Let’s admit it; the one thing that unites Singaporeans, young and old, regardless of race, language or religion, has got to be our love for food. And there is no better place to showcase our country’s melting pot of mixed culture than with the annual Singapore Food Festival 2020 (SFF).
Taking place across the last two weekends of August—21 to 23 and 28 to 30 August—the 27th edition of Singapore Food Festival will be going virtual for the first time, bringing the feasting sessions right into our homes!
Themed ‘Rediscover the Foodie in You’, Singapore Food Festival 2020 has gathered more than 25 F&B partners to serve up an array of unique gastronomic experiences. From virtual food tours and live masterclasses to food bundles and limited-edition merchandise, witness Singapore’s dining scene come to life on all six days with a stunning line-up of events.
If you are scratching your head, unsure of what to expect, here’s a glimpse of 10 events happening during Singapore Food Festival 2020 that will help rediscover the foodie in you!
1. Virtual Food Tours
Join host, Chua En Lai, as he uncovers secret foodie trials around the culinary streets of Singapore through Singapore Food Festival’s very own Virtual Food Tours!
Created for foodies who love exploring and discovering new gems, the Virtual Food Tours will be bringing you through the historical precincts of Tanjong Pagar and Chinatown through the Traditional Taste Tour. Not forgetting the quaint yet uniquely charming neighbourhoods of Katong and Joo Chiat which has grown into a lifestyle district filled with multi-ethnic influences via the Katong Culture Tour.
Besides learning more about the heritage of the different precincts and the food secrets they keep, get a taste of the different food options featured during the tour with SFF’s exclusive food bundles. This interactive experience also allows you a chance to win exclusive prizes through interesting riddles throughout the tour.
Virtual viewing is free of charge and limited slots are also available for those of you who are ready to physically explore the areas. So do keep a lookout at SFF’s website for more details on the physical tours and food bundles!
Dates & Times: Traditional Taste Tour ( 21 – 23 August 2020 and 28 – 30 August 2020 at 9.30am, 11.30am and 1.30pm) | Katong Culture Tour (Please refer to link here)
Price: Virtual viewing is free of charge | Physical Tour: S$55 for Traditional Taste Tour, Katong Culture Tour (Please refer to link here)
2. Traditional Ayam Gulai and other Warong Nasi Pariaman favourites
Listed in our top 10 sedap Indonesian restaurants, Warong Nasi Pariaman is one of Singapore’s longest-surviving nasi padang stalls located in the area of Kampung Glam.
In this masterclass, second-generation owner of Warong Nasi Pariaman, Chef Jumrin Isrin, will provide insight into the preparation of Ayam Gulai, an aromatic chicken curry made using a fragrant blend of Southeast Asian Spices.
Get your ingredient box out and join Chef Jumrin Isrin in preparing this mouth-watering dish that has been tweaked to suit our local taste buds. Otherwise, the ready-made dish is also available for you to feast on without any work!
Dates & Times: 21 August 2020 (Friday) | 3pm
Price: Virtual viewing is free of charge | Masterclass ingredient box: S$30 (inclusive of delivery fee) (available for purchase till 20 August 2020)
3. Brewerkz X SG Snacks: A Virtual Tasting
Don’t let staying home and the 10.30pm alcohol restriction stop you from eating and drinking to your heart’s content.
Brewerkz will bring you a virtual beer pairing session with well-loved local snacks to help you discover your favourite beer-snack combination!
Sourced from innovative food artisans in Singapore, the range of snacks spans across our nation’s four main ethnic groups—a combination that you will never expect!
Beer lovers should not miss out on Brewerkz’s latest handcrafted beer, the Passion Gao Siew Dai (S$9.50 per can)—-a one-of-a-kind concoction curated specially for Singapore Food Festival 2020.
Paying tribute to all the hawkers, chefs, and drink artists that have contributed in making Singapore the culinary destination it is today, this fruity IPA bears a mixture of bitter, sweet and sour notes representing the complex food scene in Singapore.
Dates & Times: 21 August 2020 (Friday) | 5.30pm
Price: Virtual viewing is free of charge | Food bundle: From S$46.60 – S$114 | Delivery fee: S$15 (Island-wide delivery)
4. Of Durian and Blue Cheese: A Tasting Journey
We all recognise durians as the King of Fruits, but how much do we exactly know about this iconic fruit?
This masterclass collaboration between Chef Chung Deming of The Quarters and Durian Edition will bring durian lovers on a learning journey showcasing the process of harvesting this beloved fruit from farm to table.
Along the way, learn to differentiate the taste between mao shan wang, black pearl and D24 variants with two different tasting boxes (Premium box: S$38 & Exclusive box: S$48). Each tasting box includes four varieties of individually packed durians as well as a tasting portion of durian kaya!
Introducing this thorny treat to a first-timer? Then start with the Duriancanboleh (S$36 for six), a durian creme brulee made from mao shan wang that is sure to delight even non-durian eaters!
Dates & Times: 22 August 2020 (Saturday) | 2.30pm
Price: Virtual viewing is free of charge | Tasting box: S$38 (Premium box), S$48 (Exclusive box) (available for purchase till 13 September 2020) | Food bundle: From S$12 – S$98 | Delivery fee: S$15 (Island-wide delivery)
5. 2Fast, 2Delicious – Hokks & Clay
Truth to be told, traditional hawker delicacies are probably some of the most difficult dishes to recreate at home. But with the help of Slake’s Damn Easy Hokkien Mee and On-the-spot Claypot kits, preparing these dishes are as easy as ABC.
On 22 August 2020, join Slake’s Chef Ming Tang and Cibo’s Chef Margarita Fores from the Philippines as they demonstrate the use of these meal kits to whip up fuss-free yet delicious meals in under 15 minutes. With the ingredient box (S$65) and food bundles (from S$32 – S$88) available, cook alongside the chefs and thereafter enjoy the fruits of your labour in the comforts of home.
Both chefs will also be sharing some flavour secrets they use to pimp up their home dining experience. Don’t miss out on this one for awesome insider tips you won’t normally get from industry professionals!
Dates & Times: 22 August 2020 (Saturday) | 7pm
Price: Virtual viewing is free of charge | Masterclass ingredient box: S$65 (available for purchase till 13 September 2020)| Food bundle: From S$32 – S$88 | Delivery fee: S$15 (Island-wide delivery)
6. Patin Fish, Native Edibles and the Cerena Bee
The name says it all—celebrate the evolution of Singapore’s clean farming environment together with Chef Lisa and Chef Chew Shian from Kausmo as they shine the spotlight on local produce.
This journey of discovery will teach you how to create a dish based on the local Patin fish, a species of catfish that is naturally fatty with a nice delicate texture.
Topping off the Patin fish is a chimichurri sauce made using native edibles such as the ulam raja and wild pepper leaves—herbs that grow effortlessly in our tropical climate. And for that dimension of spice and acidity, the Cerena Honey-fermented Chili & Citrus is also added, elevating the dish to a whole new level.
Get your hands dirty as you explore and cook with all the pre-packed ingredients in the masterclass ingredient kit (S$35). If that alone is not enough, Kausmo also has a 2-course Lunch for 2 (S$150) and a Kausmo X Indigo Blue Kitchen Dinner Bundle for 2 (S$117.70) which you can delight in!
Dates & Times: 23 August 2020 (Sunday) | 5.30pm
Price: Virtual viewing is free of charge | Masterclass ingredient box: S$35 (available for purchase till 22 August 2020, 3pm) | Food bundle: From S$45 – S$150 | Delivery fee: S$10 (Island-wide delivery)
7. In Support of Local Farming
When will we ever have a chance to go on a learning tour with Chef Julien Royer? Take this opportunity to peek into the brains of 3-Michelin-starred Odette’s chef-owner as he brings you on a local farm tour.
Through this educational trip, gain a deeper understanding on the process of local vegetable farming and how farms in Singapore increase their growing capabilities within our small island.
Witness the culinary wizard bring life to locally farmed and foraged greens as he put together one of his most popular salads, PROMENADE A SINGAPOUR—a dish created specially to showcase farmed-in-Singapore greens!
An opportunity not to be missed, keep your eyes peeled on SFF’s website for more information on the physical masterclass since the ingredient box is only available for on-location participants. You can also enjoy a serving of PROMENADE A SINGAPOUR by getting it delivered to your doorstep at S$68.
Dates & Times: 28 August 2020 (Friday) | 3pm
Price: Virtual viewing is free of charge | On-location masterclass: TBC (Register for on-location masterclass here)| Food bundle: S$68 (PROMENADE A SINGAPOUR)
8. Thank You for Smoking Ribs + The Do-Not-Miss Doughnut Masterclass
How about some decadent char siew barbecue ribs to kickstart your weekend?
Michelin-starred Chef Dave Pynt from Burnt Ends has collaborated with Meatsmith’s Head Chef Eddie Goh to deliver a one-of-a-kind barbecue experience. Learn the art of smoking ribs to achieve that desired fall-off-the-bone tender texture exactly like it’s served in the restaurants!
Thereafter, Chef Dave Pynt will take you on a sweet ride by ending your gastronomic journey with Burnt End’s highly sought-after doughnuts.
If you think it’s just the regular sugar-coated fried dough, you are wrong my friend. Developed by Chef Dave Pynut and Chef Teresa Tan just for Singapore Food Festival 2020, this Milo Dinosaur Doughnut (S$24 for a box of six) will blow your mind away with its intricate play on textures using a flavour we all love!
Virtual classes aside, on-location masterclasses are available for both events. If you want to watch Chef Dave Pynt and Chef Eddie Goh work their magic live, do check SFF’s website for more details.
Dates & Times: 29 August 2020 (Saturday) | 11am (Thank You for Smoking Ribs) & 2pm (The Do-Not-Miss Doughnut Masterclass
Price: Virtual viewing is free of charge | On-location masterclass: TBC (Register for on-location masterclass here) | Masterclass ingredient box: S$88 (available for purchase till 24 August 2020) | Food bundle: S$24 for a box of six (Milo Dinosaur Doughnut)
9. The Wonderful World of Kuehs
Well-loved by both the young and old in Singapore, kuehs are irresistible treats that can be consumed any time of the day.
Immerse in the colourful and whimsical world of these traditional bites as Chef Jeremy Nguee of Mrs Kueh and Chef Claire Ariela Shen of Cooking Art take you on a trip down memory lane with an introduction on different varieties of kuehs.
Snack on two different food bundles, A Box of My Favourite Things (S$30) and Yesterday Once More Kueh Platter (S$32) through your virtual lesson as you learn the art of natural colouring. This skill can not only be used to beautify your kuehs, but also your bread and homemade noodles bringing the colours of the rainbow into your kitchen.
In addition, there will also be a demonstration of how to make ‘burst in your mouth’ ondeh-ondeh that will surely be a hit amongst family and friends!
Dates & Times: 30 August 2020 (Sunday) | 2pm
Price: Virtual viewing is free of charge | Food bundle: S$30 (A Box of My Favourite Things), S$32 (Yesterday Once More Kueh Platter) | Delivery fee: S$15 (Island-wide delivery)
10. SFF Merchandises
Completing the festival is a range of merchandise just for Singapore Food Festival 2020.
Keep a lookout for eight uniquely designed apparels by local artist, Mandy Kew, as she will be collaborating with Uniqlo to release local food-themed designs (S$24.90 per T-shirt (kids), S$29.90 per T-shirt (adults)) as part of the new UTme! Collection.
To spice things up, customisable t-shirt printing services will be available at Uniqlo’s Orchard Central global flagship store for you to paint as well as insert stickers and texts to create a one-of-a-kind t-shirt that is truly yours!
Not forgetting the limited edition Wee Nam Kee Hainanese chicken rice-flavoured Pretz (S$1.60) and Cedele’s brand new Prawn Otah Cookie (S$9.80 for a box of 10). Featuring a rich blend of local spices, the Prawn Otah Cookie is a savoury snack combining traditional nonya flavours, packed with a medley of spices that will surely tickle your tastebuds.
Dates & Times: Uniqlo t-shirts available from 14 August 2020 at Uniqlo Orchard Central Global Flagship Store | Hainanese chicken rice-flavoured Pretz available now at all Fairprice supermarkets, Cheers, Prime supermarkets, Don Don Donki outlets, Foodpanda and Redmart | Prawn Otah Cookies available from 21 August 2020 at 12 selected Cedele outlets including Great World City, Marina Bay Sands, Wheelock Place, Greenwich V, HillV2, Waterway Point, Parkway Parade, Raffles City, City Square Mall, Frankel Avenue, Jelita, and Novena Square.
Price: From S$24.90 (Uniqlo T-shirt), S$1.60 (Hainanese chicken rice-flavoured Pretz), S$9.80 for a box of 10 (Prawn Otah Cookies)
There you have it, six days packed with fun-filled and interesting events that are specially created to satisfy the foodie in you!
As icing on the cake especially for Sethlui.com readers, Singapore Food Festival will also be giving a KitchenAid Tilt-Head Stand Mixer (retail price: S$2,598) to one of YOU!
All you need to do is ‘Name two chefs who will be conducting masterclasses during Singapore Food Festival 2020’, enter the giveaway via our Facebook and the stand mixer might be yours!
With such rare opportunities allowing you to dive deeper into our local F&B scene, wait no longer and start exploring right now!
*This post is brought to you in partnership with Singapore Food Festival 2020.
