What Went Down At Our Soirée

The National Gallery Singapore came alive last Saturday night as Tatler Singapore celebrated its 41st anniversary. The lavish soiree saw the Tatler community dressed up to the nines, and making their mark on the red carpet. And that was just the start of the glamorous event. As the night went on, guests were treated to a tantalising four-course meal as they caught up with friends and loved ones.  

Guests arriving at the National Gallery were greeted in quintessential Tatler fashion, with an impressive Moët & Chandon champagne tower and installation. Here, attendees took the opportunity to mingle and pose for photos against the beautiful backdrop—while sipping on some Brut Imperial champagne, naturally. 

Before entering the main event space, there was one particular photo op not to be missed: Chopard’s revolutionary 360-degree glamcam that captured our guests in all their finery. Our Tatler friends certainly knew how to bring on the glitz and glamour as they struck poses and hammed it up for the roving camera–resulting in some the most creative and memorable shots of the entire night. 

Just like the year before, this year's ball was held inside the Supreme Court Terrace. The National Gallery Singapore’s most expansive and impressive space was transformed overnight to feature lavishly decorated tables spread across the ballroom. Meanwhile, the neighbouring Glass Room was turned into a Hennessy private tasting room that overlooked the stately dome. Inside this intimate space, our guests got the chance to let their hair down and savour a dram or two of the finest Hennessy VSOP, X.O and Paradis cognacs.

Conrad Centennial Singapore’s executive chef Mandar Madav dreamed up an indulgent menu for our guests that night. His menu drew inspiration from cherished dishes and admired chefs, creating a four-course menu layered with ingredients, colours and textures. Some star dishes include cured carabinero prawns topped with sustainably farmed caviar, sea urchin and avocado timbale; creamy roasted kabocha veloute crowned with truffle; and succulent braised wagyu.

Between courses, Tatler Singapore honoured various individuals for making their mark in the community. This year, four awards were given out: the Style Award, Cultural Icon Award, Hero Award and Diamond Award. Asia’s Most Stylish 2023’s Willabelle Ong received the Style Award for championing the fashion and luxury industry. While the Cultural Icon Award was conferred to fashion designer Andrew Gn. ItsRainingRaincoats’s Dipa Swaminathan was the recipient of this year’s Hero Award, in recognition of her impactful contributions to Singapore and the Diamond Award went to Koh Seow Chuan in honour of his lifelong dedication to serving the community.

From glamorous photo ops to an awards ceremony that celebrated the achievements of remarkable individuals, the Tatler Ball was full of unforgettable moments that kept everyone entertained all night long.

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DINING

The best Teochew restaurants in Singapore, according to restaurateur David Yip

The best Teochew restaurants in Singapore, according to restaurateur David Yip.

Everyone in Singapore has their own fiercely-held opinions on the best restaurants here, but with David Yip's lengthy career in F&B as chef, restaurateur and journalist, we're inclined to trust his suggestions—especially when it comes to Chinese food. For Teochew cuisine in particular, Yip points towards its penchant for “freshness and quality of ingredients, especially in seafood”, as well as “deceptively simple methods” including “steaming, poaching, and braising”. The result delivers food that gives an “impression of delicateness”, with the inherent flavours of core ingredients kept intact and brought out. Where, then, do we find such cuisine?

Yip shares that when he is with his friends in Orchard Road, his go-to spot is Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine. “The pig skin terrine and hae chor (crispy prawn roll) have become de rigueur,” Yip adds. When it comes to private kitchens, he enjoys a trip to San Shu Gong Private Dining for its fried oyster omelette and fried chai poh kway teow.

Another favourite is Sin Chao Gardens by veteran chef Chia Hock Kim. Yip explains how dishes here are hearty and comforting. Fans of Teochew porridge will also revel in its wide repertoire of dishes including steamed squid and braised salted vegetables. The fried chye poh (preserved radish) kway teow is one of Yip’s favourites. “The chye poh was not overly salty, with the kai lan giving a nice crunch to kway teow packed with wok hei,” he says.

Mu Liang Zai Liang Kee Teochew Restaurant is a nostalgic one for Yip, having been his go-to spot for Teochew food in the 80s. He shares: “I rediscovered it, ensconced in a coffeeshop, at the beginning of this year and have since revisited it on occasion. The hae chor (crispy prawn roll) and fried oyster omelette still win my heart. I always say that when it comes to steamed seafood, you can never go wrong with a Teochew chef. This eatery has earned a well-deserved place in my book.”

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HOMES

Where to buy beautiful Christmas wreaths in Singapore for a festive home

Where to find the most beautiful Christmas wreaths. (Photo: Direct Wholesale Flower)

With Christmas just around the corner, there’s nothing like getting into the festive and joyous tradition of decorating the home with your loved ones. After donning ornaments on the Christmas tree, another home essential for the holidays is a timeless wreath—whether hung by the entrance, along the hallways or even as an accent piece in the living or dining room. If you’re planning to go the extra mile this Yuletide season, style your sanctuary with a natural wreath that will liven up your abode with its organic appearance and fresh aromas of fig and flora.

From classic noble fir wreaths to more uncommon options like an aromatic eucalyptus wreath, Direct Wholesale Flower provides a range of handcrafted, fresh Christmas wreaths for a festive home. While Fleuriste offers comforting, classic wreaths that are not just made of fresh pine firs and cones, but also adorned with cotton, baubles, fairy lights and elegant signage to celebrate the occasion.

For something particularly vibrant, head to Wonderland for its Golden Yule wreath, donning lively bird of paradise flowers that will infuse your wintry decor with a touch of warmth. If you’re looking for a unique piece that’s sure to impress your guests and loved ones, pick one from Beato—its preserved blue conifer wreath is a special highlight, flown into Singapore all the way from Japan to ensure a one-of-a-kind Christmas.

Prefer a coffee table wreath instead? Petite Fleur’s graceful coffee table wreath is the perfect centrepiece for your holiday dinners, adorned with fresh roses, potted succulents and a candle for special moments. While this wreath is particularly lovely in its pink colour palette, a green design is available too, so you can choose the Christmas wreath that best suits your interiors and personal taste.

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POWER & PURPOSE

Meet the four inspiring change-makers who received awards at the Tatler Ball 2023

Meet the four inspiring change-makers who received awards at the Tatler Ball 2023.

On top of dressing up in lavish gowns and digging into tantalising plates, our annual Tatler Ball celebrates those who have made and are making a significant impact in the community. This year, our ball honoured these individuals through four awards: Style Award, Cultural Icon Award, Hero Award and Diamond Award.

Standing out for her impeccable taste while dominating the fashion and luxury sector is Asia’s Most Stylish honoured, Willabelle Ong. Recipient of the Style Award 2023, Ong has enthralled her followers on social media with her ability to combine elegance and humour.

The Cultural Icon Award was presented next, honouring an individual who makes outstanding and enduring contributions to Singapore’s cultural scene while representing the island on a global stage. Who better to receive the award than fashion designer Andrew Gn? “You know what—fashion comes, fashion goes...but culture stays. Thank you so much for this wonderful award,” he said.

Dipa Swaminathan is this year’s Hero Award recipient. Gracing Tatler Singapore’s cover for the November issue, she is the founder of ItsRainingRaincoats, a volunteer and not-for-profit organisation mobilising thousands of Singaporeans to care for migrant workers. This year, she was honoured for making an outstanding and impactful contribution to Singapore through her tireless and impactful work to create a kinder and more equitable nation.

Last, but certainly not least, the Diamond Award was conferred to architect Koh Seow Chuan. The award celebrates his lifelong dedication to serving the community. A leader in his sector and in philanthropy, he is known as one of the most important architects in the history of Singapore. Koh established Design Partnership (later renamed to DP Architects), a full-service architecture firm that has engaged in large-scale architectural projects locally and regionally—one of them being the Esplanade.

Read full story here.

 

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