Lynette Foo

Professionally Trained Chef | ACE-Certified Personal Trainer | Licensed Singapore Tourist Guide | Accredited Adult Educator | Entrepreneur

“Reflecting on this incredible 20-year journey, it’s been truly fulfilling to watch Palate Sensations grow from a humble start in my own home to thriving in larger spaces. Thousands of participants have honed their culinary and baking skills along the way, and it brings me immense pride to know that Palate Sensations and our passionate chef instructors continue to inspire and contribute to Singapore’s dynamic culinary scene.”

A Passion for Food, Fitness, Travel and Lifelong Learning

Lynette Foo is the founder and owner of Palate Sensations Culinary School, an established culinary education institution in Singapore since 2005. With more than two decades of entrepreneurial leadership, she has built a respected business offering professional culinary training, recreational cooking classes, corporate team building and customised culinary experiences.

Beyond her achievements in the culinary industry, Lynette is an ACE-certified personal trainer, licensed Singapore tourist guide and accredited adult educator. Her diverse professional interests reflect a lifelong commitment to learning, wellness, active living and discovering the world through food and culture.

Her approach to business and life is grounded in a simple philosophy: work hard, stay curious, keep learning and let achievements speak for themselves.

From Corporate Executive to Culinary Entrepreneur

Originally from Sydney, Australia, Lynette graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from the University of New South Wales and subsequently qualified as a Chartered Accountant. She went on to build an international corporate career spanning Australia, Asia and Switzerland, before completing an MBA in General Management at IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland.

After more than 12 years in the corporate world, Lynette decided to pursue her passion for cooking and established Palate Sensations from her home kitchen in 2005.

The business quickly developed into a dedicated culinary school, opening its first professional studio in 2006 before relocating to Biopolis in 2010.

Under her leadership, Palate Sensations has grown into a recognised name in Singapore’s culinary education landscape, welcoming thousands of participants and developing a broad range of programmes for individuals, aspiring culinary professionals and corporate clients.

In 2023, Lynette expanded the business regionally with the establishment of Palate Sensations Team Building Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

Throughout the school’s development, she has remained closely involved in its strategic direction, business operations and programme development. Her experience combines the commercial discipline of a professionally managed business with a genuine passion for culinary education.

Having navigated changing consumer preferences, economic cycles and an evolving culinary industry, Lynette believes that long-term success depends on maintaining high standards, adapting to new opportunities and continually delivering value to customers.

Her ambition is to ensure that Palate Sensations remains at the forefront of culinary education in Singapore and continues to grow its presence in the region.

Culinary Expertise, Professional Training and Industry Recognition

Lynette is a professionally trained chef holding a Diplôme de Cuisine, with additional specialist qualifications in Thai Cuisine from Le Cordon Bleu Bangkok and Asian Pastry from BITC Singapore.

Her commitment to professional education extends beyond culinary techniques. She holds the WSQ Advanced Certificate in Learning and Performance 2.0 (ACLP) from Singapore’s Institute for Adult Learning and is an HRD Corp Accredited Trainer in Malaysia.

These credentials complement her practical experience in culinary instruction, training development and adult education, allowing her to bring both professional expertise and structured teaching methods to the learning environment.

Over the years, Lynette has also become a trusted source of industry knowledge and professional insight. She has been interviewed on numerous occasions by media organisations, particularly CNA (Channel NewsAsia), to provide expert perspectives and commentary on the culinary profession.

Her contributions reflect her extensive experience as a culinary entrepreneur and educator, offering practical insights drawn from years of building and operating a business in Singapore’s food and training industry.

Although recognised for her expertise, Lynette has never sought a public profile for its own sake. Much of her work takes place behind the scenes, where her focus remains on developing the business, supporting her team and maintaining the standards that have sustained Palate Sensations over the years.

Fitness, Wellness and Active Living

Outside the kitchen, Lynette is passionate about physical fitness, wellness and healthy ageing.

As a certified personal trainer with the American Council on Exercise (ACE), she advocates the importance of regular exercise, strength, mobility and good nutrition as foundations for long-term health and independence.

Her background in both culinary arts and personal training gives her a practical understanding of how food and physical activity contribute to overall wellbeing. She believes in enjoying good food without compromising an active, balanced lifestyle.

An enthusiastic runner, hiker and adventure traveller, Lynette has completed half marathons and undertaken challenging treks, including Camino de Santiago in Spain, Fansipan in Vietnam, Mount Rinjani, Mount Agung & Mount Batur in Indonesia, Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia, Everest Base Camp in Nepal, Altai Mountains in Mongolia, Chomolhari Trek in Bhutan, Overland Track & Larapinta Trail in Australia and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

She also holds a current Standard First Aid + AED certification from the Singapore Red Cross, which she diligently renews before expiry. This reflects her commitment to safety and preparedness in both her professional activities and personal adventures.

For Lynette, staying fit is not about chasing trends or appearances. It is about having the strength, energy and confidence to continue enjoying life, exploring new places and embracing challenges at every age.

Discovering Singapore Through Food, Culture and Heritage

Building on her love for travel, history and cultural discovery, Lynette is also a licensed Singapore tourist guide.

Through her tourism brand, SG with Lynette (@sgwithlynette), she offers private and customised experiences that introduce visitors to Singapore’s heritage, neighbourhoods, food traditions and everyday life.

Her tours include heritage walks, food and wet market explorations, cultural experiences and guided running tours, combining her professional interests in cooking, fitness and tourism.

Rather than following a rigid script, Lynette prefers an engaging, conversational approach that encourages questions, spontaneous discoveries and meaningful connections.

She believes that understanding a destination goes beyond visiting landmarks. It is about discovering the people, traditions and stories that give a place its character.

Looking Ahead

More than 20 years after founding Palate Sensations, Lynette remains committed to its future.

Her vision is to build on the school’s established reputation while continuing to innovate, strengthen its culinary programmes, develop new business opportunities and respond to the changing needs of the industry.

She believes that a business earns its reputation not through publicity or past achievements alone, but through consistency, integrity, professional standards and the trust it builds over time.

Lynette’s own career reflects that philosophy. From corporate management to culinary entrepreneurship, adult education, fitness and tourism, she has continued to pursue new qualifications and challenges, driven by curiosity and a belief that learning should never stop.

Outside her professional commitments, she is also an advocate for animal welfare and the philosophy of “adopt, don’t shop”, sharing her home with three rescue cats.

For Lynette, success is about building something meaningful and lasting, remaining true to her values and continuing to make a positive contribution through the work she does.

Professional Qualifications

Discipline	Qualifications
Culinary Arts	Diplôme de Cuisine; Certificate in Thai Cuisine, Le Cordon Bleu Bangkok Certificate in Asian Pastry, BITC Singapore
Adult Education	WSQ Advanced Certificate in Learning and Performance 2.0 (ACLP), Institute for Adult Learning, Singapore HRD Corp Accredited Trainer, Malaysia
Fitness	Certified Personal Trainer, American Council on Exercise (ACE)
Tourism	Licensed Singapore Tourist Guide
First Aid & Safety	Standard First Aid + AED, Singapore Red Cross (current certification)
Business & Management	MBA (General Management), IMD Business School, Switzerland Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), University of New South Wales, Australia Chartered Accountant