The holiday mood has arisen as we approach the end of the year! This is the time when Singaporeans are counting down to the days when we can feast on good food every day and soak up the good cheers of ongoing festivities. Now, one major food festival all food enthusiasts must not miss is the AccorHotels Food & Wine Festival from 04 to 12 Nov 2017.

In Singapore, delectable food and excellent wine is not simply just a national pastime but considered an inalienable right and AccorHotels knows that best. This festival will spread across nine days in 40 restaurants and bars of hotels under the group. Organised by the largest and most prestigious hotel operator in Singapore, you can be assured that the festival will be nothing short of grand.

This inaugural gourmet food & wine festival will play host to over 100 chefs across AccorHotels’ massive network of Michelin-starred chefs from multiple award-winning restaurants and chefs such as Michelin-star Chef Kirk Westaway of JAAN, Raffles Singapore’s Amos Ting and Chef Louis Tay of Swissôtel Merchant Court who won the Culinary Olympics 2016.

Starring ‘Super Sunday Brunch’ held at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa, the coolest pool parties and masterclasses, treat yourselves to exciting culinary creations and interesting alcoholic beverages by more than 100 highly dedicated chefs from AccorHotels.

Here’s what you can expect from this 9-day Food & Wine Extravaganza. 

WHAT TO EXPECT AT ACCORHOTELS FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL 2017

The AccorHotels Singapore Food & Wine Festival 2017 is perhaps one of the grandest food festivals Singapore has ever seen and it speaks of the innate passion that we Singaporeans have for food. For nine full days, expect pool party across several different hotels, masterclasses from cocktail shaking to world-class baking, various set lunch and dinner menus, foodie influencer meet-ups and the Biggest Brunch—one that we are totally stoked about.

Guests will be amazed by culinary geniuses who are able to celebrate Singapore’s multi-ethnic influences through delectable food and drinks in beautiful settings. This scale of the event is impressive to say the least, and as Michael Issenberg, Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of AccorHotels, Asia Pacific says, “It speaks to the passion Singaporeans have for food.”

THE BIGGEST BRUNCH IN SINGAPORE

Held on 12 Nov 2017 at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa, all AccorHotel’s restaurants and bars will showcase their signature dishes and beverages alongside entertainment and fun for everyone in the family. Imagine being surrounded by the finest foods from some of the best restaurants and bars in the city—all at one destination.

One of the star dishes that stole our hearts was Hen’s Egg, Celeriac, Caviar whipped up by Michelin-star Chef Kirk Westaway from JAAN at Swissôtel The Stamford, Singapore.

It was a dream dish by Chef Kirk who cleverly tied in nature’s finest produce coupled with precise culinary techniques. The key here is to use simple methods that best enhance the natural flavours of each unique ingredient.

Alternatively, diners can also look forward to Lobster Bisque & Octopus Avocado by Chef Jean-Charles Dubois from the newly-opened Sofitel Singapore City Centre; and the Saute Slipper Lobster with Black Bean Sauce, Mango Salsa & Sesame, a recipe created by Chef Louis Tay of Swissôtel Merchant Court.

If you are there for the drinks, we highly recommend Anti:dote’s mixologist Bannie Kang’s Hwa Chae and the original Singapore Sling prepared by Amos Ting from Raffles Hotel. Both make stunning cocktails at extremely fast speed. And, we can always do with an extra glass of good cocktail, right?

HAVE A SPLASHIN’ GOOD TIME AT POOL PARTIES

A festival is just incomplete without pool parties so gather all your friends and have a wild time together! Since this is a food festival, partygoers will be treated to freshly made dishes and local BBQ items. What’s more, there will also be a fully-stocked bar serving stylish cocktails, bubbly champagne and a range of local and imported beer on tap!

Your night will be made memorable with DJs spinning the latest hit songs and live performances from solo musicians and bands, depending on which hotel you choose to go to.

There are five hotels in total for you to pick from—Fairmont Singapore, Swissôtel The Stamford, Singapore, ibis Styles Singapore On MacPherson, Mercure Singapore Bugis and SO Sofitel Singapore.

SIGN UP FOR THE MASTERCLASSES

Pick up some culinary skills along the way when you join in the masterclasses. From cocktail shaking and world-class baking to making latte art and chocolate demonstration workshops, surely there is something that will interest you.

Parents would also be pleased to know that they can sign their young ones up for kids cooking classes, ice cream making lessons and even a pasta necklace crafting session. These are perfect bonding activities for families, ain’t it?

SPECIAL SET MENUS CURATED BY RESTAURANTS OF PARTICIPATING HOTELS

Just for this festival alone, there will be special 3-course set menus at participating restaurants under AccorHotels. Prices range from S$15++ to S$47++ for lunch and S$27++ to S$67++ (including a glass of red or white wine) for dinner.

In particular, you have to try the Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Morel Crust at Royale Restaurant, Mercure Singapore Bugis. Executive Chef Nicholas Sia uses the freshest seafood that are all locally farmed from Ah Hua Kelong.

WIN PRIZES WHILE ENJOYING SPECIAL PROMOTIONS

The AccorHotels Singapore Food & Wine Festival is proudly sponsored by Mastercard and British Airways.

Throughout the course of the nine days, attendees can also collect stamps using a special “Foodie Passport” and lucky winners will stand a chance to win a trip to Sydney or Paris courtesy of British Airways—one of the event’s sponsors—as well as hotel stays at the various hotels under the AccorHotels group.

All participating restaurants and bars are listed in the passport and dining at any one of them will award you 1 stamp*(terms and conditions apply).

Le Club AccorHotels’ members will receive a 2nd stamp upon verification, and the 3rd stamp will be awarded when you pay via MasterCard.  Diners must have at least 3 stamps before 12 November in order to qualify for the F&B voucher.

If all these talks about good food have gotten you on the edge of your seat, then what are you waiting for? Book your tickets now at accorhotelsfoodfestival.com.

Tickets for the pool party on 04 November start at S$22 and tickets for the festival lunch and dinner set menu from 04 to 12 November start at S$15.

This post is brought to you by AccorHotels Asia Pacific.

The Singapore Sling – a national cocktail created in year 1915 – is an alcoholic beverage that everyone should try at least once in their lives.

While there are various interpretations of this drink across Singapore today, the key ingredients of Singapore Sling include cherry brandy, cointreau, D.O.M. Bénédictine, gin, lime juice, pineapple juice and angostura bitters.

How does celebrating National Day with a national cocktail sound? From the original Long Bar’s Singapore Sling, celebrity restaurant Adrift by David Myers’ Singapore Sling to award-winning Manhattan Bar’s Singapura National, here are 10 Singapore Slings to Sip On This National Day.

Source: Adrift

#1 ADRIFT BY DAVID MYERS – SINGAPORE SLING

WHAT IT IS: Celebrity restaurant Adrift by David Myers’ take on the Singapore Sling consists of Beefeater gin, Bénédictine Dom, Cointreau, lemon juice and pineapple juice. The refreshing concoction is served in a tall glass.

PRICE: S$23++

10 Bayfront Avenue
Tower 2 Lobby
Marina Bay Sands
Singapore 018956
Tel: +65 6688 5657
Mon to Fri: 7am – 10.30am, 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat and Sun: 7am – 10.30am, 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bayfront

Source: The Halia

#2 HALIA – SINGAPORE SLING

WHAT IT IS: Made fresh to order, Halia’s Singapore Sling is made with the revered Hendrick’s Gin, Cointreau, Cherry Brandy, Pineapple Juice, Grenadine Syrup and Bénédictine D.O.M. Customers will receive an exclusive postcard souvenir with each Singapore Sling cocktail purchased.

PRICE: S$28++

1 Beach Road, #01-22/23
Raffles Hotel
Singapore 189673
Tel: +65 9639 1148
Mon: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 9.30pm
Closed on Tuesdays
Wed to Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 9.30pm
Sat: 12pm – 10pm
Sun: 11am- 9.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

Source: Raffles

#3 LONG BAR – SINGAPORE SLING

WHAT IT IS: Long Bar’s Singapore Sling  is the mother of all Singapore Slings for an obvious reason – Long Bar is the birthplace of the very first Singapore Sling! Not only that, the recipe used to concoct this drink is still the same as a century ago.

PRICE: S$27++

1 Beach Road,
Raffles Hotel
Singapore 189673
Tel: +65 6337 1886
Sun to Thu: 11am – 12.30am
Fri and Sat: 11am – 1.30am
Nearest Station: City Hall

Source: Loof

#4 LOOF – SINGAPORE SOUR

WHAT IT IS: The Singapore Sour is an alternative interpretation of the classic Singapore Sling. Using vodka instead of gin, the alcoholic beverage comprises a mixture of sour plum extract, calamansi juice and soda.

PRICE: S$17++

331 North Bridge Road, #03-07
Odeon Towers Extension Rooftop
Singapore 188720
Closed on Sundays
Mon to Thu: 5pm – 1am
Fri and Sat: 5pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Bras Basah / City Hall

Source: CNN

#5 MANHATTAN BAR – SINGAPURA NACIONAL

WHAT IT IS: The glorious Singapura Nacional is essentially a hybrid between the Singapore Sling  and a classic Cuban Cocktail. The Singapore Sling-inspired cocktail consists of apricot brandy, gin, fresh pineapple juice, lemon juice and a house made spice syrup.

PRICE: S$23++

1 Cuscaden Road
Regent Singapore
Singapore 249715
Daily: 5pm – 1am
Tel: +65 6725 3377
Nearest Station: Orchard

#6 NUTMEG & CLOVE – BARREL AGED SINGAPORE SLING

WHAT IT IS: Nutmeg & Clove’s Barrel Aged Singapura Sling (S$20) is charactersied by with bittersweet herbaceous notes of red dates and goji berries. It is an interesting twist to the sweet Singapore Slings we know.

PRICE: S$20++

10 Ann Siang Hill
Singapore 069789
Closed on Sundays
Mon to Thu: 6pm – 1am
Fri and Sat: 6pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

Source: Asia Bars

#7 ORGO – SINGAPORE SLING

WHAT IT IS: Orgo boasts spectacular views of Singapore’s skyline and an impressive cocktail menu. Of course, their Singapore Sling is one of the bestsellers and is basically a fruity tropical alcoholic blend of lime, pomegranate juice and freshly squeezed pineapple.

PRICE: S$22++

Esplanade Mall, #04-01
8 Raffles Avenue
Theatres on the Bay
Singapore 039802
Tel: +65 6336 9366
Sun: 6pm – 12am
Mon to Sat: 6pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Esplanade / City Hall

Source: Osteria Mozza

#8 OSTERIA MOZZA – SINGAPORE SLING

WHAT IT IS: Osteria Mozza’s take on the good old Singapore Sling is no less impressive than the original. The sweet and fruity cocktail is enhanced by Peter Heering and we love the lingering woody aftertaste.

PRICE: S$24++

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
10 Bayfront Avenue, #B1-42/46
Singapore 018956
Tel: +65 6688 8522
Daily: 5pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bayfront

Source: Asia Bars

#9 POST BAR – SINGAPORE SLING

WHAT IT IS: From the traditional Singapore Sling , Coconut Sling, Peach Sling to honey-infused Almond Sling, Post Bar’s Singapore Sling menu actually features eight different types that are lovingly handcrafted by their team of talented mixologists.

PRICE: S$21++

1 Fullerton Square
Singapore 049178
Tel: +65 6877 8135
Daily: 12pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

#10 SMOKE & MIRRORS – NEW & OLD SLING

WHAT IT IS: Smokes & Mirrors has successfully revamped the classic Singapore Sling into an innovative creation by retaining its main elements and introducing new ingredients. Think small batch rhye whisky, fresh orange, cassis, angostura bitters and Prosecco mixed into one awesome New & Old Sling.

PRICE: S$26++

1 St Andrew’s Road
National Gallery
Singapore 178957
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 12.30am
Fri and Sat: 12pm – 2am
Sun: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: City Hall

Read: What is a Singapore Sling – A simple history of the iconic local cocktail in Singapore.

While the Singapore Sling cocktail is not the most common cocktail choice, the alcoholic concoction is still integral to the history of Singapore in the Straits Settlements.

Back then, women drinking in public was frowned upon and social etiquette has deterred them to do so. But the creation of the Singapore Sling in 1915 has since changed the ladies’ fate forever.

The Singapore Sling comprises a mixture of cherry brandy, cointreau, D.O.M. Bénédictine, London dry gin, lime juice, pineapple juice and a dash of angostura bitters.

The refreshing drink was invented by Raffles Hotel’s bartender Ngiam Tong Boon who understood his female guests’ pain. He cleverly used pink grenadine to disguise the cocktail as a fruit tea.

The orange-coloured cocktail concoction had successfully disobeyed the prevalent social taboo and allowed ladies to drink liquor-infused fruit punches at Raffles Hotel without having to worry about their image.

Ngiam had defied all traditional notions and revolutionised society’s culture; even gentlemen were buying ladies Singapore Slings during the British colony days.

Source: The Halia

While there are numerous variations of the Singapore cocktail today, Long Bar at Raffles Hotel – where it was first created – is still hands down the best and it will be the most authentic rendition you will ever have.

The recipe used to prepare Singapore Slings at Long Bar is still the exact same as it was a century ago. This gin-based cocktail is still the best-selling cocktail at its birthplace today, and it is something that you have to try at least once in your life.