Innehållsförteckning för November 2024 från epicure

As we wrap up the year, let’s take a moment to reflect on our personal culinary journeys and travel experiences in 2024. Some of my fondest memories this year included marvelling at the sight of baby sea lions napping on the sun-dappled shores of Kangaroo Island, in South Australia. The Seal Bay Conservation Park is home to these endangered species – typically threatened by gillnets used by commercial fisheries to catch sharks. We learned that Kangaroo island’s resilient landscape has revived after the devastating bushfires of 2020. The destination is now welcoming visitors from near and far to sample its many gourmet and vinous offerings. The Southern Ocean Lodge, which was burned down in the bushfire, has also been beautifully rebuilt. It is the perfect retreat for gourmands seeking an…

Il Ristorante – Luca Fantin is the impossibly chic black-and-white haute cuisine crown of Bvlgari Resort Bali. The sister restaurant of the Tokyobased eponymous restaurant just celebrated its 15th anniversary in September. Led by Italian executive chef Luca Fantin, the Bali restaurant tells a compelling story of how the archipelago’s seasonal and local produce has the progressive potential to share plates with winter black truffle and wagyu beef. Head chef Alessandro Mazzali, sous chef Jatu Rizki Putra Anurantha, and their team are in charge of translating Fantin’s flawless take on contemporary Italian cuisine. On the wall of the chef’s office, images of every dish from the previous seasons are displayed. The ingredient-focused philosophy is visible on every plate. “80% of our current menu uses local produce. Every time we change…

“Psst - you’re not supposed to eat the leaf!” my dining companion whispers from across the “Psst table. I look down in horror at the fig leaf I’ve been nibbling, along with the piece of fruit leather on top of it. Our waiter looks thoroughly amused (“It’s is the first time it’s happened this season!” he chuckles) before reassuring me that I’ll live through the night. Perhaps the inadvertent ingestion of foliage is par for the course during lunch or dinner at Noma Kyoto — and in the spirit of autumn, too. In my defence, leaves play a leading role in Noma’s 10-week residency at Ace Hotel Kyoto — the second of its kind — which runs from 8 October to 18 December this year. About 5,000 pressed and hand-sewn…

Gather your friends for a joyous celebration at Pan Pacific Singapore’s Pacific Emporium – one of the best spots, we think, to indulge in a festive afternoon tea. Munch on beautifully plated savoury creations such as hickory smoked pulled pork slider, Scottish salmon pumpernickel, and duck rillettes roll. And round off with festive sweet treats, including Sicilian pistachio choux puffs with lemon gel, peppermint milk chocolate tart, and more. On weekdays, guests are invited to select a main course, such as stuffed lamb saddle with winter vegetables to complement the afternoon tea. On weekends, five live stations serve dishes à la minute. Think: festive salmon Wellington, traditional roasted turkey breast, Penang prawn noodle soup, Singapore laksa, and assorted crêpes. The festive afternoon tea is available now until 1 January 2025.…

In Singapore’s bustling food landscape, two women are steadily and resolutely shaping the way we entertain and dine at home. Wynona Leach, founder of Lush Platters, and Joey Quek, the new owner behind Swiss Butchery, are transforming how Singaporeans think about food presentation and quality. From Wynona’s visually striking grazing tables to Joey’s accessible yet premium meats, both women are committed to offering exceptional experiences for those who love to entertain at home. Passion behind the plate Wynona’s entrepreneurial journey started early, and her passion for food and design have always been intertwined. Lush Platters, founded in 2017, specialises in creating luxurious, beautifully arranged grazing tables and platters that are perfect for celebrations, parties, or corporate events. “I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit,” she recalls, explaining how her career trajectory…

The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo kicked off the Marriott International Luxury Group Dining Series in September this year, drawing gourmands to experience outstanding gastronomy woven with the best ingredients sourced from Japan. The two-month, multi-city event spanning locations from Bali to Bangkok, will culminate at JW Marriott Hotel Singapore from 29 November to 1 December. The sold-out sessions at the upscale hotel in Roppongi were made possible by the brigade of passionate chefs and bartenders who worked tirelessly to impress everyone with their creations. “Working on the Luxury Group Dining Series event gave us the opportunity to showcase the talents of our incredible chef team and introduce the amazing products from Japan that we make the effort every day to discover and bring back to our kitchens,” says The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo’s Executive…

In a world where sustainability and creativity collide, Singapore is a vibrant hub for innovative alcohols that celebrate both flavour and the environment. This exciting new wave of spirits isn’t just about quenching your thirst — it’s about crafting narratives that honour the past while looking towards a greener future. From inventive gins that evoke fond childhood memories to bold sakes that challenge traditional norms, explore new drinks that are making waves in Singapore’s spirits scene. Toward a sustainable future Imagine transforming yesterday’s waste into today’s liquid treasures. Singapore warmly welcomes a trio of innovative spirits from Discarded Spirits Co., part of William Grant & Sons, demonstrating that sustainability can be irresistibly delicious. Each of these spirits — Sweet Cascara Vermouth, Banana Peel Rum, and Grape Skin Vodka — has…

In June 2024, Sopexa evolved and changed its name to HOPSCOTCH Season. This fresh transformation marks a new era driven by a fitting ambition to extend their food & beverage expertise to the lifestyle and cultural experiences that enrich lives around the world. It is not just a name change. HOPSCOTCH Season is evolving while maintaining what has been integral to their DNA for over 60 years — creating impactful campaigns, promoting products across all continents, delivering messages that resonate, and evoking emotions that leave a lasting impression. The group has worked closely with companies, brands, local authorities and institutions in the food and beverage sector in the development and implementation of their international communication and influence strategies. More creative, more innovative, and more ambitious than ever, the group continues…

Netflix Korea’s fiercest culinary showdown, Culinary Class Wars, recently captivated audiences with its mix of inventive and gruelling challenges, topped with intense kitchen drama. The debut season saw 80 ‘Black Spoon’ chefs – up-andcoming chefs – go up against 20 ‘White Spoon’ chefs – established, award-winning chefs – for a chance to win the title of champion. Among the contestants were Joseph Linderwood and Jung Ji Sun, two ‘White Spoon’ chefs whose journeys in the competition took very different turns. Chef Joseph, known for his use of Korean ingredients to make creative dishes from a non-Korean perspective faced a tough battle in the second round, losing to a Black Spoon chef in a nail-biting cook-off. Meanwhile, Chef Jung made an impressive run, reaching the top eight with her approach to…

Special occasions call for an exceptional experience, and there’s no better venue to celebrate the festive season than at Wolfgang’s Steakhouse by Wolfgang Zwiener, nestled within the Intercontinental Singapore Robertson Quay. The month of December will be one to remember as the restaurant presents an exclusive Christmas set menu. Available for two ($428) and four guests ($828), the feast begins with your choice of the soup of the day or a richly indulgent lobster bisque, followed by an array of premium entrées which showcase the restaurant’s expertise with premium cuts such as the 100% USDA Prime Ribeye Steak and the USDA Prime Filet Mignon; as well as Grilled King Salmon and Colorado Lamb Chops. The meal is perfectly complemented by decadent sides like creamy mac n’ cheese, fried onion rings,…

Most people may not realise that Kangaroo Island is similar in size to Bali, and six times bigger than Singapore. Australia’s third largest island, located 13km off the mainland of South Australia, is blessed with rugged coastlines and pristine waters. A third of its area is protected nature reserves, home to diverse wildlife such as koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, sea lions, fur seals, and echidnas. You might even encounter some of these animals roaming freely in their habitat. The Black Summer bushfires of 2020 – the largest in Kangaroo Island’s recorded history – burned nearly half of the island and affected vast numbers of wildlife. Four years later, the landscape has returned to its natural glory. The iconic Southern Ocean Lodge (SOL), set on the picturesque cliffs of the southwest coast,…

Blessed with stretches of sandy white beaches along its 150km coastline, sparkling seas, and an abundance of year-round sunshine, the island of Phu Quoc justifiably deserves its moniker of ‘Pearl Island’. Set in the Gulf of Thailand towards the southernmost part of Vietnam, the country’s largest island was renowned for its natural beauty as early as the French colonial era, but has only recently embarked on the process of being developed into a premium tourist destination. The newest addition to Phu Quoc’s small but selective luxury hotel scene is La Festa Phu Quoc, Curio Collection by Hilton — an Amalfi Coast‑inspired resort replete with Italian charm and personality. Its official opening in February this year marked the arrival of the first Curio Collection by Hilton property in Vietnam, selected for…