While studying at SMU, SMU alumnus Zac Chua’s love for popcorn inspired him and a friend to experiment with different popcorn flavours when they realised that the local market only offered the sweet and salted versions. After garnering favourable response to his new popcorn flavours and clinching corporate orders, Mr Chua founded The Kettle Gourmet in 2017 with capital amassed from investments and trading during his university days. Since then, The Kettle Gourmet has rolled out local-flavoured popcorn that now includes Cookies and Cream, Baileys and Teh Tarik, which have been well-received.