Middle East food enthusiasts are heading to the Singapore Food Festival, a month-long gastronomic extravaganza which kicks off today (Friday) in the island-nation with a series of exciting events. The Singapore Food Festival, that will last till July 27, has become one of the most highly anticipated events festivals during the peak summer travel season aimed at attracting Middle East visitors. “The Singapore Food Festival is an ideal time for tourists from the region to come share in our nationwide passion for food and experience the tantalizing cuisine that Singapore is renowned for,” said Jason Ong, area director, Middle East and Africa, Singapore Tourism Board. A unique program of activities and events are lined up for the summer extravaganza, which will take visitors on a culinary journey of the city-state's rich blend of Malay, Indian and Chinese-influenced cuisine. Culinary workshops and cooking classes will also be available at various venues across Singapore during the festival, giving aspiring chefs a chance to create some of their favorite Singaporean dishes. Commonly referred to as the “Food Capital of Asia”, Singapore has become one of the world's leading gastronomic destinations due to the wide availability of fresh foods and an eclectic mix of spices and ingredients from around the globe. The Singapore Tourism Board is an economic development agency for one of Singapore's key service sectors - tourism. The mission of the Board is to develop and champion tourism, so as to build the sector into a key driver of economic growth for Singapore. The STB also differentiates and markets Singapore as a must-visit destination, offering enriching experiences through the “Uniquely Singapore” branding. This year's Opening Celebrations of the Singapore Food Festival - its biggest yet - set Orchard Road a-buzz with a riot of colors and gastronomic activities inspired by the most iconic of Singapore dishes - Chilli Crab. The event also suitably reflected this year's theme - A Celebration of Singaporean Cuisine. Guest-of-Honor and Minister of State for Trade and Industry, S. Iswaran, took the opportunity on his first day in office as minister of State to declare the Singapore Food Festival open. The pedestrian mall along Orchard Road, fronting Wisma Atria, Ngee Ann City and Meritus Mandarin, took on a festive mood as invited guests, media, festival partners, food critics, food enthusiasts and crab-hungry members of the public good-naturedly jostled to sample the “star” dish - Chilli Crab. The festival attracts thousands to its packed calendar of free-admission core and ticketed fringe events, which averages 10 to 15 percent tourist attendance. Established as an annual signature feature on the city's buzzing events calendar and a key highlight this time of the year alongside the Great Singapore Sale, the Singapore Food Festival distinguishes and positions Singapore as a vibrant lifestyle destination with a distinctive food culture and colorful food heritage. “Singapore is already recognized internationally as a food paradise and its diverse dining options are key draws for both leisure and business visitors all year round.” __
