In a quiet French village far from the bustling streets of Singapore, one man has found his rhythm in the steady rise of dough and the crackle of a wood-fired oven.
That man is Ewan Irwan, the Singaporean baker behind Le Fournil de Saint-Robert – SARL IRWAN, a small village bakery known for its traditional wood-fired sourdough.
For Ewan, who has spent more than two decades in France, bread is more than food — it is art, tradition, and a bridge between cultures.
Staying True to His Singaporean Roots
Despite living in Europe for over 20 years, Ewan said he has never lost touch with his identity.
“I’m still a normal Singaporean guy from the beginning,” he joked.
He explained that he stays connected by speaking English with Singaporean and Malaysian friends, listening to Asian music, and, as he put it, “I think all this is from the heart.”
On whether he experiments with Singaporean flavours in his baking, Ewan explained that he prefers to keep his shop offerings authentic.
“I tried some local Malay food, and I mixed it with the croissants, but I believe in keeping these things classic and authentic. Some things are just not meant to be fused.”
Bread as Art and Life
Ewan has come to see bread as more than just sustenance. Having lived in France for 22 years and baked for 19, he said the bread culture there is on a completely different level.
“Some people are so complicated when it comes to bread. They prefer to drive a few kilometres to buy a quality bread,” he explained.
“Bread making can be compared to an art. It’s something alive, and you have to be patient and delicate with the whole process. Seeing it change from flour to a dough and finally bread is just incredible. You have to experience it to understand,” he added.
Part of his dedication lies in preserving tradition. Ewan still uses a wood-fired oven, which he describes as the “ancient way” that gives bread its unique taste and longevity.
“‘Old skool’ is the in thing now,” he added. “The bread can last four days to a week, and the taste is just different if it’s done correctly,” he said.
Finding Peace in Rural France
One of the biggest contrasts with Singapore, Ewan shared, is the calm and peace of village life, a far cry from the constant noise and bustle of the city. To him, it feels almost like rediscovering a kampong spirit.
Speaking to Wake Up Singapore, Ewan admitted that initially, he felt like an outsider.
“For an Asian guy coming to a small French village and doing a sacred job to the French, they were scared that I could not live up to the standard French baker,” he shared.
Fortunately, over time, his passion, generosity, and commitment to baking good bread won them over.
Today, when he takes holidays to return to Singapore, many of his customers jokingly remind him to come back quickly, not wanting to be left without their baker.
Explaining Singapore to the Curious
Living in France has also meant becoming an informal ambassador for Singapore. Many locals, he said, were unfamiliar with his homeland, with some even assuming it was in China.
Whenever the topic comes up, he takes the chance to explain and show them videos or photos of Singapore. Many are surprised to see how modern the city actually is.
Looking Ahead
When asked if he would ever consider opening a bakery in Singapore, Ewan stated that it is a difficult decision.
“I am considering, but there are already many bakeries in Singapore.”
For now, his heart and his bread remain in France, where tradition, community, and a sense of belonging continue to shape his journey.
Watch the video here:
@saysdotcom @Nandini Balakrishnan A Singaporean baker in a French village?! This incredible man has been baking traditional French bread for the past 18 years, perfecting an entirely new skill, having left his life as an engineer in his home country decades ago. Left Singapore TAPI Singapura tetap di hati! Love how he’s kept his culture and roots alive through it all. 🇸🇬🇸🇬🇸🇬 He operates on little to no sleep, not only baking some of the best of the bread in France but also providing a community hub, it really is the dough that holds the village together. The only trouble is I don’t think the village will ever let Ewan leave, let this man have a holiday please! HEHE. JK. @ewankalis101, thank you for welcoming me into your home and life, showing us how passion and dedication plays a major role in creating something special and lasting. PROUD NEIGHBOUR HERE. 🥹❤️😭 Le Fournil de Saint-Robert – SARL IRWAN 11 Rue Edouard Blanchard, 19310 Saint-Robert, France Closed on Mondays
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