Ready, Jet Set, Go!
Late last year, we announced that FoodNews will be going regional and we kicked off with a client that made us savour nomadic flavours of South India and Sri Lanka in Kuala Lumpur.
That was just the beginning ...
FoodNews continues to take off, and with the team's collective efforts, we can only go onwards and upwards. Here are a few of the new (and delicious) places that we have visited over the past four months, and upcoming ones that we are looking forward to.
Aragu Restaurant, Maldives
An unforgettable trip of a lifetime, we headed to the Maldives to visit Velaa Private Island’s Aragu restaurant, which shines a gastronomic spotlight on Maldivian elements and ingredients, presented with exquisite culinary refinement and incomparable hospitality surpassing that of a three Michelin-starred establishment.
Photo: Aragu
Helmed by Sri Lankan native, Chef Gaushan De Silva, Aragu’s menus spotlight elevated reinterpretations of local Maldivian flavours paired with novel influences from his Sri Lankan heritage, presented with an elegant simplicity resultant of his European training, including in the private kitchens of the Jordanian King and Queen. Talk about eating like Royalty!
As author Annette Tan testifies in The Peak, “If the MICHELIN Guide were in the Maldives, Aragu would deserve more than a single star, especially for its exceptional service. The team never misses a beat, wrapping every guest in the kind of warm, attentive, and competent hospitality that one needs from a restaurant whose setting is as idyllic as this."
Photo: Aragu
Fun fact: One of Chef Gaushan’s favourite local ingredients is the Maldivian tuna, as showcased in his signature dish, the Yellowfin Tuna, Confit Egg Yolk. True to his ‘Maldives first’ approach to produce, Chef Gaushan insists on bringing the ingredient along when he travels overseas for special events, once even resulting in 50 kgs worth of overweight baggage on a flight to New Delhi.
Akuna, Vietnam
Photo: AKUNA at Le Méridien Saigon
We teased the long-awaited return of Chef Sam Aisbett late last year, and now the multi-awarded chef’s newest restaurant is finally open. AKUNA at Le Méridien Saigon sees Chef Sam running a kitchen after a three-year hiatus. Located within the “beautiful chaos” of Ho Chi Minh City, AKUNA presents an experience that reflects his evolution and culinary journey, with an intentional nod to the people and produce of his new home.
"I want the world to see the culinary possibilities I see in Vietnam. In my time here I have tasted, sampled and cooked with amazing ingredients and met some highly skilled chefs – from street food vendors to seasoned professionals. Vietnam is magical and manic, it has opened my eyes to toying with familiarity and allowed me to put a spin on things. At Akuna, I will be cooking and serving what truly makes me happy. Guests will see the real me in the food, and I cannot wait for that", shares Chef Sam.
Photo: Our director Ivy Woo, with Chef Sam Aisbett taken by Ariel Tay
Apart from the delicious dishes we were treated to like the Smoked Australian Free Range Pork Jowl that combines flavours of the land, earth and sea, Chef Sam also brought us to some of his local favourite eateries. Thank you, Chef, for your warm hospitality.
Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023, Hong Kong
Photo: Ariel Tay
Next stop, we landed in the "Pearl of the Orient" as Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 travelled to Hong Kong for the first time.
The list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023, sponsored by Perrier, was announced at a live awards ceremony at Rosewood Hong Kong, and saw Coa retaining its No.1 spot for three consecutive years. So of course we had to visit the bar, even if it meant waiting for 2 hours in the rain. It was definitely worth it though, and if you asked anyone on the team, we’re still dreaming about the Bloody “Beef” Maria…
Photo: Ariel Tay
Next up…
Bombay Canteen, Mumbai
It’s been an exciting few months, but the adventure doesn’t stop there. We are so excited to announce our appointment as the regional agency for The Bombay Canteen, which was most recently voted No.35 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 list.
Photo: The Bombay Canteen
Housed within a recreated old Mumbai bungalow, an ode to the city’s art-deco inspired architectural history, The Bombay Canteen showcases and celebrates the diversity of India, without borders.
The World’s 50 Best Bars, Singapore
And in a homecoming of sorts, the world will be coming to us as we welcome The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023 onto our shores on 17 October. This marks the first time in the awards’ history that the ceremony will be held in Asia.
Also new for 2023 will be a series of five 50 Best Signature Sessions. These live events – which will also be open to the public -- will take place in Singapore’s top bars, where local bar aficionados will be able to savour drinks from the world’s best cocktailian talent, so keep your eyes peeled and fingers ready to make your reservations!
