Food is a religion in Singapore, and its Gods are the hawkers, chefs and bartenders, whose names are spoken with reverence each time the topic is brought up. Last night, the industry paid homage to these Gods at the 2018 World Gourmet Summit Awards with 31 awards across a variety of food and drink categories.
We’ve had the pleasure of visiting some of the establishments that garnered accolades, and we highly recommend that you drop by for a meal soon before their reservation outpace the number of tables they have, just like Restaurant Andre.
Restaurant of the Year
Gattopardo Ristorante Di Mare
Located at 34/36 Tras Street, Gattopardo Ristorante Di Mare is, for lack of a better word, subliminal. Chef-owner Lino Sauro has brought a slice of authentic Sicilian cuisine to Singapore. Gattopardo is dedicated to seafood and Lino works with sustainable fisheries to create his dishes.
He’s even shared his secret recipe for his signature squid ink pasta with us, which you can find here. But, as any amateur home kitchen chef will tell you, following the recipe is one thing. Cooking is another.
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Chef’s Choice Award
Kirk Westaway, JAAN
Otherwise known as the chef that other chefs love, the Chef’s Choice Award is given to the individual whose cuisine is widely recognised and recommended by his peers. It’s no surprise that Kirk won. And if other chefs hold Kirk in high regard, you know that you’re getting something special.
“Through my personal journey with food, from harvesting organic fruits and vegetables in my family’s backyard as a child to becoming Chef de Cuisine at JAAN, I am now led by two culinary philosophies,” says Chef Kirk. “The first is to always uphold the integrity of the produce and translate the best of each ingredient onto the plate. The second is that food should be comforting and form emotional connections.”
JAAN also received a Michelin star in 2016, under the able stewardship of Kirk.
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Other Winners
Chef of the Year: Angus Chow, Boruto
Executive Chef of the Year: Louis Tay, Swissotel Merchant Court
Rising Chef of the Year: Andrea De Paola, Osteria Art
Asian Cuisine Chef of the Year: Joseph Sergentakis, CE LA VI
Baker of the Year: Leonard Yue, Swissotel The Stamford
Pastry Chef of the Year: Winnie Goh, Mandarin Orchard Singapore
Asian Cuisine Restaurant of the Year: Punjab Grill
Bar of the Year: La Terre
New Restaurant of the Year: Bakalaki Greek Taverna