EPICURE NEWS
What’s on at FHA and WGS
It’s a chocolate lover’s dream that would have Willy Wonka looking on in amazement, as international tradeshow Food&hotelasia2018 sees the Chocolate Chef Competition
(C3) taking place for the first time in Singapore (the last venue was New York in 2016). Six chefs will compete to create one plated dessert and one chocolate bonbon within six hours, using Manjari Grand Cru chocolate from Valrhona. They will be judged by a panel of star chefs, including Bruno Menard and Julien Royer. The winner will go on to represent Asia at the international finale of the 13th Annual Starchefs International Chefs Congress in Brooklyn in October.
Meanwhile, Asia’s largest public pastry competition continues with the Asian Pastry Cup, as 12 teams made of three members compete across two days to produce one chocolate showpiece, one sugar showpiece, 18 plated desserts and two chocolate cakes. The victors will compete in the coveted World Pastry Cup 2019 held in Lyon. Other exciting events to look out for include the return of the Barista Super Duo Challenge and the Asian Gelato Cup.
With products from over 60 countries on display at their individual pavilions, visitors will also have a field day browsing the halls. Visit the Latvia pavilion, as the capital of Riga has been gaining prominence in recent months for its fine produce and restaurants. Have a taste of the top quality sturgeon caviar from MOTTRA Caviar. Unlike other caviar farms, this Latvian company milks or ‘stripes’ the sturgeons of their eggs rather than culling or performing a caesarean on the fishes, giving them a gentle stomach massage to set off the natural process of laying the egg. For those with a sweet tooth, stop by Nelleulla (meaning
‘a golden glow’), which produces premium Latvian chocolate bars, truffles, and jellies that come in a variety of flavours. For something a bit healthier for the little ones, try Lat Eko Food’s premium organic baby food, which contains no sugar or preservatives. The brand also produces spreads, jams, smoothies and fruit drinks for everyone to enjoy. Guilt-free is the name of the game with ‘sin-free’ cookies, macaroons and more from The Beginnings and candied berries, syrups and natural lemonade from Rāmkalni Nordeco.
If non-alcoholic beverages pose no appeal, wine connoisseurs and industry professionals can rejoice at the return of the second Prowine Asia 2018, Southeast Asia’s largest wine and spirits trade fair. French, Italian, Australian and South African wines are well-known throughout the world, but our pick is Austria. Master of Wine (2012) Annette Scarfe will be holding introductory Master Classes on the complete range of Austrian wines – 11 in total. The most famous indigenous Austrian grape varieties of Grüner Veltliner and Zweigelt will be on display, along with Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.
After a long day of walking around FHA, grab a much-needed caffeine hit with coffee specialists Boncafé, whose three gorgeous Melitta coffee machines will be on display, from the user-friendly Melitta Caffeo CI, to the Melitta Caffeo Barista TS, which is able to remember your favourite coffee specialities, and the Melitta Caffeo Solo & Perfect Milk for those who love their coffee with the perfectly frothed milk.
epicure will also be present at the tradeshow, so drop by Hall 4, booth 4J5-10 to pick up a copy of the magazine and enjoy a cup of coffee courtesy of Boncafé. FHA 2018 runs from 24 to 27 April at the Singapore Expo & Suntec Singapore. foodnhotelasia.com