PUBLISHED July 10th, 2017 06:00 am | UPDATED September 8th, 2017 06:02 pm
We complain about the government, post furious Facebook updates on public transport, and gripe endlessly about the weather; but when it comes to Singaporean food, you won’t hear a single negative word (only impassioned debate worthy of university lecture halls and incredibly detailed blog posts that could pass for research papers). Therefore it comes as no surprise that the Singapore Food Festival (SFF) is one of the most anticipated food festivals in Singapore, and here are 9 ways to experience our national passion this year.
Dining
STREAT
A staple events of SFF, this year’s edition sees Malcom Lee of the Michelin-starred Candlenut teaming up with Willin Low of Wild Rocket to create a special pop-up restaurant menu that showcases their skills in Mod-Sin cuisine – watch out for the seafood laksa and buah keluak carrot cake! STREAT will also feature nine other stalls curated by the duo, hosting local chefs and hawkers such as Good Chance Popiah, Whampoa Prawn Noodle, and even the Singapore culinary team Olympic gold medallists.
STREAT is happening on 14 and 15 July 2017, 5pm – 10.30pm, at Clifford Square, 80 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049326. Free entry, prices vary according to dishes, $50 nett per person for the restaurant pop-up menu.
Hawker Wine Safari
Discover a whole new world of wine pairing with Merchants Wine Store‘s culinary tour around the hawker centres of Singapore. Have Bib Gourmand dishes such as Tiong Bahru Market’s Hong Heng Fried Sotong Prawn Mee and Maxwell Food Centre’s Tian Tian Chicken Rice with specially selected wines from Australia and New Zealand. Curious to find out how wine can be paired with Amoy Food Centre’s sinful curry puff? This safari holds the answer to that question, and more.
The Hawker Wine Safari is happening from 14 – 30 July 2017, 6.30pm – 10.30pm at various locations. Priced at $88++ per person, visit their website here for more details.
Open Stoves
The spirit of collaboration is always celebrated at Open Stoves, where eight pairs of chefs will be working together to create new interpretations of local favourites. Expect delicious servings from chefs such as Teppei Yamashita from Teppei Daidokoro, Dylan Ong from The Masses, and Belinda Tay from NamNam GO!. For something a little more traditional, Timbre+’s resident food partner CHAR Express and two other wok masters will cook up wok hei tinged options at live stations every night. Kids and adults alike will find entertainment after the feast with a bouncy castle, retro arcade zone, and stage games such as Beer Chug and an Iron Stomach Eating Competition.
Open Stoves is happening on 28 and 29 July 2017, 12pm – 1am, and on 30 July 2017, 12pm – 12am at Timbre+, JTC Launchpad @ one- north, 73A Ayer Rajah Crescent, Singapore 139957. Free entry, prices vary according to dishes.
50 Cents Fest
Travel back in time with 50 Cents Fest, as the history-rich Smith Street comes alive with live Xinyao performances, roving character mascots, and games such as fishing fountain and hopscotch. Reminisce about the good old days where food used to cost a lot less with a serving (or servings) of traditional delights like Abacus Seeds, Ice Balls, and Hokkien Rickshaw Noodles. If you fully commit to the theme of the festival and arrive in full 80s gear, you’ll also stand to win attractive prizes, so start hunting down that outfit!
The 50 Cents Fest is happening on 29 July 2017, 12pm – 11pm, and 30 July 2017, 11am – 11pm, at Chinatown Food Street, Smith Street Singapore 050335. Free entry, 50 cents per serving.
WORKSHOPS
Kueh Pairing Workshop
Explore the intricacies of traditional kueh with this Kueh Pairing Workshop by Rainbow Lapis, which will be complementing local sweet treats with artisanal tea, bespoke cocktails, or specialty coffee. Explore the fundamentals of pairing principles in a 3-course tasting session, and try your hand at crafting kueh and their matching beverages with sessions held in collaboration with Tea Chapter, Bar Stories, and Blocs Inc. by Kaldi’s Berry.
The Kueh Pairing Workshops are happening on 15 July 2017, 2pm – 5pm at Tea Chapter, 9 & 11 Neil Road, Singapore 088808, 22 July 2017, 4.30pm – 6.30pm at Bar Stories, 55 – 57 Haji Lane, 2nd floor, Singapore 189248, and 23 July 2017, 10am – 12.30pm at Kaldi’s Berry. 231 Mountbatten Road, Urban Mangrove (Mountbatten Centre Block D) #02-01, Singapore 397999. Priced at $80 nett (tea and coffee pairing) and $98 nett (cocktail pairing), tickets can be purchased here.
Transforming Your Food Images Workshop
Amp up your Instagram feed with the stunning images you’ll capture in this food photography workshop, organised by The Foodist and Chef Petrina Loh from Morsels. Get industry-insider tips on styling and plating dishes for maximum photographic effect, as you try your hand at arranging two dishes of House-cured Barramundi and Hainanese Chicken Salad during the session. Say hello to making even homemade instant noodles look like restaurant fare!
Transforming Your Food Images Workshop is happening on Sunday, 23 July 2017, 3pm – 5pm at 25 Dempsey Road #01-04, Singapore 249670. Priced at $90 nett per person, find out more at their website here.
LEARN
Singapore Tea Festival
Move over, coffee – it’s time for the other caffeinated drink to shine. For the first time, tea is being celebrated in a festival of its own, brought together by the 1872 Clipper Tea Co. Enjoy unique tea blends from brands such as Amuse Projects and Juan Tea at the Tea Market, or feast on tea-related offerings from partners such as Birds of Paradise, Naked Finn, and Bird Bird at the ‘Teapitiam”. Talks and demonstrations will also be conducted in the Tea Room, while you can get a mini history lesson on Singapore tea at the Tea Museum.
The Singapore Tea Festival is happening on 22 and 23 July 2017, 10am – 10pm, at ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801. Free entry, prices vary according to dishes.
One Dish, One Chef, Generation of Stories
See your favourite hawkers and their stalls in a different light in this photo exhibition by Alvin Foo, which captures 15 famous long-time hawkers with their storefronts. The exhibition is open to all and presents the history and stories of each featured hawker alongside their large-scale portraits. Head down for a quiet, reflective break between the endless rounds of food.
One Dish, One Chef, Generation of Stories is happening from 14 July to 11 August 2017, 8.30am – 9.30pm, at Singapore Visitor Centre Level 2, 216 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238898. Free entry.
Food For Thought
Hear from industry experts and established chefs such as Arrif Ziaudeen, CEO of Chope, Malcolm Lee, head chef at Candlenut, and Dixon Chan, CEO of Burpple, in this edifying panel that seeks to answer questions about the state of Singapore’s food scene. Organised by General Assembly, topics discussed include “The Future of Food” and “Taste Talks: Neo Sin, Mod Sin, or Original Sin?” Learn about the latest F&B innovations and the influence of technology on dining in this sharing session amongst professionals in the industry, and leave with a greater understanding of local cuisine and Singapore’s place on the food map.
Food For Thought is happening on Sunday, 23 July 2017, 10am – 3pm at lyf@SMU, 71-77 Stamford Road, MPH Building Singapore 178895. Free entry.