Themed dining experiences on trend in Singapore, where food is the starting point for a cultural journey via music, sensory experiences and hands-on cooking
- Jazz and coffee from Ethiopia, a culinary odyssey along the Spice Route from India to Greece – cultural dining events have become popular in Singapore
- That chimes with a World Food Travel Association report that predicts growth in tours focused on food and drink and dining experiences in the homes of locals
Dining “experiences” are becoming increasingly popular in Singapore, offering a chance to experience of an evening of food, themed music and decorations, along with storytelling or an informative talk about the meal’s historical or geographical connections. These extras can turn an ordinary lunch or dinner into an experience to be remembered.
This way of eating out probably began in Singapore sometime in 2017, says Nithiya Laila, a culinary anthropologist who founded Brunch Bandits, a culture-themed dining club.
One recent Brunch Bandits culture-themed supper explored Pan-Africanism, and included a traditional Ethiopian coffee drinking ceremony, where Laila showed guests how to use a jebena – the clay pot Ethiopians use to brew coffee.
Diners could sample cocktails inspired by Africa, created in collaboration with Tanglin Gin and the Spiffy Dapper bar, to complement servings of samaki wa kupaka – grilled tilapia in coconut sauce – a fish dish typically eaten in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The music accompanying the meal ranged from Nigerian funk to Ethiopian jazz.
For another brunch, with a South American theme, Laila is considering including demonstrations of capoeira, the dance-like martial art of Brazil.
