SINGAPORE - The annual Singapore Food Festival (SFF) is set to return from July 13 to 29 for its 25th edition. It reprises last year's theme of "Savour Singapore In Every Bite".
The smorgasbord of events covers four categories: Modernity, Culture, Art and Tradition.
Under Modernity, highlights include SFF's signature event Streat, which sees chef Haikal Johari of Alma restaurant and chef Emmanuel Stroobant of Saint Pierre restaurant team up for a four-hands pop-up restaurant.
On creating the menu which includes scallops and beef short rib, chef Stroobant says: "It took us a bit of time to put the meal together, as we worked to build the flavours on each other's dish. For dessert, I do a classic chocolate cake, while chef Haikal beautifies the dish. We also have to be mindful of keeping a Singapore touch in the dishes."
Another collaboration is between sandwich specialist Park Bench Deli and roast meats specialist Roast Paradise to serve items such as roast char siew banh mi; as well as between Park Bench Deli and Indonesian restaurant Rumah Makan Minang for a beef rendang burger and nasi padang platter.
Events under the Culture category include Feast at Sentosa - Sentosa Grillfest, where a variety of international dishes and barbecue delights line 1km of the beach. There will also be a Gourmet Market where diners can pick raw ingredients to be cooked by the chefs.
Get a taste of regional Indian specialities at the Great Indian Food Affair, which includes cooking demonstrations and special menus at Punjab Grill at Marina Bay Sands, and Yantra at Tanglin Mall.
Ms Sashena Hassamal, marketing and business development associate for events company De Ideaz which conceptualised the event, says: "You cannot have a food festival without Indian cuisine. We can showcase the variety of Indian food available through the restaurants on different weekends. Yantra, for example, will have more than 35 dishes for its Big Fat Indian Wedding menu."
For those looking to pair food and arts, there is everything from beer yoga to a five-course modern Singaporean meal interwoven with contemporary dance - A Samsui Love Story: A Food & Dance Affair - by chef Nixon Low of the TungLok Group and choreographer Naomi Tan.
And if you want a taste of tradition, look out for the return of the favourite 50 Cents Fest: Colonial Singapore by Chinatown Food Street, where you can savour old-school dishes from fish moilee (spiced creamy fish curry) to aromatic kopi gu you (black coffee with butter).
There will also be surprise items launched for the SFF, such as a new curry puff by snack chain Old Chang Kee, as well as a new durian item from fast-food chain McDonald's.
Ms Ranita Sundramoorthy, director of retail and dining with the Singapore Tourism Board, says: "It has been an amazing 25-year journey for the SFF. This event is a celebration of our multi-cultural heritage as it is the only event in Singapore dedicated to showcasing local fare."
For more information and full list of events, go to www.singaporefoodfestival.com.
