As one of more than 50,000 entrants in The Straits Times Lucky Draw to reward the newspaper's print readers, Madam Pauline Tan was surprised to find herself the winner of a four-month three-star Michelin sommelier wine subscription worth $520.
The 68-year-old housewife admits the wine will be an occasional after-dinner treat since she is not a regular drinker, but it at least gives her a chance to share these specially-selected offerings with others.
"I might give some away," she said, letting on that she has a wine-loving relative who would be thrilled to receive a bottle.
A Straits Times subscriber for more than 30 years, Madam Tan was hoping to walk away with the grand prize: a trip for two to any location in the world.
The trip, which includes a 10-night stay at a hotel of the winner's choice, is the last of five prizes up for grabs in a giveaway targeting print subscribers.
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Background Story
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In next week's giveaway, one lucky winner will win an ultimate dining experience at Shinji by Kanesaka in Raffles Hotel, an extension of two-star Michelin Chef Shinji Kanesaka's Edo-style sushi restaurant, first set up in Tokyo's Ginza district.
The winner will be able to take along a maximum of eight friends or family members for the dining treat, worth up to $10,000, which includes Suntory whisky and sake.
The group will get to sample traditional culinary masterpieces, including Toro and sashimi. The dishes will be prepared by Master Chef Koichiro Oshino and his team of seven native Japanese chefs.
WINNERS
Name: Pauline Tan
Passcode: ST33MKQ5LYJS
Last 5 characters of NRIC: 3276C
Name: Vivien Tay
Passcode: ST32CEYBBWKM
Last 5 characters of NRIC: 5810C
Name: Choo Koon Quee Allan
Passcode: ST134347EUNW
Last 5 characters of NRIC: 9553C
Name: Tay Pheck Lay
Passcode: ST31RZH5LQHX
Last 5 characters of NRIC: 5295Z
Name: Mak Wai Min Grace
Passcode: ST24DQLBFBHQ
Last 5 characters of NRIC: 5008I
"This is the first time I joined the contest. It is a very simple contest, so I thought I'd just give it a try," she said.
As all unsuccessful entries are automatically entered in the subsequent draw, Madam Tan was hoping her submission would make it into the fifth and final round.
Instead, it was picked in the Week 3 draw, which took place yesterday.
The prize entitles Madam Tan and four other winners to two bottles of wine each month.
These wines will be handpicked from both prestigious regions and less-explored parts of France and delivered to their doorsteps.
Passcodes for the lucky draw can be found in the Life section of the paper from Mondays to Fridays and may be submitted online at www.readsph.com/straitstimes.
Only print copies of The Straits Times contain the passcodes.
Next week's prize will be a Japanese dinner for nine at Shinji by Kanesaka at Raffles Hotel worth $10,000.
