More than 60 exhibitors confirmed at Singapore Coffee Festival from Aug 3 to 6

About 200 people enjoying the free screenings of local films 7 Letters and Eating Air in the carpark area of the F1 pit building during the Singapore Coffee Festival on June 11, 2016. PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - The caffeine-fuelled line-up at this year's Singapore Coffee Festival is strong.

More than 60 exhibitors, including coffee purveyors, equipment distributors and cafes, will be part of the second edition of the festival, which runs from Aug 3 to 6 at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre, near the Marina South Pier MRT Station.

The Singapore Coffee Festival is organised by The Straits Times and presented by DBS Bank.

First-time exhibitors include Really Really Fresh Cafe, which sells freshly roasted coffee beans, and 1degreec Cold Brew Coffee, which distributes cold brews such as blue pea tea blended from blue pea flowers.

The festival also returns with more robust food options. Dining additions include choux pastry shop Ollella in Petain Road; Butterknife Folk patisserie in River Valley Road; The Refinery restaurant-bar in King George's Avenue and Jubilee Coffee House & Bar in Netheravon Road.

No a fan of coffee? Sip on tea from home-grown tea company Gryphon and premium bubble tea joint Boba Brew.

The first day of the festival is set aside for trade and media (pre-registration required). To enhance the festival experience, the other three days - Aug 4 to 6 - will be divided into two sessions: Brunch (10am to 3.30pm) and Sundown (4.30 to 10pm).

The early-bird ticket period has been extended by a week to June 11.

Early-bird tickets are $17 per person. DBS and POSB cardholders and ST subscribers enjoy a further discount and pay $15 per person. From June 12, a standard ticket will cost $22 per person.

Those who purchase their tickets early can get a shot at joining an exclusive cafe-hopping trail on June 17.

The trail, which is from 10am to 6pm, covers four popular cafes that will be at the festival. Participants can go on a roasting tour at Chye Seng Huat Hardware in Tyrwhitt Road, cup and taste coffee at Jewel Coffee in GSH Plaza in Cecil Street, have espresso and chocolate at Cafe Vergnano 1882 in South Beach Avenue, and learn how to make a flat whites at Common Man Coffee Roasters in Martin Road. Snacks, drinks and transportation will be provided and participants can mingle with baristas and The Straits Times food reporters along the way.

To snag a slot on the trail, purchase an early bird ticket and post a top-down photo of cups of coffee on your Instagram account, with a story of a memorable coffee-drinking moment. Add the hashtags, #sgcoffeefest and #scf17cafehop. All entries should be submitted by noon on June 5. Ten winners will be selected.

The festival is also sponsored by companies such as Singtel, Nespresso and Princess Cruises.

Ms Diana Chen, vice-president of mobile marketing (consumer Singapore) for Singtel, says: "We are delighted to be a part of a festival that celebrates Singapore's vibrant coffee scene. We look forward to providing free Wi-Fi and lots of activities for families at the festival."

kengohsz@sph.com.sg

BOOK IT / SINGAPORE COFFEE FESTIVAL

WHERE: Marina Bay Cruise Centre, 61 Marina Coastal Drive

WHEN: Aug 3 (for trade and media only, register at www.sgcoffeefestival.com); Aug 4 to 6, 10am to 3.30pm, 4.30 to 10pm daily

ADMISSION: Early bird until June 11: $17, $15 (DBS and POSB cardholders, ST subscribers); $22, $18 (DBS and POSB cardholders, ST subscribers)

INFO: Go to www.sgcoffeefestival.com or e-mail sgcoffeefest@sph.com.sg

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