The month-long gourmet and lifestyle festival that is Asian Masters kicks off next year from Jan 3-30. Presented by American Express, it aims to showcase Asia’s culture and talents, with an incredible lineup of culinary maestros from around the region including Bobby Chinn, Otto Weibel and Justin Quek. It’s certainly something to look forward to. Among the many highlights are a cocktail tasting session with Tomoyuki Kitazoe at Orgo (Jan 26-27), a showcase of Indian cuisine with Tarla Dalal at RWS (Jan 24-30) and a culinary masterclass with Sam Leong at his new cooking school on Craig Road (Jan 7, 15, 21, 29). For event details and reservations, log on to www.asianmasters.com.sg.
As the year draws to a close, the only thing you should be doing is squeezing in as much eating and drinking as is physically possible. That’s certainly my approach. To help me along, was a celebratory four-course meal at The Moomba (52 Circular Rd., 6438-0141), marking its 14th birthday and 14 years of partnership with the award winning Voyager Estate vineyard. The affair presented a collection of Voyager Estate wines, exclusively available at The Moomba, paired with dishes such as chilled truffle-infused capellini with grilled squid, sautéed prawns on a pancetta, tomato and lentil stew with poached egg and red wine-braised Wagyu beef cheek on green pea mash. An all round crowd pleaser was the light and refreshing 2007 Chardonnay ($55), but I was more taken with the lush mouth feel of the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot ($79).
Dishing out some foodie news for the hungry: Celebrity chef Daniel Boulud is in town this week to officially open his restaurant, db Bistro Moderne (#B1-48 Galleria Level, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8525) at Marina Bay Sands. This just shortly after Justin Quek’s launch of the nearby Sky on 57 (57/F Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8857). Till we’ve officially rung in 2011, happy holidays folks!