THIS year's Singapore Food Festival has been cut short from one month to 10 days. But the Singapore Tourism Board, which co-organises the event, insists that the economic downturn was not a factor in the decision to 'streamline' the festival, now in its 16th year.

Mr Andrew Phua, STB's director of cluster development in tourism shopping and dining, says: 'We feel that an event that spans over two weekends which has depth, soul and good programming will still be able to deliver very good experiences.'

He explains that during month-long festivals in previous years, there was often a tendency for the excitement to 'fizzle out'.

The annual event will kick off next Friday at Clarke Quay. This year's theme is Peranakan culture.

Read the full report in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times, Life!.