Gourmands and food aficionados rejoice as the annual World Gourmet Summit (WGS) in Singapore aims to refresh your senses in their 21st year run of Asia’s premier food & wine festival, with a new theme – United Nations Gastronomic Assembly (UNGA) that focuses on its mission of nurturing culinary talents all over the world. Expect your tastebuds to be tantalised in a string of culinary events from 20 March to 16 April right here in Singapore.
This time, the stars are a new generation of chefs who are making their mark from across 16 countries including Peru, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Canada just to name a few. One can expect chefs like Dharshan Munidasa (Sri Lanka), who recently hit the list with two restaurants in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants; the master of desserts Kiriko Nakamura (Japan) of the famous one-Michelin star Tirpse and four-time World Barbeque champion Grill-Ueli alias Ueli Bernold (Switzerland).
Spoonful’s top pick is of course the closer to heart celebrity Chef Thaninthorn Chantrawan (or Chef Noom as he is popularly known) from Thailand, famous for his successful stint on the Thai version of Iron Chef.
Also worthy of mention is the 17th Awards of Excellence held on 27 March 2017. This highly anticipated event is regarded as one of the most respected accolades in Singapore and around the region. The awards will honour 36 outstanding recipients and it’s nominees of the Food and Beverage (F&B) and Hospitality industries.
As WGS 2017 reaffirms Singapore as a dynamic international culinary hotspot, where gastronomes can expect nothing less than an exquisite line up Masterchefs, there will be a string of luxurious gourmet events by some of Singapore’s award-winning restaurants. These establishments will be hosting events like specially crafted dinners with WGS menus for Singapore dinners. Foodies alike can look forward to culinary tips and insights presented by the visiting Masterchefs through various classes and workshops.
More WGS Signature Events to look out for:
▪ UNcover a Gourmet Atlas with Chope “#UNGA United Nations Gastronomic Assembly” on 2 April 2017, is one of the must-go events of this year’s festival. A celebration of this year’s theme, it will showcase the best of food and beverage that represent the various cuisines featured at the World Gourmet Summit. With the ambassadors of the different embassies in attendance, this gourmet party truly lives up to the theme as we bring the world together with food.
▪ 4 Hands Epicurean Delights featuring Mitch Lienhard and Ryan Clift on 30 March 2017 sees Mitch Lienhard (global winner of San Pellegrino Young Chef 2016 from San Francisco, USA) joining Ryan Clift (recognized as one of the world’s greatest chefs of today) presenting an exquisite dinner at award-winning restaurant Tippling Club. For one night only, this collaboration is definitely not to be missed.
▪ Rougie Gourmet Delights featuring Jarno Eggen at Dolce Vita, Mandarin Oriental Singapore on 31 March 2017. The Dutch culinary maestro of two-Michelin-starred De Groene Lantaarn in Zuidwolde, The Netherlands brings his distinctive creative and technical flair to Singapore in an exceptional 5-course dinner, crafted and harmoniously paired with Champagne Ruinart.
▪ World Gourmet Summit 2017: National Kidney Foundation (NKF) “Better Lives” Charity Gala Dinner on 6 April 2017, featuring awarding winning chefs from Singapore National Culinary Team (IKA 2016 Culinary Olympics Overall Champions) and the Singapore Junior Chefs Club (Champions of inaugural Alen Thong Golden Coffee Pot Young Chefs Challenge in Abu Dhabi), Chef Kirk Westaway from JAAN (Awarded one-Michelin star by Singapore Michelin Guide 2016) and Robert Stirrup, Swissôtel The Stamford’s Director of Culinary Operations. Not only does this dinner serve to support NKF in their on-going mission to provide care for kidney patients and raise public awareness of kidney disease prevention, this charity gala also celebrates NKF’s 48th anniversary.
▪ The Royal Gourmet Staycation at Samardhi Villa & Tamarind Hill on 8 and 9 April 2017, for only 38 guests (two guests per room, 19 rooms only). A 2D1N royal experience where guests are pampered with delicious cuisine fit for royalty by Resident Chef Wanthana Nikosaen. Guests enjoy activities such as tea appreciation, wine and music afternoon with a Thai market soiree on the first day, and wrapping it up with a beautiful Sunday brunch on the second day. In the calm of this enclave, guests get to experience a total lifestyle enjoyment.
▪ Talad Market Dinner on 8 April 2017 showcases over 25 authentic Thai creations from across the country amidst an historic colonial bungalow. Toast the evening with free flowing glasses of ice cold beer.
▪ Sunday Brunch on 9 April 2017 is perched atop the Labrador Nature Reserve in a historical bungalow amid lush surroundings; Tamarind Hill is the perfect location to enjoy a relaxing Sunday brunch. The multitude of World Gourmet Summit 2017 partners will put forth their finest offerings in a brunch party like no other!
▪ Mucho Mexico Dinner featuring Daniel Ovadía at El Mero Mero on 30 March 2017, Daniel Ovadía is known for his innovative style and a rising culinary star icon in Mexico. He has been elected by the Mexican government to represent the country in its bicentennial celebrations in 2010 and received the national award for “Best Mexican Restaurant” in the young restaurant entrepreneur category. A young but talented chef to best showcase Mexico, too much is never enough.
▪ Canadian Flavours featuring Quentin Glabus on 28 March 2017. Chef Glabus represents Canadian embassies around the world, serving up the best of Canada. He designed and produced many signature dishes at representational functions. Thus, it is only fitting that he was the supervising head Canadian chef at the Canadian Olympic House in Rio de Janeiro during the Olympics last year. He will be whipping up new culinary creations using Canadian products for a truly Canadian gastronomic experience.
Visit www.worldgourmetsummit.com/ for a list of full event details & bookings & reservations.
