Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 @ Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre Hall 401 & 402

Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 will be back for the third year on 22 November 2014 at Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre Hall 401 and 402 from 11am to 5pm. More than 20 hawkers will be gathered at Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre to raise money for the beneficiaries under the care of Touch Community Services.

In the past 2 years, the ultimate factor brought together our hawker heroes to produce version of their hawker dishes using some of the most premium and exceptional ingredients to bolster their dishes. This year together with Maureen (www.misstamchiak.com) and Ian (www.thesilverchef.blogspot.sg), we have handpicked and curated the hawkers for this year's fund raising events for the needy and disadvantaged.

The "Ultimate" element will also be not restricted to using premium or exceptional ingredients. This year the ultimate aspect will include the essence and authenticity of our classic hawker/street food. With the new concept, we present to you three Ultimate Food Zones.

1. “Ultimate Original Recipe” - celebrates the heritage of pioneer generation hawkers through stalls helmed by chefs from the second, third and fourth generations of famous hawkers.

 2.“Ultimate Pursuit of Happiness” - celebrates the enterprising spirit of budding chefs and hawkers by featuring individuals who left their jobs in other sectors to pursue their passion in the hawker industry.

 3. “Ultimate Ingredients” - features hawkers who have added special ingredients to conventional hawker fares to create dishes that are truly a league of its own!

Details of the hawkers and menus can be found at http://www.ultimatehawkerfest.sg/menu

The three of us have been going around inviting our hawker heroes to take in this year fund raising event. This is not one easy task as we have talked to almost 100 hawkers but the most common rejection is no manpower. It is understandable and they also need to make a living from their little stall. Nevertheless, we are proud and delighted to have over 20 hawker heroes sacrificing their time to do a part for charity. On 22 November 2014 from 11am to 5pm, Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre Hall 401 & 402 will be transformed into the Ultimate Hawker Centre where one can savour all these delicious local hawker food while at the same time helping the needy and disadvantaged.

To find out more about the hawkers and dishes in this year Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 which has been picked and curated by us as well as the details of coupon purchase and donation online , you can visit http://www.ultimatehawkerfest.sg/

Guest of Honor, Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Defence will be gracing the event too on 22 November 2014.

As per the previous years, tickets will be pre sold as coupons which can be used to purchase the food items at the event. All the proceeds will be going towards charity, so that alone is a good enough reason for everyone to come down on that day to partake in the activities.

So do mark the date 22 November 2014, 11am to 5pm at Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre Hall 401 and 402 and come down to support the hawker heroes and us. Let us all play a part for the needy and disadvantaged. Hope to see you there on 22 November 2014.


Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014
Date: 22 November 2014
Venue: Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre Hall 401 and 402
Time: 11am to 5pm
Website: http://www.ultimatehawkerfest.sg/

Babette @ Parc Sovereign Hotel

Darren Wee, Radio DJ with Mediacorp's 987FM opens his second F&B concept at the 4 star Parc Sovereign Hotel. Browsing through the menu, one can easily see that the items are inspired by both French and Japanese influences. Babette is a restro-bar serving delectable food with a good selection of beers, wines and cocktails.

Grilled Octopus Salad 4/5

Dinner started with the Grilled Octopus Salad ($17). The Mediterranean octopus was braised in a Japanese sauce and served with fresh garden greens. I enjoyed that charred smokiness of the octopus that had a chewy bite in a good way. It is a good dish but I had a better one at MooseHead Kitchen.

Charred Cauliflower 3.5/5

The Charred Cauliflower ($8) served with yuzu veloute was really quite interesting. The used of the fried ginger pairing with the cauliflower gave it a familar homecooked touch that something my mum will cook at home.

Roasted Avocado 3.8/5

Something different for a change is the Roasted Avocado ($12) with aburi salmon and diced tomatoes. I like the concept, execution and the different play of taste and texture. However I thought the aburi salmon was hardly noticeable.

Steak and Foie Gras Donburi 4.2/5

A highlight at Babette is their donburi. The Steak and Foie Gras Donburi ($28) comes with marbled cut sirloin steak paired with creamy foie gras and drizzled with the homemade Babette sauce. I doubt I have seen this served elsewhere and its really value for money. The steak was really tender and flavourful. However I thought adding a onsen egg to the bowl would be even more perfect.

Duck Confit Donburi 4/5

The other donburi dish on the menu is the Duck Confit Donburi ($28) that comes with a crispy duck leg confit pan seared and served with homemade pickles and drizzled with their special sauce. The duck leg confit was fork tender and I like the pickles that help to cut through the greasiness.

Confit Salmon and Soba 3.5/5

If you don't feel like having rice, there is the Confit Salmon and Soba ($17) served on a bed of soba noodles with tamago. I enjoyed the slurping good soba noodles but I thought the salmon looked kind of pathetic.

Matcha Lava Cake 4.2/5

The finale at Babette has to be the Matcha Lava Cake ($12) to wrap the dinner on sweet note. This is the most instagram photo at Babette. The green tea infused white chocolate fondant is served with vanilla ice cream drizzled with premium azuki red bean. I am not a dessert person but I definitely gone back for more of it. While some felt that it is lacking the matcha flavour, it did not bother me as I enjoyed it.


Babette
Parc Sovereign Hotel
165 Tyrwhitt Road
#01-03
Singapore 207569
Tel: +65 63417727
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BabetteSG
Website: http://www.babette.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Lavender (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 11pm

Directions:
1) Alight at Lavender MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to V Hotel Lavender. Walk down to the end of Horne Road. Turn right onto Tyrwitt Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]