Exotic epicurean adventures abound at one of the most anticipated food and wine festival in Singapore
Singapore’s reputation as a food-lovers paradise is certainly well deserved – and the World Gourmet Summit has arguably helped to set the foundation for this global accolade over the years. The annual event, now in its landmark 22nd edition, has played an instrumental role in drawing culinary superstars to the country. No surprise then, that this is now one of Asia’s most anticipated food and wine festivals.
This year, the WGS, which runs from 2 to 29 April, is going off the beaten track. The spotlight will be on lesser known international cuisines from far flung corners of Asia, Eastern and Central Europe and South America. Special guests include Hispanic and Mexican food expert Juan Pablo, who is hosting a Mexican fiesta at El Mero Mero and Csaba Harmath, the foremost authority on Hungarian food and wine.
Some of the hottest meal tickets in town are those helmed by visiting international masterchefs, including Kevin Thornton, Ireland’s first to receive two Michelin stars, the first and only current female Sicilian chef to be awarded a Michelin star; and Akira Back, an American-born Korean whose bold interpretations of Asian-American fare at JW Marriott is changing perceptions of this immigrant cuisine. There are also masterclasses and chef panels to check out.
Undoubtedly, mouthwatering events abound through the Summit, but for the time-starved, here are three signature experiences to sign up for.
The Discovery Brunch, Tamarind Hill
Date: 8 April
Seize the opportunity to hobnob with the who’s who of the F&B industry at this annual gourmet party. This is the brunch to attend to catch influential chefs and culinary personalities letting their hair down as they wine and dine on the first Sunday of this month-long event. Of course, expect nothing less than “world-class” bites and handcrafted beverages to fuel the soiree. The organisers are keeping the exact menu on the down-low for now – all the better to surprise guests on the big day.
Tamarind Hill
30 Labrador Villa Road
Singapore 119189
Tel: +65 6278 6364
Hommage a Paul Bocuse with Julien Royer, Odette
Date: 12 April
One of Singapore’s most acclaimed chefs, Julien Royer will pay tribute to the legacy of another culinary luminary, Paul Bocuse, at this heritage dinner in Odette. Bocuse, who passed away in January, was one of the pioneers of nouvelle cuisine and remained a standard bearer for French cuisine through his life. Chef Royer’s dinner will be a culinary exploration of Bocuse’s legacy. It’ll feature some of the latter’s most famous dishes, including Soupes Aux Truffes “VGE” (truffles and foie gras in chicken broth), which was created for the French president in 1975.
Odette
#01-04
National Gallery Singapore
1 Saint Andrew’s Road
Singapore 178957
Tel: +65 6385 0498
Hungry for Hungary, La Brasserie
Date: 21 April
Presented by Chef Peter Szabo of Budapest’s acclaimed La Parilla, consider this seven-course dinner at La Brasserie a crash course on the robust flavours of Hungarian cuisine. Chef Szabo is best known for his inventive use of lesser known ingredients, such as monkfish, Brik pastry, calf brain and Hungarian sausage. The last item will be used to make a savoury crumble for the fermented gherkin cream soup, which will be served as an amuse bouche at this meal.
La Brasserie
The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
80 Collyer Quay
Singapore 049326
Tel: +65 6597 5288
