Foodie Events To Attend At First-Ever World's 50 Best Restaurants Awards Held In S’pore

The who’s who of the culinary world will be flying to town this weekend. While the industry-only ceremony isn’t open to the public, there are some spin-off 50 Best-themed events that you’re welcome to attend. We’ve highlighted the more interesting ones below.

Price: $100 or $200 (the latter price includes cocktails and snacks)
When: 23 June, 6.30pm to 8pm
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Meet culinary stars like Massimo Bottura whose restaurant Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, was ranked #1 on last year’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, and New York-based French chef Eric Ripert (below pic) of the popular Le Bernadin restaurant.

Ripert is also a TV personality — you might have seen him in shows such as Chefs Table and Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown (he was Tony's close pal). Also giving talks are Tetsuya Wakuda of Waku Ghin, Ana Roš (World's Best Female Chef 2017, Hiša Franko) and Daniela Soto-Innes (World's Best Female Chef 2019, Cosme). They’ll share stories about their careers, the evolution of kitchen culture and also chat about responsible leadership and how they can “be a force for good, promoting happiness, balance, respect and mindfulness within their teams, within their restaurants and to diners”. Rather timely, given the controversial buzz surrounding the unhealthy culture and backlash from the #metoo movement in certain restaurants. Expect plenty of debate and audience interaction via a Q&A session.

Get your tickets here.

Price: $150

Glean a few pro tips from selected award-winning chefs as they conduct cooking demos. Of course, you get to enjoy tasting portions of their creations, plus there’s a drinks reception post-class where you can pounce on the chefs with your nerdy foodie questions (don’t say we told you to). See our Masterclass picks below.

When: 23 June, Sunday, 2.15pm to 3.45pm

Modern Indian restaurant Gaggan in Bangkok snagged the #1 spot in the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants List a record four times. It was placed #5 in 2018’s international version of the awards — a pretty big deal since Asian restaurants don’t usually break into the top 10. Moreover, Gaggan is supposed to close permanently in June 2020. Might as well meet the man himself here as he busts out a couple of his recipes.

Photo: Gaggan Bkk, Facebook

When: 23 June, Sunday, noon to 1.30pm

The photogenic couple behind Latin America’s Best Restaurant (in 2014, 2015, 2016), Central. It was also ranked #6 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2018. Learn more about Peruvian cuisine through these sexy culinary powerhouses.

Get your tickets here.

There’re a number of chef collaboration meals, including those featuring huge names like Odette (by Julien Royer, pictured), which will host guest star chefs from overseas diners like Mirazur, Alleno Paris and Atelier Crenn — the four French restaurants collectively boast 11 Michelin stars, perhaps that’s why its eye-watering tickets costing $888 per person are sold out. But here’s a (decidedly more affordable) one worth trying.

When: 22 June Saturday, lunchtime

Price: $150 for a five-course meal (Straits Clan members); $220 (for non-members)

Co-head chef (together with her husband Virgilio Martínez, see above) Pía León of Central in Peru was also crowned Latin America’s Best Female Chef in 2018. Last year, she opened Kjolle restaurant, her first solo project that shines the spotlight on dishes using Peruvian produce. Get a taste of her cooking from her latest eatery at the Dining Room restaurant in “new age members club”, Straits Clan.

Reservations available via diningroom [at] straitsclan.com

Look out for our coverage of the World's 50 Best Restaurants Awards ceremony next week.