18 MARCH 2015 (SINGAPORE) – As the region’s most talked about premier food and wine event, the World Gourmet Summit (WGS) has always been an illustrious showcase of the world’s masterchefs and gastronomy at its finest; and the festival’s 19th edition is no exception. With an overarching “Gastronomy in Motion” theme, WGS 2015 will feature 50 events, including culinary masterclasses, workshops and exclusive dinners. Expect an outstanding presentation of world-class and Michelin-starred chefs, alongside Singapore’s own culinary names. Notable establishments will host the Epicurean Delight series from 14 – 25 April, featuring sumptuous treats created by visiting masterchefs. Gastronomes can also savour exclusive WGS menus at partner restaurants from 6 April to 3 May in addition to the core activities.
“Gastronomy in Motion is all about the ever-changing nature of food – how it is prepared and presented, and all the ground-breaking techniques used to design and create unique dishes. This year’s line-up of distinguished and world-renowned personalities clearly demonstrates this progress,” said Peter A. Knipp, CEO of PKH Pte Ltd, which manages and curates the World Gourmet Summit event.
He adds, “And in this year of SG50, it is appropriate to celebrate our own star chefs who, having established themselves internationally in their own right, return to Singapore to share their talents. The fact that the number of culinary talents in Singapore continues to grow is testimony to our efforts towards capability development, for which we also have the Singapore Tourism Board to thank for their valuable support over the past years.”
Visiting Personalities
Headlining this year’s stellar cast of international and celebrity masterchefs are the Roca brothers of the fabled three Michelin-starred El Celler de Can Roca in Spain; Christophe Muller, the L’Auberge Du Pont de Collognes of the Paul Bocuse Group and the only restaurant in the world to retain its three Michelin-star status for 50 years; two Michelin-starred Chef Tim Raue from Germany; two Michelin-starred Chef Giancarlo Perbellini from Italy; and two Michelin-starred Chef Bruno Oger from France. Singapore’s own UK-based Cherish Finden, Master Pastry Chef, and 2012 Pastry Chef of the Year (UK), is among the nation’s homegrown culinary stars to blaze a trail in this year’s WGS, together with the Singapore National Culinary Team, current World Champion 2014. Visiting chefs from the Southeast Asian region, Maurice Toh, Somkhuan Wandee and Sombat Kokasumkul will combine their years of culinary experience in modern and creative Chinese and Thai cuisine respectively to produce unique fanfare at Tamarind Hill from 21-24 April. (Refer to Annex A)
Exquisite Events
Expect a host of the finest, most exquisite events including hands-on culinary masterclasses with three Michelin-starred Chef Christophe Muller, “The Street Food Chef” Will Meyrick together with Palm Amatawet, esteemed Japanese masterchef Shinichiro Takagi and Sake Sommelier Hiroshi Ishida, who are representing the Ishikawa Prefecture; and World Chocolate Master Franck Haasnoot alongside esteemed pastry chefs from Academy of Pastry Arts Malaysia. From celebrating 300 years of fine cognac at The Martell Pure Gourmet Tasting Dinner featuring celebrity chef Susur Lee & Ken Ling; enjoying scrumptious Mediterranean-inspired modern European cuisine with the Scottish Seafood Dinner with Highland Park Whisky featuring Dallas Cuddy; to exquisite dinners of Japanese, Scottish, French, Spanish and Asian cuisines; the 19th edition of WGS will see 26 Partner Restaurants, 9 Hosting Establishments and selected Venue Hosts working towards yet another year of inspired gastronomy. (Refer to Annex B)
Highlights among the big ticket events include:
The Macallan Masters of Taste Dinner, A Unique Whisky Pairing Dinner Presented by El Celler de Can Roca & Bacchanalia on 21 April 2015. El Celler de Can Roca in Catalonia, Spain sits at the very top of the World’s Best 50 Restaurants and for this dinner, the famous Roca brothers collaborate with Bacchanalia’s Head Chef Ivan Brehm to deliver craft cuisine in a unique dining experience that showcases the craft, mastery and skill of the world’s ultimate luxury single malt, The Macallan, (including the most premium The Macallan M) and Spanish cuisine. Seats are limited and priced at $688.00+.
Kaluga Queen Caviar Dinner Presented By Indoguna featuring Sandro Falbo with Snow Leopard Vodka at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore’s Strait Room on 23 April 2015. Following last year’s phenomenal success, gastronomes will find an indulgent helping of 1.8kg of the Kaluga Queen Caviar on each table for this luxurious dinner, with each dish prepared by The Fullerton Hotel Singapore’s Executive Chef Sandro Falbo. The distinctive taste of caviar will be further accompanied by exquisite wines, champagne and Snow Leopard vodka, which is made from rare spelt grain from one of the world’s finest distilleries. Only 60 seats are available for this exclusive dinner, priced at $558.00+.
Honouring SG50 are two highly anticipated dinners:
A STARS celebration four hands dinner featuring Christophe Muller (representing Paul Bocuse) & Julien Royer with Martell 300 years to commemorate SG50
With only 50 seats available for this magnificent gourmet affair at JAAN on 24 April 2015, Singapore’s 50th birthday is celebrated through the culinary artistry of three Michelin-starred Chef Christophe Muller of the L’Auberge Du Pont de Collonges of Paul Bocuse Group – the only restaurant in the world to have retained its three Michelin-star status for 50 consecutive years. Masterchef Christophe Muller collaborates with Head Chef Julian Royer of JAAN, Swissôtel The Stamford to deliver an unforgettable evening. Adding to the celebration, world renowned Cognac house Martell marks an auspicious milestone of its tercentenary with an exclusive presentation of its prized premium cognac aged in 300 year old casks and bottled in a special decanter. Priced at $500.00+
The Past-Present-Future Charity Gala Dinner at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove on 16 April 2015. In support of the Community Chest and delivering an Asian-inspired feast,
this black tie affair sees the collaboration of two Michelin-starred Chef Tim Raue of Germany with the current 2014 world champion Singapore National Culinary Team; Singapore’s own Cherish Finden, Executive Pastry Chef at the historic The Langham London; and Chef Andrew Nocente, Chef de Cuisine of Skirt.
Rougie Foie Gras Dinner Presented by Classic Fine Foods at Forlino featuring Chris Salans at Forlino on 22 April 2015. Indulge in the finest foie gras delicacies, specially prepared by celebrated Chef Chris Salans from Indonesia, whose restaurant is recognised in the “Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2014”. The foie gras is brought to you by Rougie, the world's number one producer of foie gras and the first choice of Chefs. Enjoy the evening with the prestigious GlobalChef Awards by At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy, a new industry standard to inspire young chefs with a mission to pursue the global chef path akin to the Grammy Awards in the culinary world. With limited seating, this exclusive dinner is priced at $328+.
Information on WGS and all WGS 2015 events will be available to the public on http://www.worldgourmetsummit.com/ from 2 March 2015. All reservations can be made online via reservation partner Chope through the WGS website.
For more information on or to feature World Gourmet Summit 2015 or any of the related activities, please contact Alicia Ali on alicia@heatbranding.com or Karen Heng on karen@heatbranding.com.
About the World Gourmet Summit (www.worldgourmetsummit.com)
The World Gourmet Summit, first launched in 1997, is an international gastronomic festival organised by À La Carte Productions (a division of Peter Knipp Holdings Pte Ltd).
Now, into its 19th year, this annual epicurean festival continues to showcase the intricate craftsmanship of prestigious chefs; it is also an exposition of internationally acclaimed vintners. Encompassing a series of events like the special themed dinners, it is a gourmet feast specially crafted for discerning individuals who appreciate fine wines and gourmet cuisine.
Since 2000, the World Gourmet Summit has been raising funds through its annual Charity Dinners in support of the Community Chest, the fund-raising arm of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS). Over the past decade, World Gourmet Summit has raised over S$5 million for over 200 social service programmes, with the generosity of its distinguished guests through table sales, charity auctions as well as donations.
ORGANISERS
About A La Carte Productions
A La Carte Productions, a division of Peter Knipp Holdings Pte Ltd, is an independently owned events company, which provides events planning, conceptualisation, and execution services. In particular, the annual gastronomic experience, World Gourmet Summit, and the Awards Of Excellence, the leading and most comprehensive F&B platform in Asia, which
recognises and motivates talents to excel in the F&B industry and promotes the appreciation of dining in Singapore and the region.
About Peter Knipp Holdings Pte Ltd
Peter Knipp Holdings Pte Ltd (PKH) offers a multi-faceted range of services for the food, beverage (F&B) and hospitality industry. Founded by Peter A Knipp, the multi award-winning company has grown over the years to include four divisions, encompassing various aspects of the F&B and hospitality businesses: A La Carte Productions, an events management firm which provides events planning, conceptualisation, and execution services at the annual gastronomic extravaganza – World Gourmet Series which includes Awards Of Excellence (http://www.wgsawards.com), World Gourmet Summit (http://www.worldgourmetsummit.com), Gourmet Abu Dhabi (http://www.gourmetabudhabi.ae) and Food2Print which publishes Cuisine & Wine Asia magazine, newsletter at http://www.asiacuisine.com, weekly e-zines since 1996 and provides marketing communications consultancy services; Foodservice Consultants Singapore Pte Ltd, F&B consultancy and kitchen design (www.fscs.com.sg); and Bytes Asia, IT consultancy.
