Wednesday, November 26, 2014

St Regis Singapore Christmas 2014

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The festive season is just around the corner and it is time for all the feasting with families and friends. If you have not plan for your festive gathering, let me bring to you a glimpse of the offerings from Brasserie Les Saveurs and LaBrezza at St Regis Singapore. Be it the contemporary epicurean refinement of French cuisine or extraordinary handcrafted Italian delights, they are all thoughtfully curated for the joyous season.

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Seared Yellow Fin Tuna with Sesame Seeds and Citrus Salsa 3.5/5

We started with an amuse bouche from Brasserie Les Saveurs, the Seared Yellow Fin Tuna with Sesame Seeds and Citrus Salsa. An interesting play of flavours with the citrus salsa's sharpness lending a much lift to the tuna.

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Italian Antipasti Selection 3/5

Next up is a platter of Italian Antipasti Selection from LaBrezza. On the plate there were San Daniele Ham with Melon, Preserved Capsicums Insaata Russa, Veal Liver Pate, Smoked Salmon and Mascarpone. A delightful finger bites that are best accompanied with a glass of champagne.

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Trio of Appetisers 3.5/5

A more refine execution from Brasserie Les Saveurs is the Trio of Appetisers. Starting from left to right, we have the Avruga Pearl with Poached Hokkaido Scallops, King Prawn Tempura with Avocado Dip, Coriander and Sakura Ebi and Pan-seared Wagyu Beef Tenderloin with Parmesan Espuma. It was a decent delicate plate with many little components being put together but I struggled to find the wow factor.

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Homemade Cannelloni 4.5/5

The presentation of the Homemade Cannelloni from Labrezza itself is already mouthwatering. Stuffed with boston lobster, bottarga and porcini mushroom and served with a king crab sauce, this is luxurious in a plate with its richness and creaminess. This is definitely one of the more memorable dish of the night.

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Roasted Duck Breast and Duck Leg Confit 4.5/5

Flamed with Grand Marnier and served with winter truffle potato puree. this is East vs West from Brasserie Les Saveurs with the Roasted Duck Breast and Duck Leg Confit. The roasted duck breast not surprisingly won my palate over the classic french. I always prefer the Chinese technique of preparing the poultry as it allows not only the meat but the skin to shine.

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Honey Glazed Gammon Ham 4/5

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Honey Glazed Gammon Ham 4/5

What is Christmas without a Ham? Take away this gorgeous Honey Glazed Gammon Ham to delight your guests which was beautifully cured. The honey pineapple sauce with its sweetness and sharpness further accentuated the flavour to the fullest.

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Frozen Ice Nougat and Crispy Wafer 4.2/5

Christmas is even sweeter with this plate of dessert from Brasserie Les Saveurs that comes with  the Frozen Ice Nougat and Crispy Wafer with 70% Amedei Savarin. This is indeed a sweet ending to the evening with everyone cleaning off their plate as clean as white christmas.

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Homemade Stollen with Dried Tropical Fruit 4/5

How can we leave St Regis without trying their popular Homemade Stollen with Dried Tropical Fruit? I tried it last year and the flavour has since been lingering in my mind. I am glad that I get to try it again. This is indeed a great start to welcome the festive season.

For the whole list of festive dining menus at Brasserie Les Saveurs, LaBrezza and Yan Ting, please visit http://www.stregissingapore.com/christmas


St Regis Singapore
29 Tanglin Road
Singapore 247911
Tel: +65 65066860
Website: http://www.stregissingapore.com/christmas
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheelock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Continue onwards to Forum Shopping Mall. Walk further down to Orchard Parade Hotel. Turn left onto Tanglin Road. St Regis is just beside Tanglin Shopping Centre. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014

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My partner in crime Maureen aka MissTamChiak approached me to help her out in this year Ultimate Hawker Fest 2014 with less than three months to put everything together. I have organised Hawker Food Trails with her, a dinner makan session for 60 people but nothing at this big scale. It was a tall task and time was not in favour to us. We also rooted in Ian aka TheSilverChef who willingly sacrificed his time to assist us and more importantly for the needy and disadvantaged under the care of Touch Community Services. As time was against us, many times the three of us have to take leaves and burnt our weekends to ensure everything is ready by the big day on 22 November 2014. I remembered Maureen telling me this, "I see you more than my fiance".

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It was a challenge and journey that I do not regretted. I have learnt a lot from this hawkers and I am glad I am given the opportunity to do so. I sincerely like to thank each and every hawkers and chefs who sacrifice their time and some even a day's earning to raise fund for the beneficiaries under the care of Touch Community Services.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. You are all my heroes.

Lionel from Rong Cheng Bak Kut Teh and Pek Sin Choon
Kenry from Pek Sin Choon
Grace & Shirley from Chey Sua
Kelvin, SK and team from Tenderfresh
Ah Boon from Good Chance Popiah
Tony Tee and the ultimate croc team from Crocodile King
Douglas from Fishball Story
Jemmy & Jimmyfrom Food Glossary
Adrian & Wee from Old Bibik
Gerald & Julyn from Penang Kia
Shen Tan & Hiok Kitchen from Madam Tan Nasi Lemak
Guna from Springleaf Prata Place
Mdm Foo & Ms Loi from Tian Tian Chicken Rice
Chef Eric Neo from InterContinental
Chef Tan Yong Hua from Restaurant HOME
Chef Melvin & Rae from Ramada and Days Inn
Jome from City Satay Bee Hoon
Uncle Kun from Genshu
Kingsley from King's Roast
Jason and Benson from Onaka
Ewan from Jin Jin Dessert
Boon Leng fro Hock Kee Bird's Nest
The team from Mr Bean
Gavan from Lek Lim Cake Confectionery
Richard from Teochew Handmade Pau

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You may laugh at us if I told you that both Maureen and me have nightmares leading up to the actual day. We dreamt that no one turns up for the event. It was only on 22 November 2014 when the door of the Suntec Exhibition & Convention Hall 401-402 opened and we saw the crowd streaming in that the three of us felt relief. This could not have been possible with all the help from the media and blogger friends. Thank you so much for the publicity and shout out on the main stream media and various social platforms.

Special thanks to KF Seetoh for writing an article and spreading the words. Thank you Tony and SiHan for all the blog posts. Thank you Leslie for sharing the event on your facebook. Last but not least, all the wonderful friends that came down to support the hawkers.

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I also like to extend our sincere thanks to GoGoVan for the transportation, TMC Academy & ITE for the volunteers, volunteers from Touch Community Services, Stewards Solution for the equipment and Sitong for the beautiful songs to entertain the crowd. The whole event will not be possible with each and everyone of you playing a part in it. THANK YOU ALL.

*All photo credit: misstamchiak.com