Gelato World Tour Unveils Top 16 Finalists from Asia Pacific Region

GELATO WORLD TOUR 2.0

Announces Top 16 Asia Pacific Flavours Vying for

“WORLD’S BEST GELATO” Title

• Finalists from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines,

Thailand, Vietnam, 3 from Australia and 6 from Singapore

• 20 to 22 March 2015, Marina Bay Sands Singapore

Singapore, 4 March 2015 – The much-anticipated second edition of Gelato World Tour (GWT) will start in Singapore on March 20, making it Asia’s first Gelato Capital of the World. For three consecutive days, this extraordinary event at the Marina Bay Sands will flag off the “Formula One of Gelato” and also celebrate fifty years of the Singapore Republic in the coolest way.

Gelato World Tour, the first international travelling competition in search of the best flavours in the world, is directed by the prestigious Carpigiani Gelato University and Sigep, the most important exhibition in the world for the artisan production of gelato, pastry, confectionery and bakery products held in Rimini, Italy. Its mission is to spread the culture of Italian-style gelato, a fresh, artisan food product throughout the world. The main partners are IFI, international leader in the manufacturing of display cases for gelaterias and PreGel, the world’s largest producer of ingredients for gelato, pastry and coffee shops, official licensee of EXPO Milano 2015. Prodea Group is the operating partner and Felicitas Global Pte Ltd is the event’s local partner in Singapore. In its first edition, GWT toured seven gelato capitals in the world, namely Rome, Valencia, Melbourne, Dubai, Austin, Berlin and Rimini.

Visitors to the event will be delighted by the amazing flavours freshly created on the spot and presented by new and seasoned gelato artisans from the Asia Pacific region as they pit themselves against each other in the quest to win the prestigious “World’s Best Gelato” title. The top 16 gelato flavours of the Asia Pacific region* were picked by the Selection Jury presided by Pang Kok Keong, Chef and founder of Sugar Daddy Group, Yeoh Wee Teck, columnist with The New Paper, and renowned Luciana Polliotti, journalist and curator of the  historical Gelato Museum Carpigiani.

On 24 and 25 March 2015, the Carpigiani Gelato University will inaugurate a new Singapore programme in partnership with At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy, by offering special open day sessions. There are 40 places available, free admission is upon request. To register please write to info@gelatouniversity.com. At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy will become the first hub of the Carpigiani Gelato University in the Asia-Pacific region.

As another first for the Singapore leg, the tour will host an exclusive “Gelato with a Heart” dinner. At this first ever event in Asia Pacific gelato will take centrestage from appetizer to dessert. Created by well-known Chef Christopher Christie of Marina Bay Sands and Pastry Chef Pang Kok Keong, in collaboration with the local Italian instructor of the Carpigiani Gelato University, the menu will feature combinations of hot and cold, sweet and savoury, unique fusions of the East and West masterpieces. The dinner will include an auction where proceeds will be donated to beneficiaries of the Singapore President's Challenge 2015. Only a few special early bird promotion seats remain available (reservations can be made by calling 6224 6788 or via email at smita@felicitasglobal.com ).

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List of the Top 16 Flavours Vying for “WORLD’S BEST GELATO” Title

• Kochi Popz by Chronos Chan & Eunice Soon of Tom’s Palette, Singapore

• Caramel and Almond Crunch by Vanjimuthu Palaniswamy & Kavithamani Vanjimuthu of Boomerang, Coimbatore, India

• Coffee and Nuts with Sesame Brittle by Angsna Dhippayom of I - Kitchen Restaurant, Had Yai, Thailand

• Mango Ube Symphony by Zarah Zaragoza-Manikan of Bono Artisanal Gelato, Makati City, Manila, Philippines

• Roasted Walnut and Honey Crunch by David Lamprell, Michael & Brian O’Donnell of 48 Flavours, Adelaide, SA, Australia

• Burnt Butter with toffee almond brittle by Robbie Hill of Yamba Icecreamery, Yamba, NSW, Australia

• Chendol Merdeka by Marco Alfero of Alfero Artisan Gelato, Singapore

• Loving Date by Stefano Cadorin of +39 Gelato Bar, Singapore

• Singapore Sling by Charles Tan of FATCAT Ice Cream Bar, Singapore

• Croccante alla Fragola by Mirko Stortini of Gelato Italia, Hanoi, Vietnam

• Curcuma (or Temulawak) by Andre Soenjoto of de Boliva, Surabaya, Indonesia

• Good ‘Ol Days by Sharon Tay of Momolato, Singapore

• Beer with Ciambella by Harish Doneka of Pick Me Up Cafe, Singapore

• Vanilla of the East by Keewin & Seow Han Ong of Cielo Dolci, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

• Lemon Zest with Fig Marmalade & Dark Chocolate by Antonino Lo Iacono of Gelatony, Sydney, NSW, Australia

• From the Cradle to the Grave by Steve & Chrissie Powell of Vostrogusto Gelato, Wellington, New Zealand

Highlights of the 3-Day Event

The GWT Village is located at Exhibition Hall D, Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre. Entry is FREE for all visitors. The programme will include (on a firstcome-first-served basis):

• Mini Courses for adults and children by the gelato chefs of Carpigiani Gelato University on “What is Gelato?”. Participants will also be the first to hear more details about the 4-week program that teaches participants on how they can become successful gelato entrepreneurs.

• How to open a gelato shop? Educational workshops by Academia IFI

• Tonda Challenge by IFI @ PreGel tent

• Discover the secrets of gelato “Always FrescoTM” with PreGel

• Live cooking demonstration by Chef Dave Pynt, Burnt Ends, Singapore

Visitors will be invited to vote for their favourite flavour from the top 16 finalists with a Gelato Ticket, which can be purchased at the INFO POINT located in the Gelato World Tour Village. Each ticket is priced at SGD12 for 8 tasting portions in cones of 40grams each Visitors can participate in the Taste & Win draw where they stand to win fantastic prizes. The votes of the visitors and GWT’s Technical Jury will determine the top three flavours to represent the Asia Pacific region at the Grand Finale of the Gelato World Tour 2.0 to be held in Rimini, Italy in 2017.

To follow the stages of Gelato World Tour: www.gelatoworldtour.com. 

Announcing the arrival of the first Korean Tapas Bar in Singapore

Tuck in quiet Maju Avenue in the affluence Serangoon Garden estate, SYNC Korean Tapas Bar offers a cosy environment where groups can have a relaxed time chatting, and imbibe the Korean culture. The bar opened from 3pm till 12am daily. Plans to provide lunch and weekend brunch menu will follow.

The owners of SYNC, Brian and Lisa wanted to bring the Korean Tapas to everyone, making it affordable, without imposing a service charge. Their first outlet, a Korean bistro at Westgate, currently sits on the apex of Burpple’s hot 100 in October list.

The Korean-inspired tapas menu is the brainchild of both Consultant Chef Edwin Lau, 32 and Head Chef Calista Ong, 26. Both have extensive chef experience especially Edwin Lau. Calista Ong graduated from the Culinary Institute of America.

Here are dishes that I have tried.

Toppoki  S$9.90

Traditional rice cakes covered with sweet and spicy sauce. In addition, sausages added with melted cheese. Very soft and sauce is awesome. This is a mouth-watering dish.

Sogogi Jowl  S$10.90

Char-grilled beef jowl in hoba & garlic confit. The beef is tender and tasty. In addition, the garlic completes the full taste. How do you eat this? Simply pull out the stick and wrap the beef / garlic with sesame leaf and put it whole into your mouth. Highly recommended.

Ssam  $40.90

This dish is very similar to the Chinese cruise, belly pork with bun. But instead of belly pork, pork ribs replace it. The bone can be easily removed. Wrap the meat together with bun and vegetable. Simply Delicious.

Dak-Kang Jung S$9.90

Deep-fried sweet and spicy chicken bites, ricotta chili tempura. I find this dish slightly salty. Very similar in texture to the Chinese cruise, sweet and sour pork. It may appeal to others but this dish is not one of my favourites.

Samgyupsal S$10.90

Char-grilled pork belly with scallion salad and chili yuzu dressing. For a change of the usual salad dressing, let’s have a spicy salad. For those who love it hot, this will be a wonderful dish.

Crackling S$9.90

Crackling of umani cod chips. This is definitely my favourite dish among all the dishes tasted. Unlike the usual crackers, it is soft and tasty. You will not be disappointed with this dish. Remember to order this dish when you are at the bar. Another highly recommended.

Dak Gar-Bi  $39.90 ( 2-3 Shares )

Spicy chicken paella with onions, mushroom, cabbage, sausage, kimchi. Quite a large portion. It has many ingredients. You need to mix it well. There seems to be many flavours such as the sour taste from the lemon, spicy taste come from the chicken and kimchi. According to waitress, this is popular main dish.

Misugaru S$8.90

Misugaru lavacake, vanilla ice cream, strawberries & lime compote. A popular dessert. When you cut the cake, “lava” started to flow out. The concept is unique and refreshing. The cake combine with the “lava” sauce, produces a moist warm cake. Not forgetting the vanilla ice cream to cool you down from the “hot lava”.  

Hotteok S$8.90

Pan-fried chewy sweet Korean pancake with banana foster. Deliciously done pancake which was torched by the chef. You can smell the aroma when dish was served. Same goes for the banana.

Soju Mojito S$9.90

A minty lime drink. Very refreshing. Some may not like the minty taste. As the ice melts, it tastes much better.

Soju Peach Shot S$7.90

This is my favourite drink. Drink it together with a piece of peach does make a difference to your taste bud. Very satisfying… more please.

Bar Details

SYNC Korean Tapas Bar

12 Maju Ave, Serangoon Garden Estate

Opening hours : 3pm to 11pm (Sun to Thurs), 3pm to 12am (Fri, Sat, PH and eve of PH)

Phone Number :6282 9612

Facebook : facebook.com/syncbistro

Promotion

Daily 3pm to 6pm ( starting from 3 Nov to end Dec )

·        Free coffee/tea with any order of dessert

·        S$5.90 beer

·        $9.90 beer + Tapas of the day

3pm onwards, only on Weekends ( starting 8 Nov )

Family Set Meal at $63.90 with 4 Tapas and

1 Paella / Budae Jigae (U.P. $72.80)

A video montage was created for this food tasting event : Video

More photographs can be found at Flickr Photos

Opinion

In my opinion, this is modern Korean foods with a twist. Food design and probably fusion of various Korean, European cuisine and even some influences of Chinese cuisine make this bar a must try restaurant in Singapore. The decoration and environment were well coordinated with its food theme.

“It is only when you try it yourself; you will know the taste of good food.”   

Quote by Derrick See 2014