The annual Epicurean Market by Marina Bay Sands returns this weekend for three days of merrymaking. Loads of celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, culinary masterclasses and previews of upcoming MBS openings await, so if you’re feeling a tad overwhelmed, let us break it down for you with these six highlights.
Be one of the first in Singapore to try a soon-to-be-opened MBS restaurant
If you love your crispy fried chicken, you’ll wanna get in line at Yardbird Southern Table & Bar. Famous for delish Southern fare, the American restaurant — which has outlets in Miami and Las Vegas — is coming to Marina Bay Sands next year. So before the queues start forming outside the space (and you know they will), you’ll get to be one of the first people in Singapore to sink your teeth into the must-try platter of fried chicken and waffles with watermelon and bourbon maple syrup. Other hearty offerings include chicken biscuits, deviled eggs, fried green tomato BLTs and red velvet cupcakes.
Sample dishes by two acclaimed restaurants from the Venetian Macao
Two restaurants from the Venetian Macao hotel in Macau make their debut at the fest this year — North offers a three-item menu that includes Sichuan-style pork dumplings in a spicy broth and grilled lamb skewers; while Golden Peacock is a one-Michelin-starred name specialising in Indian cuisine. But don’t forget about all the other MBS celeb chef restaurants — names like Adrift, CUT, Waku Ghin, Bread Street Kitchen and db Bistro & Oyster Bar will be whipping up bite-sized portions of their signature plates.
Stock your pantry with fresh produce from the Farmer’s Market
Take a stroll around and tick items off your grocery list with fresh produce and gourmet products by the likes of Avocado Global, The Cheese Artisans, Fresh Juice Bar, Huber’s Butchery, Mozza2Go, Sincere Food and lots more.
Mingle with celebrity chefs and try not to be awestruck
Making an appearance at the market are big names like Daniel Boulud, Tetsuya Wakuda, David Myers, Justin Quek, David Thompson and Nancy Silverton. They’ll be behind the booths of their respective restaurants, as well as hosting masterclasses throughout the weekend. So pop by and say hi (they don’t bite).
Enjoy a world class boozy experience with top notch bartenders
It’s only the best for you at World Class Bar, where bartenders at the top of their game serve you refreshing tipples. Must-tries include the Singleton Tropical Sour of whisky, lemongrass syrup, lemon juice and coconut oil; Tanqueray Ten & Tonic, their version of gin and tonic; and Pimm’s Golden Cup, a mix of Pimm’s No. 1, gin, lemon juice, ginger beer, mint leaves, ginger, cucumber and strawberry.
Dance the night (and those calories you just ingested) away
The festival runs till late on Friday and Saturday, so get on your feet and show off those moves as DJs Ya5th, Patrick Oliver, Brendon P, Joshua P and Deepak helm the decks.
Epicurean Market 2016 is on Aug 12-14, Fri & Sat noon-2am, Sun noon-9pm, at Halls A-C, Sands Expo and Convention Centre at Marina Bay Sands. $34/three-day pass; Masterclasses from $25.
