What to expect at the 2022 Singapore Food Festival

The annual Singapore Food Festival (SFF) will return for its 29th edition from Aug 24 to Sep 11.

This year’s festival is themed Real Foodies Only.

This year, visitors can treat themselves to over 70 culinary adventures ranging from workshops to tours, including its first physical food village since the pandemic.

Ms Teyi Guo, the director of Retail & Dining at Singapore Tourism Board, explained that this year’s SFF will return in “very different circumstances.” 

She said: “Our borders have reopened and restrictions have eased, allowing us to bring back the festival’s highly anticipated physical programming.

“Festival-goers can once again immerse themselves in the richness and creativity of Singapore’s food culture and talents.” 

Here are four highlights to look forward to at this year’s rendition of the Singapore Food Festival.

The main highlight of this year will be the festival village, held at the Bayfront Event Space from Aug 31 to Sep 11. 

For an entry fee of $15 on weekdays and $20 on weekends, visitors will be able to get a taste of specially-curated dishes from over 25 culinary and beverage brands.

Some of the delicacies on offer include Jelebu Dry Laksa topped with Boston lobster and tiger prawns, the Featherblade’s beef rendang sliders and exclusive plant-based Golden Chilli Crab burgers by Blue Lotus Eating House and foodtruck The Goodburger.

The village’s Chef Arena will be serving a special nine-course dinner curated by chefs featured in the festival’s virtual masterclasses. Diners can also enjoy a Martell Noblige cocktail created by the head bartender of No Sleep Club, Juan Yi Jun.

Tickets for the dinner range from $128 to $178, inclusive of entry fees. They can be purchased from the Singapore Food Festival’s website.                                                

A series of nine free-to-view masterclasses will be available virtually during the festival, taught by some of Asia’s most acclaimed chefs.

This includes an overseas collaboration between Asia’s Best Pastry Chef 2022 winner Maria Yeo from two-Michelin star Cloudstreet and Chef Justin Lee of JL Dessert Bar in Seoul. 

The duo’s masterclass will revolve around their Tropical Konggaru Tart, which is crafted using soybeans and packed with tropical ingredients. 

Chef Tom of Bangkok joints LeDu and Nusara and Chef Li Guang of Singapore’s Labyrinth will also showcase a contemporary spin on local favourite Bak Kut Teh, which features pepper-crusted pork cheek. 

The full list of masterclasses from the different chefs can be found here.

Adventurous foodies can also participate in various tours and workshops held around the island.

Homegrown brand Brass Lion Distillery will take guests on a behind-the-scenes tour of their distillery, along with an introduction to the botanicals in their Singapore Dry Gin. 

There will be an immersive theatrical workshop by Oh!Stories, which teaches participants how to make comfort food of the 60s through captivating stories by grandpas and grandmas.

Participants will be able to learn the craft of mixing spices from Jeya Seelan, the third generation owner of spice stall Jeya Spices. They can also pick up tips on how to whip up delicious meals with cookbook author Annie Xavier and other home bakers.

Beyond the event space at Bayfront, restaurants islandwide will also serve up festival-exclusive dishes.

This includes a bagelwich packed with Chinese, Indian and Malay curries by Two Man Bagel House and ice cream from The Ice Cream & Cookie Co. and Creamier’s that comes in two flavours – Teh Halia and guava sorbet with sour plum powder. 

Veteran deli establishment Steeple Deli will also hold a one-day pop up in collaboration with new-school Park Bench Deli, offering sandwiches that incorporate the former’s corned beef and the latter’s pastrami.

More information of the festival line-up and ticket prices of the various events can be found on the Singapore Food Festival’s website.