DRIVING INNOVATION: SYMPHONY CONFECTIONS' WORLDWIDE VISION
With its award-winning Symphony Spread Black Sesame Cream, the brand combines indulgence with authenticity, staying true to its clean-label philosophy of “no artificial colouring, no preservatives, and no refined sugar.”
Fresh from winning the prestigious SIAL Innovation Gold Award at Food & Drinks Malaysia by SIAL 2025, Director Clement Leong shares how Symphony’s vision is resonating with consumers and industry leaders alike, the impact of global recognition, and the company’s ambitions to bring its unique spreads to new markets around the world.
What makes Symphony Spread Black Sesame Cream so innovative?
At Symphony, our aim was to create something truly unique and distinctive within the spread category. While black sesame is still relatively new to many international markets, and not everyone has yet had the opportunity to experience its rich, nutty profile, we believe its potential is immense. What truly sets our Black Sesame Cream apart is our commitment to using pure black sesame, which imparts a naturally strong aroma and a deeply authentic taste to the product.
However, innovation for us extends beyond just flavor; it's fundamentally about values. We stand firmly by our "3 NOs" philosophy: no artificial coloring, no preservatives, and no added refined sugar. By adhering to these principles, we are able to offer a healthier alternative for consumers who are increasingly seeking natural and better-for-you options in their diets. Our overarching goal was to successfully combine the indulgence typically associated with a chocolate spread with the wellness benefits of clean-label ingredients, and we believe this unique combination is what truly makes our product stand out.
How has winning the SIAL Innovation Gold Award Food & Drinks Malaysia by SIAL 2025 (FDM 2025) helped your business?
Winning the SIAL Innovation Gold Award at Food & Drinks Malaysia by SIAL 2025 (FDM 2025) has been a truly transformative experience for our business. This prestigious recognition has provided us with significant visibility on a global stage, demonstrating to the industry that even a young company like Symphony can introduce something novel and exciting to the market. Following the announcement, we observed a notable increase in interest from potential partners who were impressed by our concept and began reaching out with genuine inquiries. This award has undoubtedly opened numerous doors, facilitated valuable conversations, and, perhaps most importantly, instilled in us the confidence to aim even higher.
Crucially, it also reassured us that our vision to create healthier, more authentic spreads resonates not only with consumers but also with industry leaders who share our belief in the future of food.
Can you tell us about your experience at the show?
Our experience at Food & Drinks Malaysia by SIAL 2025 was nothing short of inspiring. We had the invaluable opportunity to connect with a diverse range of buyers, innovators, and food enthusiasts from across the globe. Each conversation served as a significant learning opportunity, allowing us to gain insights into consumer preferences in different regions and to stay abreast of the latest global food trends.
What truly made the experience special was not merely showcasing our product, but also being able to share our story—how Symphony began with a dream to create food that connects people through taste and culture. The show provided us with renewed energy, invaluable knowledge, and crucial connections that we are committed to leveraging as we continue on our journey.
Looking to the near future, what are your main goals? Are there any specific markets you are trying to reach?
Looking ahead to the near future, our primary goal is to successfully introduce Symphony Spread to the global market. We firmly believe that food possesses a unique power to connect individuals across diverse cultures, and it is our aspiration that everyone—from Asia to Europe, and from America to the Middle East—will have the opportunity to experience our distinctive spreads. We are actively exploring distribution channels and partnerships that will enable us to achieve this ambitious international reach.