When the British decided to transform Singapore into a trading post for the East India Company in 1819, they couldn’t have foreseen that they were also turning the tiny island into a hotbed of culinary miracles. With immigrants from China, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Europe, America and the Middle East flocking to the island, it wasn’t just the trade that was benefiting, the Singaporean cuisine also gained in heaps. Today, the country takes great pride in its diverse and rich food culture that finds brilliant representation at hawker stalls, open-air food courts as much as it does at the country’s very best hotels helmed in their kitchens by renowned international chefs.
Initiated in 1994, the Singapore Food Festival is not only an attempt to celebrate the country’s food history; it is also an outlet to showcase the prominent position food takes in an average Singaporean’s life. Attending the festival is the one of the best ways to figure out how food is the glue that ties the country together as well as with the rest of the world that comes knocking at its door to get a taste from its abundant cuisine.
Here are top events planned for Singapore Food Festival 2018, being held from 13th July 2018 to 29th July 2018:
STREAT
The marquee event of the festival, STREAT will feature celebrity chefs Emmanuel Stroobant from one Michelin-starred Saint Pierre, and Haikal Johari from one Michelin-starred Alma. Together the two celebrity chefs will be rolling out dishes such as beef short rib with black pepper, ginger and buah keluak and Canadian scallops with coconut, turmeric and laksa leaf oil for guests at Empress Lawn on 13 July and 14 July. Additionally, popular establishments including Old Bibik Peranakan Kitchen (halal), Gayatri Restaurant, Sinar Pagi Nasi Padang (halal), Fishball Story, CreatureS, Quarters and Xiao Ya Tou will also set up stalls at the event.
Sentosa Grillfest
The Sentosa Grillfest will return this year as well and will feature more than 30 F&B kiosks run by innovative and young hawkers. Delectable dishes from varying cultures, including BBQ items, Jumbo Hokkien Noodles, Traditional Naan Platter, old school calamasi with sour plum, will be served at the beach in the backdrop of live-music performances and other family-friendly activities. OLA Beach Club, FOC Sentosa, Wave House Sentosa, AJ Hackett Sentosa, Brewerkz & Fries and Fat Belly are some of the participating booths this year. The event is scheduled to be held every Friday-Sunday from 13th July-29th July.
Curry Day 2018
An Indian influence on the country’s cuisine means that curries are huge in Singapore. The Curry Day 2018 by Old Chang Kee to be held at Velocity@Novena Square Indoor Atrium on 27 to 28 July 2018 will see curry lovers flocking to taste delectable, spicy and comforting curries from the curry-themed menu. Curry puffs, curry buns and curry chicken will be in demand and visitors can choose from amongst a range of fun, family activities such as curry cooking demonstrations for adults and spice art lessons for children.
LoveSG at Changi Airport
The passengers arriving, departing or halting at Changi Airport can benefit from a range of activities and special promotions as part of the Singapore Food Festival 2018. Popular food stores, including Krispy Kreme, Paradise Dynasty, The World is Flat, TWG Tea boutique, Asia Favourites, Black Barista Coffee World, will come up with special menus around the time of the festival in addition to offering heavy discounts all through the festival.
The 50 Cents Fest: Colonial Singapore
Chinatown Food Street will come alive with hawker stalls offering sumptuous colonial era dishes that are hard to find in today’s time at budget prices. Kerabu beehoon (tossed rice vercimelli), fish moilee (lightly spiced fish curry) and kopi gu you (black coffee with butter) are some of the popular dishes from 1930s that you should keep a definite eye for. There will also be a performance by Taxi Girl and a traditional opera for the amusement of guests.
McDonald’s Love Local Campaign, Park Bench Deli Collaborations, A Samsui Love Story: A Food & Dance Affair and Balik Kampong Heritage Dinner x Time Out are amongst other events that are creating a buzz.