The 18th edition of this annual culinary festival kicks off today. We’ve marked out three chefs you shouldn’t miss.
The 18th edition of this annual culinary festival brings with it over 11 days of gastronomic discovery. There’s a dizzying array of wine dinners, gastronomic jam sessions, and exquisite dinners to be had — orchestrated by top chefs flown in specially for the event. If the line-up of events is leaving you dazed, confused, but curious — find your bearings with our pick of the festival’s high-flying chefs.
Mathieu Viannay
Where he cooks: Two-Michelin starred La Mère Brazier in Lyon, France
What he’s famous for: With Paul Bocuse as his mentor, you won’t be seeing any foam, gel, or dehydrated soil on your plate. In 2004, he was awarded the title of Un des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (Best Craftsman of France), an honour befitting of a man who revived the then flailing La Mère Brazier, a veritable establishment in the Lyon dining scene founded by Eugenie Brazier in 1921. Today, gourmands still flock to the restaurant to try the restaurant’s famed dish of foie gras and globe artichokes, and a traditional Bresse chicken perfumed with truffles tucked under its skin. But you don’t have to go far to sample the latter — Viannay will present the dish during his oeuvre at Clifford.
Catch him at: Clifford, The Fullerton Bay Hotel, where he will be hosted by Chef Sandro Falbo (27-30 March); Citibank Gastronomic Jam Sessions Day 1 (27 March); Rhone Valley Wine Dinner with Nicolas Perrin (31 March).
Sanghoon Degeimbre
Where he cooks: Two-Michelin starred L’Air Du Temps in Eghezee, Belgium
What he’s famous for: When Degeimbre opened L’Air Du Temps in 1997, he didn’t expect to raise his first Michelin star for the restaurant in 2000. And he didn’t stop there. The second Michelin star descended in 2008. He draws inspiration from his Korean roots and transforms farm-fresh produce in its prime by way of modern culinary techniques.
Catch him at: The White Rabbit, where he will be hosted by Chef Benjamin Tan (27-30 March); Citibank Gastronomic Jam Sessions Day 2 (29 March).
Sergi Arola
Where he cooks: Two Michelin-starred Sergi Arola Gastro in Madrid, Spain
What he’s famous for: Having worked under culinary heavyweights such as Pierre Gagnaire and Ferran Adrià, Sergi Arola’s cuisine reflects not only his technical mastery of modern culinary techniques, but also the discipline required to deliver it and the creativity to bring his dishes to life. He also possesses a rare Midas touch of sorts, first turning La Broche, a small restaurant in Madrid, from a neighbourhood joint to a one-Michelin starred restaurant. He worked his magic again with Sergi Arola Gastro, which swiftly garnered two Michelin stars in its second year of operations.
Catch him at: SKIRT – W Singapore, where he will be hosted by Chef Matthew Woolford and Andrew Nocente (31 March-2 April); Spanish Wine Dinner with Telmo Rodriguez (3 April); World Gourmet Summit Charity Gala Dinner (4 April).
The World Gourmet Summit runs from 26 March to 5 April 2014. For more information, visit www.worldgourmetsummit.com