Southeast Asia’s leading haute cuisine festival is back! The World Gourmet Summit returns for its 23rd edition from 1 April to 12 May, with a range of epicurean events and a spotlight on sustainability. Whether you’re a serious foodie or simply a fan of food, here are some things you’re bound to enjoy, including a Gastro Brunch, special menus and a farmer’s market.
Spotlight on sustainability
This year’s event isn’t just about wining and dining. It’s also about shining a light on important topics like food-waste management, minimising consumption of plastics and adopting sustainable fishing practices. Echoing the theme, “Sustainability in the Gastronomy World”, the Summit will feature an inaugural WGS Sustainability Forum, bringing together a panel of notable speakers and experts from the culinary world to discuss topics on ethical and responsible sourcing, and the role each industry stakeholder plays in implementing eco-friendly practices industry-wide.
“We need to spread the important message of sustainability and explore innovative approaches to reinvent resilient culinary practices,” says Peter Knipp, Founder of WGS. “First and foremost, issues surrounding waste reduction, food preparation, and sourcing must be addressed to sustain and bolster our environment. Food shouldn’t impede sustainability, but should contribute towards sustainable development by placing sustainable culinary ethics at the forefront.”
Farmer’s market fun
Taking place on Tuesday, 23 April (6-10pm) at CHIJMES Lawn (30 Victoria Street), the third edition of UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) Gastro-Market Place offers a platform for farmers and growers to showcase their ingredients and harvests, and to educate diners on different facets of the food industry. Expect to sample some delicious food from local farmers while enjoying a refreshing tipple or two. Priced at $10, it’s open to the public, with part of the proceeds going to the Singapore Children’s Society.
Celebratory menus
From 1 to 14 April, diners can look forward to indulging in specially curated WGS Celebratory Menus created in partnership with Singapore’s most progressive restaurants, using fresh and sustainably-sourced ingredients. Chosen for “pushing boundaries of eco-friendliness”, the 34 participating restaurants include Bakalaki Greek Tavern, Frieda, Origin Grill at Shangri-La Hotel, Fat Cow, Ding Dong, El Mero Mero, Arbora Restaurant and Morsels, to name a few.
Another highlight is the always-popular WGS Gastro Brunch at Tamarind Hill, which takes place this year on 28 April (11am to 3pm); diners can enjoy an epicurean escape from the city in the lush surrounds of Labrador Nature Reserve.
Make memories with masterchefs
WGS 2019 will also see some of the city’s most notable and award-winning establishments play host to special collaboration dinners with international chefs as part of the Masterchef Dining Delights series. From 24 to 27 April, culinary stars from across Asia, Europe and the Americas will present epicurean creations in collaboration with a dozen local chefs and restaurants including Andaz Singapore, Dolce Vita at Mandarin Oriental Singapore and Mezza9 at Grand Hyatt Singapore.
Big names joining WGS 2019 include Romanian chef and TV personality Adi Hadean (a former judge on the Romanian edition of MasterChef), Soma Oroszki, head chef of Enjoy by La Parilla in Budapest, Martin Rebaudino, executive chef of Roux in Argentina, Jaroslaw Uscinski, chef and owner of Moonsfera Restaurant in Poland, and Singapore’s own Zander Ng.
For a full list of partner restaurants and menus, and for reservations, visit worldgourmetsummit.com.
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