Resorts World Sentosa’s New GREAT Food Festival and Marina Bay Sands’ Established Epicurean Market: A Comparison
PUBLISHED July 31st, 2017 06:00 am | UPDATED August 14th, 2017 11:46 pm
There’s a plethora of food and drink events happening in Singapore annually. The 2017 edition of the Singapore Food Festival has just come to a close and we’re fast approaching one of the biggest food festivals in the calendar – Marina Bay Sands’ ever-popular Epicurean Market, which is returning for the fifth year next weekend. You’ve probably also heard that our other integrated resort has teamed up with the folks at Savour to bring consumers the inaugural edition of The GREAT Food Festival, taking place in late September at Resorts World Sentosa.
At first glance, the latter sounds uncannily similar to the Epicurean Market. This leads us to wonder if it’s possible to talk about one or the other, without making comparisons? We think not; with such a delicious dilemma, which to go to, who to see, and what to eat and drink. Here, we have a quick taster of what each will offer.
The GREAT Food Festival
To be held between 21 and 24 September 2017, The GREAT Food Festival is the first ever collaboration between Resorts World Sentosa and Savour Events, the group behind the popular SAVOUR series and $100Gourmet. We’re expecting over 100 signature dishes and 300 delectable desserts and pastries from Michelin-starred chefs and award-winning restaurants, spread over five sprawling segments across 215,000 square feet.
Highlights
The Star Chef Arena is where you’ll find the best of the best. Expect over 50 dishes curated by some of the world’s greatest chefs, starting from just $10. Move on to the Rollin’ Sweet Times section for Southeast Asia’s largest dessert and pastry showcase, to be tried or taken home as you meet the trendiest bakers (Clifford Luu of Cakes by Cliff and Colombia’s Julian Angel) from all around the world. Have a sweet tooth? Try your hand in a workshop or two.
Festival goers can also look forward to one-of-a-kind dining experiences at The Feast of Kings, while the Connoisseur Collection offers a series of sensational four-hand dinners, where RWS resident chefs collaborate with international chefs, taking place on 25 and 26 September. At Heritage Lane, which is open to the public, discover heritage-inspired bites and family recipes from Spain and Thailand to Mexico, Italy, and Indonesia, as well as Singapore’s Labyrinth and Blue Lotus.
Star Power
Aside from the team of RWS celebrity chefs coming together for the first time, there will be international culinary stars from around the world, bringing the total count to over 30 celebrity and award-winning chefs. Names include Osia Restaurant’s Scott Webster, Forest’s Sam Leong, British chefs Adam Handling and Ben Spalding, and American Top Chef winner Kristen Kish!
Pricing
$78 gets you a TGFF Experience Pack for a single day lunch or dinner session. You’ll have free access to celebrity chef masterclasses, a surprise goodie bag when you register for selected sessions, as well as $35 worth of credits to spend at the Star Chef Arena, and another $10 for the Rollin’ Sweet Times. Ah, there’s complimentary parking too. The dishes are strikingly accessible, starting from $6 at the Heritage Lane.
Epicurean Market 
The well-established Epicurean Market is now in its fifth year, and things look set to be just as massive. Happening from 11 to 13 August 2017 at Marina Bay Sands, this is one magnificent food and wine extravaganza that has proven itself year after year.
Highlights
Look forward to a line-up of contemporary dishes and cocktails inspired by Singaporean flavours, as well as signature dishes by the likes of Bread Street Kitchen, Waku Ghin, and CUT by Wolfgang Puck. You’ll even get a special preview of Lavo, the multi-concept lounge bar and nightclub serving Italian food, and some excellent maze soba from Ippudo – two restaurants that will be opening soon.
Back again is the crowd-favourite Farmer’s Market, where home cooks and foodies can shop for fresh produce and gourmet products sourced from the best producers in Asia, Europe, and North America, including brands such as Huber’s Butchery, The Cheese Artisans, Sincere Dim Sum, and Épicerie Boulud. So is the late-night after party on 11 and 12 August, as the space transforms into a dance floor for a banging experience.
Vinos will be able to sample from hundreds of labels from wineries and distilleries from all over the world at Wine Garden, as well as learn more about top-shelf wines and spirits from world-class chefs, bartenders, and industry experts with Connoisseur Series – an assortment of paid masterclasses. Finally, tickle your taste buds with signature local dishes like roti prata and rendang pipi daging at the local food section, along with the hawker-inspired cocktails at the new Kampung Bar.
Star Power
You’ll get to rub shoulders with award-winning chefs like Waku Ghin’s Tetsuya Wakuda, Osteria Mozza’s Nancy Silverton, and Adrift’s David Myers as they host over 20 complimentary masterclasses on making bite-sized treats, creating Californian Izakaya cuisine, and much more. Masataka Taketsuru, the founding father of Japanese whisky, will also be present to share his knowledge!
Pricing
Get the full three-day Epicurean Market Pass for $39, which includes a free signature dish from any of the stalls worth $15. You’ll have to pay more for access to any of the Connoisseur Series masterclasses, which ranges from $38 for an Italian wine workshop to $188 for one on Japanese single malts.
Our takeaway:
While more global big name chefs will be making their way down to The GREAT Food Festival, we like the fact that Epicurean Market has more focus on reflecting the food culture of Singapore. There’s also the farmer’s market, which is always nice for some indulgent grocery shopping.
The prices are generally cheaper at the latter, but that’s only if you don’t intend to attend any masterclasses. Even then, Epicurean Market’s workshops are mostly limited to the drinks sphere, while The GREAT Food Festival is more aligned to food. The two events at their core are rather different, and we’re expecting great and different things from both of them. We can only wait to see how they both go down.
The GREAT Food Festival is happening from 21 to 24 September 2017 at Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269. Get your tickets here.
Epicurean Market is happening from 11 to 13 August 2017 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre Halls A, B & C, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956. Get your tickets here.
