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OUE Social Kitchen (Media Event) – C is for…

*Finish reading this post to the giveaway below! Till 1st October 2017 (Sun) 2359h!*

C is for Communal

Over the last week I was invited to a media event at OUE Downtown Gallery’s newly launched concept, the OUE Social Kitchen. Opened to the public since 18 September 2017, it is situated at the third storey of the complex (which is really actually a really long building btw), and where you can be part of Singapore’s first communal cooking experience! Inspired by how food is a very universal language we connect with, OUE Social Kitchen is designed as a “co-cooking” (think co-working but with stoves and dining rooms) so that you can comfortably cook and enjoy your own cooking with your friends and family, or even the strangers-who-are-actually-friends-you-haven’t-yet-met at the next station!

The 4000 square foot kitchen space has six standard stations, and two more that’s partitioned at the back that are halal-friendly! There’s also a very spacious dining area, and also two VIP rooms where you can bring your finest guests to enjoy the experience as well (or hold cooking classes! Chef not included, but feel free to ask the staff for any special arrangements)!

C is for Cooking

When we arrived there were already kitchen stations prepped with fresh ingredients where we could have a shot at being the next MasterChef. With a random draw, we picked the salmon en papillote (salmon in parchment) recipe and off we go! It wasn’t too bad in the end, and we got to trade dishes with fellow cooks too! The kitchen’s pretty professional, and is armed to the teeth with the full range of kitchen appliances from Smeg, such as state-of-the-art gas and induction hobs, ovens, microwave, fridge, wine chiller and coffee maker. Small appliances, baking essentials, cookware, crockery and cutlery will also be provided by OUE Social Kitchen. There’s also a wide range of condiments and seasonings at your disposal!

Don’t worry if you are not that great a cook or don’t know how to operate the appliances; there is an in-house chef (was kindly introduced to Chef Andy) and staff at the ready to provide assistance, some cooking tips, and more importantly when you’re done cooking, clean-up services (yay, no dishes)! Thereafter you can enjoy your food at the dining area as long as you like without worrying about anything other than who’s getting the last piece of chicken!

Apart from a delectable range of treats like tacos, DIY waffles and Vietnamese rice rolls, we were also treated to a quick in-house kitchen demo making tuna cakes at one of the VIP rooms. Featuring a high-tech cooking station, you can also interact with your important guests and impress them with some Michelin star-worthy cooking!

C is for Cheap

You may think that such an atas setting like this will burn a really big hole in your pocket/purse right? Actually they’re pretty affordable, with the standard kitchen station started at S$48/hr for up to four persons (that works out to $12 per person) and the VIP room from S$108/hr, subject to 7% GST. They say you can hold corporate and private events here as well, up to 200 people! Now that’s a real community!

Oh, before I forget, you can bring whatever ingredients you like (but please don’t try to make pot brownies here, this is still Singapore)! Or if you don’t want to or don’t have the time to go to the nearest supermarket (which is quite a walk away) you can purchase pre-packed ingredients with the OUE Downtown Gallery App (available on App Store and Google Play) or over the counter, with advance notice.

More Information

OUE Social Kitchen
6A Shenton Way
#03-02/03
Downtown Gallery
Singapore 068815
Opening Hours: 10am to 10pm daily
Tel: 6224 0355
Email: socialkitchen@oue.com.sg

Facebook| Instagram|Website

GIVEAWAY

Fancy yourself impressing your friends and family with your culinary prowess, but not having the space to do it at home? Or maybe you want a new idea for the weekends with your girlfriends? We’ve got TWO sets of vouchers worth $50 (valid till 19 Nov 2017) that you can use at OUE Social Kitchen up for grabs! To participate, you can either:

  1. Like our Facebook page, this post and comment what you would like to cook/bake at OUE Social Kitchen, and/or
  2. Follow us on Instagram (@holeinthewallsg), like and comment on this post what you would like to cook/bake at OUE Social Kitchen as well.

Winners will be picked at random from both posts and announced on social media. Contest ends 8 October 2017 (Sun) 11:59pm (2359h)!

If you didn’t win, don’t worry. You can use the promo code “OUESK141” for a $10 off your booking. Simply use the Downtown Gallery app, navigate to OUE Social Kitchen, and make a booking with the promo code by 31 Oct 2017.

Best of luck!

This post has been kindly brought to you by OUE Social Kitchen.

Want to tell me about a hole in the wall in your neighborhood? Write to me!

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Singapore Coffee Festival 2017 #SGCoffeeFest – Better Latte Than Never!

Singapore Coffee Festival 2017 – Organised by The Straits Times & Presented by DBS Bank

Just yesterday I attended the Singapore Coffee Festival 2017 (Media & Trade Day). Organized by The Straits Times and presented by the DBS Bank, it’s back for its second year!  This year it’s held at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore. To me even though it meant a 10 minute walk down a very long sheltered walkway, it is a big improvement over the previous location, as the entire immigration and boarding centre is turned into a giant festival ground, all in the comfort of cool air-conditioning! There are actually 2 levels of the festival this time, so instead of a claustrophobic corridor, now it is held in a spacious and tall indoor venue.

To cater to everyone, they’ve also split up the sessions into two: brunch (10:00am to 3:30pm) and sundown (4:30pm to 10:00pm). Be sure to go on time so that you have maximum enjoyment of your favourite cuppa. Before you read on, get your tickets here! Regular tickets are priced at $22 per session, and at $18 per session for DBS cardholders and Straits Times subscribers.

 

The Straits Times – Coffee and Conversations

Similar to last year, apart from just downing shots of caffeine, The Straits Times are holding a series of talks and conversations with interesting personalities, from baristas and start-up entrepreneurs, to social enterprises and corporate leaders.

The brunch sessions features Coffee with the Boss, a series of talks by towkays (bosses/leaders) such as DBS’ regional head of group research Timothy Wong on investment tips (Sunday), Singtel’s consumer chief executive Yuen Kuan Moon on the digital age and technology (Saturday), as well as Princess Cruises director for South-east Asia Farriek Tawfik on travel tips and destinations (Friday). The sundown sessions are more casual, featuring cafe owners, baristas discussing becoming a F&B entrepreneur, and having a mid-career change into the industry. Check out the full programme here.

Live Kind with DBS

Can a cup of coffee change the world? As part of its vision to create a positive impact beyond banking, DBS Asia For Good Foundation presents Live Kind, which include a series of interactive workshops like coffee brewing, latte art to snack making and tasting sessions. You can also  shop for some artisanal coffee, tea and snacks at The Good Market. Live ethically, effortlessly with these sustainable businesses from across Asia that will be showcasing a range of socially conscious coffee, organic snacks, and all natural skincare products.

Also get yourself some goodies by completing a list of tasks on the Live Kind Passport, but you got to register on the link first or at the festival!

Check out their website before you go down, over here.

Hook me up with some Caffeine!

This year, Singapore Coffee Festival boasts over 100 partners and exhibitors, from commercial brands to local coffee brewers. Get yourself some classic and curated roasts by various cafes (I went for Brawn & Brains’ Natural and Kochere coffee mixes (served in a pourover). Personally I preferred the natural for its berry taste and acidity! Otherwise, get some cold brews such as by Lorgan and Sons and 1degreec, or Coffee in a Cone by Coffee Academics just to name a few. Some festival exclusives are also available, such as Hyde & Co, whom are selling its cold brew iced teas in bottled form for the first time at $8 each, while Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee will be launching a special blend of coffee beans. There are also international specials like the Japan Roast (I love their Kenyan roasts) and Shiseido boutique are also here to show off some international love!

Do also check out the second level of the exhibition (there’s escalators and elevators available) where you can find coffee making paraphernalia for sale, and also Owa Coffee by Mandai & Wildlife Reserves Singapore, which is grown by Javanese farmers in an wildlife-friendly manner and protects the Javan silvery Gibbons, which is threatened by deforestation from practices such as coffee-growing. You can also participate in (you need to register online first) different workshops like Lab Sessions @ The Lab by Common Man Roasters.

Check out the different sections of the exhibition, such as a local Kopi Corner designed by Daniel Boey featuring Ya Kun Kaya Toast, and the sunset wharf where you can find Hyde & Co and Symmetry along with a power packed line-up of musical performances throughout the festival, featuring acts like local singers Inch Chua, Jawn , indie rock band Stopgap, and producer Tim De Cotta. I’d recommend chilling there, by the seaside, to end the night with your favourite beverage! For me it was the coffee pale ale (beer) by Brawn & Brains!

For a whole list of participating cafes and brands, click here!

Coffee Alternatives

Wished you had a better tolerance to caffeine (unlike me) and want to take a break from the coffee? There’s also plenty of options such as the flower teas by SWATi, Strawberry Oolong Tea by Boba Brew, and many more! Hungry? There’s also plenty of food choices, such as the watermelon soft serve (eat it fast, it melts really quick!) and Rendang Mac & Cheese with Ayam Keluak Kueh Pie Tee by Arbite. Check out the friendly magazine that’s available if you ever get spoilt for choice!

#Covfefe or Bust

Hope you people enjoy this year’s Singapore Coffee Festival like I had. As drinking a large amount of coffee does have a diuretic effect, be sure to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated, and avoid it on a completely empty stomach!

More Information

Singapore Coffee Festival 2017 By The Straits Times and DBS Bank
Marina Bay Cruise Centre – Getting There
61 Marina Coastal Drive
Singapore 018947
Tickets here

 

Many thanks to The Straits Times & DBS for inviting!

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Jules Taylor Wines Launch with WOK°15 Kitchen at ONE°15 Marina

Jules Taylor Wines Singapore Launch

Just a couple of weeks ago, we were invited to the Singapore launch of Jules Taylor Wines at ONE°15 Marina, Sentosa Cove. From Marlborough, New Zealand,  this namesake winery started as and is still a boutique, family-owned-and-run company. Launched in 2001 with just 200 cases of Pinot Gris and Riesling, it has grown to include several other varieties, including Jules’ award winning Sauvignon Blanc. Joined by her husband George, another experienced winemaker with more than 18 years of experience (that adds up to at least 40 years of wine-making between them!), they also eventually launched George’s own collection, aptly named ‘The Better Half’. More on that!

WOK°15 Kitchen at ONE°15 Marina

Lauded as “Singapore’s Top Restaurant” by Wine & Dine, WOK°15 Kitchen radiates the spirit of the sea by featuring fresh live seafood for selection from the aquarium. With Executive Chef Chum Kar Ho leading the line, WOK°15 Kitchen showcases exquisite yet hearty Cantonese cuisine that, with its complex and rich flavours, will allure palates and satisfy even the most discerning and picky gastronomes. Presenting cuisines that are faithful to the traditional cooking techniques of Cantonese dining, expect only the most exalted flavours with an emphasis on premium seafood and uniquely crafted dishes.

We were treated to a really generous tasting menu by WOK°15, such as their appetiser which includes signature deep fried fish skin with salted egg yolk (黄金炸鱼皮) and sautéed pork belly with special sauce(妙酱烧肉); deep fried marble goby served with deluxe soya sauce (油浸顺壳鱼), sautéed beef cubes with garlic flakes (蒜片牛柳粒), and the star of the day, Singapore Chilli Crab with ried mantou (特制辣椒蟹伴炸馒头)! Okay enough talking for a bit, enjoy the pictorial break!

With fine food comes fine wine as well, in epicurean style. We had a wide variety of wines to pair with, but we especially loved the award winning Jules Taylor Wines Sauvignon Blanc. Without rambling on too much on the vintage, the concentrated of citrus and passionfruit flavour notes also carries subtle hints of fresh summer herbs with lemongrass. These linger on your palate, giving a long well-rounded finish to the wine without feeling too dry after. Grouped with fresh and well-prepared seafood, it is a perfect pairing!

All Aboard the ANKA by ONE°15 Marina

After a scrumptious lunch we were brought on board the ANKA, a mid-sized luxurious yacht courtesy of ONE°15 Marina. On deck we were graced with a presentation by George Elworthy (Jules Taylor’s husband), CEO of Jules Taylor Wines and Laura Grey, Deputy High Commissioner of New Zealand for Singapore. As explained the wines on offer were basically categorised into 3 groups; the classic, premium and elite; each represented by The Better Half, Jules Taylor (the wine collection) and “On The Quiet”, which is a reserve range of single vineyard wines by Jules, released in very limited volumes.

Out of all we felt the Pinot Noir was undoubtedly the most memorable. With wonderfully intense fruit flavours seamlessly balanced with soft, velvety tannins, it gives off a potpourri of aromas; ripe dark fruit, cherry and plum are layered over subtle oaky notes. Which is what we would expect of a Pinot Noir, complex but very easy to drink over just about anything you want to pair it with (went well with the scallops and other light bites served on board by WOK°15 Kitchen as well)!

So that was a really fruitful (and fruity, geddit, fruity notes #dadjokes) afternoon, albeit dampened slightly by poor weather. Many thanks to ONE°15 Marina and Jules Taylor Wines for putting together a feast!

More Information

Jules Taylor Wines
Facebook | Instagram | Website
Price range for the wines are from $60-$80 for The Better Half and Jules Taylor, to about $100-110 for On the Quiet. For more information, visit their website or contact  the local Singapore distributor, SUTL Consumer Goods. I’d recommend you look at their full list of wines at their page here, or the gallery below. Currently they’re available at both of  ONE°15 Marina Club’s restaurants, Wheeler’s Yard, Post Bar at Fullerton Hotel and Temasek Club, just to name a few!

 

WOK°15 Kitchen
Level 1, ONE°15 Marina
Sentosa Cove, 11 Cove Drive
Singapore 098497
Lunch:
Tuesday – Saturday 11.30am – 2.30pm
Sunday & Public Holiday 11.30am – 2.30pm
Dinner:
Tuesday – Sunday & Public Holiday 6pm – 10pm
CLOSED ON MONDAYS
Reservations; call 6305 6998 or email at wok15@one15marina.com
Facebook | Instagram | Website

BONUS CONTENT

Beat the heat this National Day with the Red and White Pool Party. Featuring DJ Daniel Benjamin, DJ Patrick Olivier and DJ Maverick on the decks, be prepared to move to the groove of the fresh beats from day to night while immersing in the view of surrounding multi-million dollar superyachts, right at ONE°15 Marina Club. Tickets information as below on the poster.

As part of National Day celebrations, they’re also having a promotion for the aforementioned chilli crab at WOK°15 Kitchen, where it is $6++ per 100 grams (usual price at $8++ per 100 grams) for the whole month of August! That’s not all, there’s also a 1-for-1 Singapore Sling promotion at their bar, Bar Nebula! Talk about the good life!

 


 

This post is brought to you together with ONE°15 Marina and WOK°15 Kitchen, and Jules Taylor WInes. Picture and stomach space credits to Jon.

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Mandarin Gallery presents Singapore Food Trail (13 July 2017)

So the Singapore Food Festival (SFF) is going on this month, and to join in the festivities, Mandarin Gallery teamed up with selected restaurants to present the Singapore Food Trail! We were invited to the official presentation of this event just last week, where familiar names such as Antoinette, Arteastiq, Lawry’s The Prime Rib, and The Providore have all created specials for you to enjoy from 14 July to 9 August 2017, leading up to Singapore’s 52nd National Day! I’ll go through each and every one of the dishes we got to taste that day, so sit tight!

The Providore

A homage to the cocktail that is often part of the repertoire of many bartenders’ across the globe, The Providore came up with the Singapore Sling Mocktail ($8.50++), so everyone can enjoy the refreshing and fruity notes of this Singapore classic! It was a really humid afternoon (like really surprising, huh?) so this was a good starting point to quench our thirst. We liked the pineapple crisp that gave that extra zest and crunch to the drink!

Antoinette

Fancy some sweets for high-tea? This quintessential Parisian pâtisserie and salon de thé combined the fragrance of Southeast Asia with French finesse, with the Orient ($9++; comes in a regular and mini size). This holy creation consists of a salted egg cremeux with lotus seed mousse, coconut cake, on a salted peanut sesame praline crispy. Think Liu Sha Bao (流沙包; salted egg yolk custard buns), but on delicate French confectionery. Heavenly!

Arteastiq

While better known for being a tea house and an art jamming studio (hence the portmanteau of art and tea), Arteastiq also has a generous brunch selection. For the food trail, they unveiled the Two-Way Lobster ($38++; totally unintended innuendo btw). It features (well) lobsters prepared in two very different styles; Lobster Thermidor (French) and otah-stuffed lobster shell (SIngaporean), served with barley risotto. The result is a burst of flavor (in fact, 2 bursts) which are both savory in their own rights, but are well-balanced with the other.

Lawry’s The Prime Rib

Last stop of the day! At this time we were already S-T-U-F-F-E-D. But who could say no to…

Chilli Crab Pasta($38++)! Lawry’s The Prime Rib is not only well-known for its steaks and roasts, also has a fresh seafood collection. With chilli crab ubiquitous to Singapore cuisine, from hawker centres to fine-dining restaurants, this steak house decided to have a go at it! On top of the chilli crab pasta, which is generously prepared with shreds of fresh crab, is yet another crab, albeit a soft shell one. But that’s not all, Lawry’s also came up with a refreshing Red Jubilee ($5.20++), a festive creation that calls for a celebration!

Psst. the chilli crab pasta will only be available for lunch in July, but will be available all day in August. Take note!

Win Some Good Food (Giveaway)!

Did I get your attention with all these wonderful dishes on the food trail? Now YOU can stand a chance to win dining vouchers worth $100 from each of the above restaurants, simply by following Mandarin Gallery on Instagram (@mandaringallery) and Facebook (facebook.com/mandaringallery), and leaving a comment (you need to tag 3 friends on Instagram) telling them which dish you would like to try the most and why! (See posts below). Good Luck!

More Information

Mandarin Gallery: Facebook | Instagram | Website

Antionette: Facebook | Website

Arteastiq: Facebook | Instagram | Website

Lawry’s The Prime Rib: Facebook | Instagram | Website

The Providore: Facebook | Instagram | Website

This post is brought to you by Mandarin Gallery presents Singapore Food Trail. Picture credits to Mandarin Gallery, the participating restaurants, and Kyla Tan (give her a follow @_kylatan too yea!).

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