More chefs at this year’s World Gourmet Summit

SINGAPORE — A record number of countries are sending master chefs and culinary rising stars to the World Gourmet Summit (WGS), which is into its 21st edition.

The event will take place from March 20 to April 16, and its theme this year is “United Nations Gastronomic Assembly”, because of the number of countries participating.

Chefs from 16 countries will be in town for one-night-only stints at various restaurants and events. In previous years, that number ranged between 12 and 14.

Here for the first time will be Jarno Eggen of two-Michelin-starred De Groene Lantaarn in the Netherlands. He will present a five-course dinner at Mandarin Oriental Singapore’s Dolce Vita. The Dutch chef is known for haute and nouvelle cuisine, and received his second Michelin star last year.

Other chefs here for the first time at the WGS include Sri Lankan TV host and chef Dharshan Munidasa of Ministry Of Crab. His eatery in Colombo focuses on Sri Lankan seafood, and was opened by him along with cricketing legends Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara.

Pastry chef Kiriko Nakamura of one-Michelin-starred Tirpse in Japan, which offers desserts paired with sake, will also be in town.

By showcasing the diversity of cuisines the world has to offer, this year’s event aims to move into the future by honouring tradition. “If you look around today, the restaurants that are really successful are the ones that pay homage to tradition, but in a very modernised trend and palate,” said Peter A. Knipp, chief executive of Peter Knipp Holdings, who manages and curates the World Gourmet Summit event. “That is exactly what we are trying to achieve ... To me, this is really having arrived in the new generation.”

Countries represented for the first time include The Netherlands, Sri Lanka, Hungary and Cambodia. Knipp added that the event will be a “trip through the senses”.

One rising star to watch is the ambitious Daniel Ovadia, who owns an empire of restaurants in Mexico.

Lauded for his playful takes on traditional cuisine, he will present a “Mucho Mexico Dinner” at El Mero Mero. May Seah

For more information and a list of events, visit www.worldgourmetsummit.com