Prep those stomachs; SAVOUR is back! SAVOUR is set to return to Singapore for yet another almighty foodie festival, and if you’ve missed all five of its previous outings, let us fill you in on this one-of-a-kind concept you won’t find elsewhere in Asia. Comprising three culinary events throughout 2016 (the first of which, SAVOUR Gourmet, takes place between 12 and 15 May, with SAVOUR Wines and SAVOUR Christmas occurring later this year), it’s a must visit for gastronomes. Featuring a stellar lineup of chefs from swish local restaurants, this food festival will give you a chance to sample top-notch, exclusive dishes at wallet-friendly prices; we’re talking a mere $6 or $12 a pop. Bargain. Nosh your way ’round the offerings at all 10 participating restos, while sipping a delish cocktail and soaking up the live music vibes. We’re hungry just thinking about it!
But with so much going on, it’s best to be a teensy bit organised to ensure you make the most of this foodie heaven. Here’re some top tips to ensure you nail SAVOUR Gourmet.
Get there early
Beat the crowds and rock up early. Aside from skipping the queues, you’ll also have more time to fit in excessive amounts of excellent grub and nab the best seats in the house. You’ll also be able to clock the quickest way to the refreshment tents when you need a H2O break (or, let’s be honest, a vino).
Bag a SAVOUR experience pack
This year, entrance is free (huzzah!), but we’ll still be snapping up a SAVOUR experience pack. For $30, you’ll get a molecular xiao long bao by 3-Michelin Star Bo Innovation (worth $6), one main-course dish at any resto in the Gourmet Village (worth $12), and one Iberico char siew platter from Jasons Gourmet Market (worth $20), plus a SAVOUR goodie bag (worth $20). Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to us. There’re only a few available so snap one up, stat!
Keep up to date on Instagram and Facebook
With 30 restaurants to get round, even the greediest of us will find it a challenge to put away a plate from each one. Get real-time updates on FB and IG to find out where the best food is being served up to ensure you don’t miss out.
Check out the DBS Live your Dream Initiative
This year’s focus on home-grown culinary talent is evident thanks to the DBS foodie challenge. Watch on as sous and head chefs from some of our favourite local restos (including Labyrinth, Artichoke, Buona Terra, and Cato, to name but a few) battle it out with the help of a mentor, to take home the coveted crown of Singapore’s top emerging chef 2016. Be sure to taste what they’re cooking and vote for your fave!
Prepare for the weather
The new Marina Bay location is ace but alfresco, and who knows what the weather will feel like doing. Though we’d gladly stand in a queue come hell or high water for food this good, we’ll still be taking a poncho so we can be the smug dry person if it rains, or choping a seat near the air-con if it’s a scorcher.
Make a beeline for Jasons Gourmet Market
It wouldn’t be a gourmet foodie festival without the poshest supermarket on the island. We’ll be heading straight over to Jasons to taste over 20 types of oysters, gorge ourselves on Iberico ham, Miyazaki wagyu, and other divine fine cuts, before stuffing as many of the 200 cheeses available to sample into our mouths as possible. After all that indulging, we’ll only be fit for one thing: relaxing with a vin blanc at the Jasons wine terrace.
SAVOUR Gourmet, 12 – 15 May 2016, Bayfront Avenue (next to Marina Bay Sands Exhibition Centre), click here for SAVOUR experience ticket deets.
This article is sponsored by SAVOUR Gourmet