Christmas is the busiest time of the year for chefs — while we get to enjoy wining and dining with our loved ones, their time is spent in the kitchen making sure we get to have that experience.
This year, we turn the spotlight on these four Singapore-based chefs helming Michelin-starred restaurants, to ask them what their favourite festive dish is. Here's what they shared:
This year, we turn the spotlight on these four Singapore-based chefs helming Michelin-starred restaurants, to ask them what their favourite festive dish is. Here's what they shared:
Sam Aisbett
Chef-owner, one Michelin-starred Whitegrass
Favourite festive dish: Trifle
"I love it because it reminds me of Christmas with my family. My mum would make it every year, and it's so tasty! I love it best with heaps of custard, jelly and plenty of fresh berries. And it must always have a lot of alcohol. I mean, a lot. Whisky, port, rum, and raspberry liquor — it's a must!"
Chef-owner, one Michelin-starred Whitegrass
Favourite festive dish: Trifle
"I love it because it reminds me of Christmas with my family. My mum would make it every year, and it's so tasty! I love it best with heaps of custard, jelly and plenty of fresh berries. And it must always have a lot of alcohol. I mean, a lot. Whisky, port, rum, and raspberry liquor — it's a must!"
Rishi Naleendra
Chef-owner, one Michelin-starred Cheek by Jowl
Favourite festive dish: Panettone
"I love mine with butter. I didn't grow up eating panettone (there wasn't this treat in Sri Lanka) but I first tried it in Australia and felt it was like a cross between a brioche and a fruit cake. I love everything about it, the texture, the flavour and the sweetness. The spices and fruits in it remind me of Christmas."
Chef-owner, one Michelin-starred Cheek by Jowl
Favourite festive dish: Panettone
"I love mine with butter. I didn't grow up eating panettone (there wasn't this treat in Sri Lanka) but I first tried it in Australia and felt it was like a cross between a brioche and a fruit cake. I love everything about it, the texture, the flavour and the sweetness. The spices and fruits in it remind me of Christmas."
Sun Kim
Chef-owner, one Michelin-starred Meta restaurant
Favourite festive dish: Tteok Guk (Korean rice cake soup)
"We don't actually celebrate Christmas in Korea, but we will have a big celebration for the new year. My mum would cook this dish and we would all sit down together and enjoy it as breakfast, early in the morning. It's a very traditional Korean dish and brings me fond memories of my family and childhood. Now, I'll need to cook it for my wife and restaurant staff for this upcoming new year in Singapore!"
Chef-owner, one Michelin-starred Meta restaurant
Favourite festive dish: Tteok Guk (Korean rice cake soup)
"We don't actually celebrate Christmas in Korea, but we will have a big celebration for the new year. My mum would cook this dish and we would all sit down together and enjoy it as breakfast, early in the morning. It's a very traditional Korean dish and brings me fond memories of my family and childhood. Now, I'll need to cook it for my wife and restaurant staff for this upcoming new year in Singapore!"
Liu Ching Hai
Executive Chinese Chef, one Michelin-starred Summer Palace
Favourite festive dish: Claypot rice
"I especially love the traditional one with assorted meats. As Christmas is during winter season, we used to have claypot rice in Hong Kong during this time of the year. To me, it's comfort food! A simple dish but so full of flavour. Can never go wrong with this because everyone in the family loves it!"
Executive Chinese Chef, one Michelin-starred Summer Palace
Favourite festive dish: Claypot rice
"I especially love the traditional one with assorted meats. As Christmas is during winter season, we used to have claypot rice in Hong Kong during this time of the year. To me, it's comfort food! A simple dish but so full of flavour. Can never go wrong with this because everyone in the family loves it!"
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