Singaporeans are major foodies, so it’s not surprising that they celebrate their diverse food culture by having a festival dedicated to it! We're talking about the annual Singapore Food Festival (SFF), which is going virtual this year. That means you'll be able to celebrate this culinary extravaganza from the comforts of your home - even in your pajamas.

In light of the COVID-19 situation, part of Singapore Food Festival 2020 will be streamed virtually, with free and premium segments to satisfy different types of craving. Explore the offerings of around 25 F&B merchants, ranging from live masterclasses, virtual food tours, chef collaborations, food bundles and even limited-edition food merchandise.

Photo: Tarte by Cheryl Koh/Singapore Food Festival

Highlights include masterclasses by homegrown brands such as Tarte by Cheryl Koh and Nutmeg & Clove, where their handy tips and tricks of making éclairs and the basics of cocktail mixing will elevate your next party preparation. Halal foodies are not left out as they can also take part in a masterclass conducted by the Warong Nasi Pariaman, a famous Nasi Padang restaurant known for their luscious Beef Rendang and creamy rich Ayam Bakar (grilled chicken with coconut sauce). These masterclasses are free to join, and you can buy their ingredient kits too. 

Shophouses on Keong Saik Road, Chinatown. This area was formerly a red-light district in the 1960s with brothels, gangsters, gambling and other illicit activities. It is now an area of posh boutique hotels and trendy bars and restaurants.

One of this year’s festival themes is 'Rediscover the Foodie In You' and what better way to do so than to follow local celebrity Chua Enlai virtually around the precincts of Chinatown, Tanjong Pagar, Joo Chiat and Katong? Discover the rich histories and long-kept secrets behind them, as well as the heartwarming stories behind popular eating places. Limited slots for physical tours are available as well. 

Odette's signature locally sourced salad, Promenade A Singapour. Photo: Odette

Another key festival theme is sustainability, which is upheld by farm-to-table masterclasses by three-Michelin-starred Odette and Kausmo. Take an in-depth look at how vegetables are farmed locally and then incorporated into Odette’s famous salad, PROMENADE À SINGAPOUR with Chef Julien Royer of Odette. For seafood lovers, Kausmo’s masterclass is definitely one to sign up for, as it features locally-sourced Patin Fish – a testament to Singapore’s clean farming environment. Other unique produce include Ulam Raja, Wild Pepper leaves and Cerana honey gathered from Singapore’s very own tropical Cerana bee.

Ingredient boxes for Odette’s on-location masterclass are only available for purchase to on-location participants but you will be able to get yourself a kit for Kausmo’s masterclass. Food bundles from both restaurants will also be made available.

Photo: Glico

Hungry for more exclusive merchandise? Treat yourself to a box of Glico x Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice Pretz (these are Halal certified!) or snag yourself Uniqlo’s UTme! range of T-shirts. These T-shirts pay tribute to Singapore’s much-loved hawker culture and have been specially designed by popular local illustrator, Mandy Kew. Choose from your favorite hawker dishes such as Nasi Lemak and Kueh Tutu and walk away from this festival with a beautiful piece of memorabilia to keep the best of Singapore’s food where it should be – close to your heart!

SFF 2020 (21 Aug - 30 Aug 2020) is part of a 45 million domestic tourism campaign over the next nine months.

• For more information, head on over to the Singapore Food Festival website.