SINGAPORE — It’s time to talk about my favourite thing in the world — food!

Well, food reviews actually.

Day Three (Sunday) of the Singapore Writers Festival had me attending a rather “light-hearted” panel discussion featuring three of Singapore’s well-known food writers — KF Seetoh, Maureen Ow (better known as Miss Tam Chiak) and Wong Ah Yoke.

The discussion had the panel sharing the way they write reviews across the different platforms. The Straits Times food critic Wong shared that he writes with a reader in mind, while food blogger Ow said that it is not so much about reviews or serious food criticism, but rather, a sharing session with readers.

Seetoh’s point about how food seems to taste better when you know the story, only made me hungry when he talked about fishball noodles (Mee Pok Tah) and how these fishballs from a particular stall is carefully made to have a “soft resilience”.

After which, there was a pause and Seetoh asked the audience, “You want to go already right?” (Well, duh!)

Moderator Aun Koh brought up a question on behalf of aspiring food writers: How do you begin and what does it take for someone to have “authority” to give food reviews?

“I think you just learn through experience because there’s no course to take to learn to be a food critic. You need to know a little bit about food, you need to know the basics of cooking — that’s about it,” said Wong, who added that the respect as a food critic comes from the readers.

The three also raised a point about honesty in reviews and that one should keep in mind that they are not writing to please the chef or the restaurant

“You’ve got to have passion. But translating your passion, your desire into words — I think frankness and honesty is something people can relate to,” said Seetoh.

“If you don’t like the food, you don’t like the restaurant, you have to say it,” added Ow.

Interesting sneaks on food reviews from the panel were also shared — from picking the dish to review to reactions after the reviews come out. Have you ever wondered how prominent food critics write food reviews without any “special” service that might affect their judgement?

The answer: Aside from coming down to the restaurant unannounced, they use false names. No kidding.

“Even if I make phone calls to reserve a table, I usually use (a) false name. And the name actually changes most of the time. So sometimes I actually have problems remembering what names I use,” shared Wong.

Hey, if only disguises are used on top of the fake names, they can very well add “spy” on their resume.

Speaking of spies, the second panel I attended mentioned this a couple of times. It was a rather interesting discussion about something I personally find fascinating to read — dystopia. Moderated by Stephen McCarty, the panel discussion saw Audrey Chin, Kim Young-ha and Nadeem Aslam discussing about protected conflicts.

I have to admit, this particular panel has been the most interesting for me so far and that the hour-long panel was not long enough.

Each of the authors had written about conflicts that were “close” to them. Aslam, who was born in Pakistan, mentioned the “dystopian reality” of the world (Taliban, Al Qaeda), while Chin talked about a Vietnamese man’s struggle to escape a life torn apart by war. Her latest book, As The Heart Bones Break, is based on her experience in relation to the Vietnamese diaspora.

Korean writer Kim noted that his book, Your Republic Is Calling You, which is about a North Korean spy, is a literary way to take a look into life in South Korea—and the stress that comes with it. Kim also graciously answered curious questions and the tensions between the South and the North.

“Do you know what Kim Jong-il’s favourite movie is? Braveheart,” said Kim. (Admit it, you laughed as well.)

There was also a discussion about whether it was possible for safe and functioning societies to plunge into dystopia.

Aslam shared a story about how a monkey was appointed to be a king’s bodyguard. The monkey, noticing an ant crawling on the king’s chest, picks up a knife to kill the ant and in turn, kills the king.

“So we need to make sure that these people, who we think are our bodyguards, that none of them are monkeys,” warned Nadeem. (Yes it’s funny, but you get his point.) The point by the panel on how dystopia is “hidden” but already “with us” definitely made me stop and think for a while.

Aslam also read an excerpt of his latest book The Blind Man’s Garden and I found a particular portion quite impactful:

“Rohan had given a small laugh to comfort him and asked ‘But have you ever heard a story in which the evil person triumphs at the end?’

“The boy thought for a while before replying. ‘No,’ he said. ‘But before they lose, they harm the good people. That is what I’m afraid of.’”

I still get the chills as I type this.

The Singapore Writers Festival 2013 runs until Nov 10. For details, visit http://www.singaporewritersfestival.com. Check out the buzz on the local arts scene, including updates on SWF at http://www.todayonline.com/artlanders.