
In 2023, as Shah was riding up to Kuala Lumpur to see his family, a routine he followed every weekend, he was injured in an accident and now uses a wheelchair.
His doctors estimated two to three years of recovery. But Shah couldn’t stay away from work too long. “I felt that I needed to work to reduce the stress of being in a hospital,” he says.
By April 2024, Shah was back at the HTA cookhouse. His role was adjusted to focus on menu planning and documentation. “SATS Team was flexible. I have physiotherapy every Friday, so they allow me to leave early. And when I cannot do a task because of my condition, they simplify it for me.”
Shah used to step into operations whenever there were manpower limitations, but now that he couldn’t, he just helps in any way he can. “I miss being in the kitchen and cooking. Hopefully, I get to do it again soon.”
SATS’ Institutional Catering arm serves food to government agencies like the army and the police
HTA’s cookhouse runs two kitchens: Halal and Non-Halal. The kitchens produce at least 4,000 meals a day (depending on the number of trainees) for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and night snacks.
Feeding trainees is not straightforward. Each trainee, because they undergo intense physical training (drills, endurance exercises, and long hours under the sun), needs a minimum of 3,000 calories per day. Shah factors this into every menu. “That means their breakfast must meet 500 calories, lunch 1,000, dinner 1,000, and night snack 500,” he explains. “Calories fuel their performance, prevent fatigue, and support their muscle recovery.”
Beyond calorie requirements, Shah also needs to strictly adhere to the Health Promotion Board guidelines. This includes using lower-sodium options, healthier cooking oils, mixed whole grains, and limiting fried items to two per week.
So, while trainees often request fast food like McDonald’s, Shah explains, “We can’t cater to every request because we have to follow health guidelines.”
Every meal served at the cookhouse meets the calorie and nutritional requirements set by HPB and HTA
What’s on the menu then? Breakfast at HTA might include savoury bao and curry puff with hot Milo. Lunch and dinner feature rice, two types of meat, vegetables, soup, and a flavoured drink. Night snacks? “That’s their favourite food,” Shah smiles. “Cream roll and cake.”
The taste matters, too. “We consider spiciness levels,” Shah says. “Halal consumers usually prefer spicier food, while non-Halal consumers don’t.”
Of course, food safety is non-negotiable. “All cooks have food hygiene certification,” Shah explains. “From raw to cooked food, we follow strict SOPs in preparing and serving our food at the cookhouse.”
It wasn’t easy to regain his confidence and return to his routine, especially riding his bike to see his family or travel to work. “The first few months were a struggle. I was used to riding alone, but now I have to take public transport. I wore a mask and glasses to cover up because I was shy about being a wheelchair-user,” Shah admits.
Over time, Shah grew more comfortable in social settings. Once a month, he wheels around the dining area to talk to the trainees about the food. “I ask them what could be improved, and we take that feedback into account when planning the next menus,” he says.
Once a month, Shah speaks with the trainees to hear their feedback on the food and factors it into planning the next menus
Watch also: Ask SATS featuring Syed Shahrizal (Defence Catering)
His commitment was applauded even before his accident. In 2021, HTA commended him for his service when migrant workers were housed at the academy, and the team had to produce meals for them. In 2025, HTA recognised his hard work again during the general elections service.
Shah is confident he will recover soon, especially because his workplace supports his journey. His advice to those facing tough times: “Just don’t give up and stay with those who encourage you.”
