SINGAPORE - Discovery will be the theme of this year's World Gourmet Summit, an annual gastronomic festival now into its 22nd edition.

Gourmands can look forward to cuisine and flavours that span the globe, from central and eastern Europe, to east Asia.

The three-week gourmet extravaganza kicks off on April 2 and ends on April 29. It features about 50 events that include meals by guest chefs from more than 10 countries such as Ireland, Ukraine, Hungary and South Korea, as well as a range of culinary masterclasses and special menus at participating restaurants.

Celebrated French chef Raymond Blanc of the two-Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Oxfordshire in England, will be back once again to cook and conduct a masterclass at the summit this year. He was one of guest chefs at the first instalment of the festival when it began in 1997.

Other highlights this year include Polish goose at the Wooloomooloo Steakhouse at Swissotel The Stamford by chef-owner Artur Moroz of Bulaj restaurant in Sopot, Poland; and Hungarian fare at The Fullerton Bay Hotel's La Brasserie restaurant, which will be prepared by chef Peter Szabo of Budapest's La Parilla restaurant.

There will also be a free foodie forum, discussing the topic "Food: Just Nourishment, Or A History Of Men?", conducted by Irish celebrity chef and food archaeologist Kevin Thornton and food anthropologist Alessandra Gennaro. The discussions will centre on the authenticity and history of food.

The summit will also hold a charity gala at Swissotel The Stamford in support of the National Kidney Foundation.

The World Gourmet Summit is organised by A La Carte Productions, a division of food consultancy Peter Knipp Holdings and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board.

Go to www.worldgourmetsummit.com for more information.