World Street Food Congress and World Gourmet Summit celebrate street food culture and fine dining, with cooking classes by celebrity and Michelin starred chefs and more
In a food-loving Singapore, there’s never a shortage of exciting dinners, festivals and parties surrounding the culinary scene. But for foodies exploring Singapore’s gastronomical offerings in April, you’re in luck: two major food-centric events are set to take place – namely the World Street Food Congress (April 8 to 12), and the World Gourmet Summit (April 6 to May 3).
Now in its second year, the World Street Food Congress (WSFC) pays homage to the wonderful world of street food, focusing on Singapore as well as other iconic foodie nations. Even celebrity chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain has graced the WSFC!
Organised by Makansutra – one of Singapore’s leading food guides – the idea behind WSFC is to raise awareness about the importance of preserving street food cultures, especially in a place like Singapore, where modern eateries and younger, “office-inclined” generations are contributing to the gradual disappearance of the vibrant hawker scene. With the 2015 theme set as ‘Empower, Engage and Opportunities’,the five-day event will feature a smorgasbord of hawker stalls (and recipes), chef demonstrations, networking activities, and dialogue sessions led by key players in the F&B industry. The WSFC will be held in an open-area in Bugis (the grassland next to Tan Quee Lan Street).
The World Gourmet Summit (WGS) sits on the other end of the spectrum. This annual fine-dining celebration takes place across a number of Singapore’s upscale restaurants and focuses on the crème de la crème of the food world, from extravagant plates to highly prized wines.
Guest appearances by celebrity chefs and Michelin-starred talents are part of the WGS traditions, and past year culinary heavyweights include British restaurateur Marco Pierre White and German chef Thomas Bühner. Dinner collaborations between overseas and local chefs, cooking workshops and demonstrations, wine tasting sessions, table luncheons – expect all these and more during the prestigious event.
This article was published in the second edition of Honeycombers’ Singapore Insider (April-June) print guide. Want more? Pick up the printed edition for free at Singapore Visitor Centres island-wide, including Orchard (junction of Cairnhill Road and Orchard Road), orchardgateway, ION Orchard (Level 1 Concierge), and Chinatown Visitor Centre (2 Banda Street). Alternatively, download the full guide in PDF format, or visit Your Singapore.
