Meet Tiana Ludhani from Hong Kong’s Singular Concepts, which brings out-of-the-box ideas to the F&B industry

Singular Concepts is a hospitality group in Hong Kong specializing in unique, hedonistic, out-of-the-box F&B venues. The group is behind renowned names such as The Daily Tot, Entourage, Bianco & Rosso, Kinsman, Barkada, The Trilogy, Barcode, Yurakucho, Tell Camellia and NOOK. Described by its co-founders as “the gatekeepers of making the world better one plate/drink at a time,” Singular Concepts embodies a forward-thinking approach to hospitality by focusing on imagination and creativity in its venues. 

At the helm of this vision is Tiana Ludhani, co-founder and chief marketing officer. Born in Taiwan, Ludhani’s family is from Barbados, and she studied in Australia before coming to Hong Kong. A mix of global influences and experiences has influenced her passion for the F&B industry. Since 2022, Ludhani has helped fuel Singular Concepts’ success with its unique and immersive venues across the city. 

“Each of our venues is a narrative waiting to unfold, a space meticulously designed to engage all senses and transport guests on a captivating journey of culture and taste,” says Ludhani. TMS caught up with Ludhani to learn more about how Singular Concepts powered through the pandemic and continues to bring to life new venues in the city. 

A mix of marketing and foodie passion

After graduating from university in Sydney, Ludhani’s passion for marketing began with her work for the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, a government-backed agency. She honed her skills by working on creative initiatives surrounding iconic Australian landmarks such as Sydney Harbour, Darling Harbour and the Opera House. “My passion for curating exceptional food and beverage experiences blossomed during my time there, particularly through my involvement in food festivals,” Ludhani recalls.

This passion, also “fueled by a deep love for wine, coffee and rum,” led to her involvement in creating the Aroma Coffee Festival. “This groundbreaking event gathered a diverse array of boutique coffee suppliers from regions spanning the Middle East to Asia, showcasing a rich tapestry of coffee cultures, from Turkish coffee to Arabic brews.” 

After returning to Hong Kong, Ludhani was met with a frenzy of marketing opportunities, starting with her taking up a position at Moonlight Agency. “I created campaigns for them and worked on various levels of marketing and branding with their internal team, and it furthered my passion for F&B marketing,” explains Ludhani. From there, she moved on to other high-profile projects such as Beef & Liberty, Foxglove, Dr Fern’s and the Epicurean Group, with each adding to her growing F&B palate. 

The birth of Singular Concepts

The next chapter of Ludhani’s career began when she met business partner David Sit. Together, they co-founded The Daily Tot in early 2020, just as the COVID pandemic was taking hold. This Caribbean-inspired rum bar was a special project for Ludhani, who has family roots in Barbados. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, their vision to create a rum bar rooted in Caribbean culture was a hit with Hong Kongers, and they continued growing their portfolio of venues. “We seized opportunities to expand our horizons, birthing a series of successful ventures such as Bianco & Rosso, Yurakucho, Entourage and Barkada,” says Ludhani. 

The success of these ventures eventually led to the creation of Singular Concepts in 2022, and the group now oversees 11 venues and employs over 200 staff. “With Singular Concepts flourishing, my focus shifted towards shaping the brand’s identity, honing marketing strategies, and orchestrating captivating events,” Ludhani explains.

“Barkada and Kinsman, which are Singular Concepts venues, hold a special place in my heart,” adds Ludhani. Barkada, a restaurant co-founded with Jen Balis and Singular Concepts, caters to the heart and soul of Filipino dining and culture while adding a modern approach. Kinsman, headed by Gavin Yeung, is a cocktail bar that showcases the traditional flavors of Chinese and Cantonese spirits with a mix of past and present. “Working with Gavin and Jen to bring these respective concepts to life is truly a dream come true,” Ludhani says. “The talent they bring to the table inspires me every day.” 

Creating an inclusive and supportive workplace culture

Ludhani, alongside her team, also prioritizes an inclusive and supportive company culture. “A cornerstone of my ethos at Singular Concepts is fostering a culture of work-life balance,” she says. “With my team, some of them are mothers with young children. I promote a strong work-life balance and create schedules with them so they can work from home when needed or manage their hours in order to attend their child’s school functions, etc. We’re all adults here; they know what their jobs and duties are, and I trust they have a handle on things and respect the workspace as I, in turn, respect them.” 

Ludhani’s commitment to corporate social responsibility is another cornerstone of Singular Concepts and “is honestly the best part of my job,” she admits. For the past four years, the group has extended Negroni Week into Negroni Month to raise funds for charity. Other initiatives include Ladies Who Pink, which brings together female bartenders to help raise money for cancer charities, and Movember, raising awareness for men’s mental health.“These causes are very near and dear to my heart,” Ludhani shares, mentioning that she has cancer survivors within her family.

As Singular Concepts continues to grow, Ludhani remains focused on creating memorable experiences for both locals and tourists through each of these venues. “As a whole, we’re still in the works of building new concepts and bringing new stories to tell,” she says. “The future holds exciting prospects as we continue to weave new stories and create unforgettable experiences for all who walk through our doors.”