Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Savouring Singapore


In cosmopolitan and multicultural Singapore, you can expect nothing less than a melange of flavours and experiences from around the globe. It’s not just East-meets-West, but is a collection of cultures, tastes and culinary exploits. The most popular way to enjoy the rich culture of flavours is at Singapore’s greatest culinary institution – the hawker centres!


A hawker centre is a collection of stalls selling food at very reasonable prices, in an open-air arrangement. Here hundreds of stalls prepare a staggering variety of food, all under stringent health inspection. Among the din of clanging trays, the shouted orders, the tropical heat, and wonderful smells of spices is a gastronomic and cultural experience that can be had only in Singapore. Visit Chinatown Complex Temporary Market & Food Centre, East Coast Lagoon Food Village, Geylang Serai Market, Golden Mile Food Centre, Lau Pa Sat Festival Market, Maxwell Food Centre, Newton Food Centre, Zion Riverside Food Centre and Glutton’s Bay for this no-frills experience that’s common in Singapore and unique in Asia. Malaysian, Indonesian, Indian and Chinese cuisines and re-blended into Pacific Rim fusions at its most glorious.


Surrounded by water, Singapore probably has the best waterfront dining in Asia. Alfresco dining at Boat Quay is a heady not to be missed experience. Once Singapore’s busiest port, Boat Quay has been transformed into a popular hangout with chic cafés, high-end restaurants, yuppie pubs and designer galleries. This picturesque, busy stretch offers great views of the Singapore River and part of the colonial district. Clarke Quay is Singapore's only riverside festival village combining dining, shopping and entertainment. On the 23,000 square-metre site are five blocks of building housing and shophouses, restored to their original 19th century style. This area has a spread of specialty restaurants, themed pubs and wine bars. Across the river lies a range of exciting dining experience at the Riverside Point.


Pick up a culinary tip or two at some of the culinary academies in Singapore. Whether it is local, Asian, Middle Eastern or European cuisine, there's something for everyone and is a sure way of spicing up your holiday. We recommend Shermay's Cooking School, where cookbook author, Shermay, teaches cooking in her own demonstration kitchen. Although the main focus of her school is to teach Nonya cuisine based on her grandmother's traditional recipes; French cuisine, home-style Chinese and desserts are also taught. Classes are designed to make cooking easy and fun for novice as well as advanced chefs.


At-sunrice is a culinary centre dedicated to promoting pan-Asian cuisine, culinary skills and craftware. It offers cooking demonstration and tasting classes to actual hands-on cooking classes. Pick from a variety of short courses such as "quick cooking for dinner parties" and "Asian cooking class". Besides being poised to make its culinary stand as a fine dining bistro, the Coriander Leaf strives to establish itself as a culinary school. Coriander Leaf emphasises home cooking. The half-day culinary courses in a studio setting highlight the best in South Asian, South-East Asian, Middle Eastern and fusion cooking.


More than a cooking school, the prestigious Raffles Culinary Academy also conducts lifestyle classes covering a range of topics such as wines and etiquette, how to plan a party, home dining, as well as lessons on oyster and foie gras appreciation. If you are looking for cooking classes in the comfort of a Singapore home, Cookery Magic is your choice, as it offers a wide variety of classes in Malay, Indian, Mediterranean, Vegetarian and baking amongst many others.


Take a food tour to unravel the rich heritage and food culture in Singapore! The Makansutra Food Safari Tour seeks to reveal and share the great colour and taste of Singapore’s food culture. Embark on a whirlwind whiz to taste, sample and eat some of the best dishes around here. Besides the popular local hawker fare, like chicken rice, laksa, bak kut teh or rojak, the Food Safari can also include a dining experience that incorporates the top and award winning local restaurants serving both Asian and modern international cuisine. A Food Host will be at hand to regale the colourful story of the local food and its culture.

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