KITA Food Festival returns to Singapore this March
Singaporeans, get ready. The KITA Food Festival is arriving in the Lion City from March 12 to 17. Featuring 12 diverse events, this festival showcases the vibrant culinary heritage of Southeast Asia.
Following its successful run at The Projector in Golden Mile Tower in October 2023, the KITA Food Festival returns to Singapore.
"The future of KITA lies in its ability to adapt and evolve, and the move to Singapore as a hub represents an exciting new chapter. It’s not just about curating exceptional dining experiences but fostering meaningful conversations that resonate beyond the kitchen," Darren Teoh, co-founder of KITA Food Festival and chef-patron of Malaysia's two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Dewakan.
"KITA has always been about community, sustainability, and the narratives that define our food. By embracing this next step, we’re creating opportunities to explore fresh perspectives, connect diverse voices, and inspire change—not just within the industry but across the wider community," he continued.
As with previous iterations, the Singapore Weekender will feature world-class chefs and culinary talents, showcasing their skills through four-hand dinners, kitchen takeovers, and culminating in a grand Big Barbecue finale.
Award-winning Chef Kelvin Cheung of Jun's in Dubai will join Eugene See of Birds of a Feather in Singapore for a four-hands dinner.
Two Michelin-starred Chef Syrco Bakker from Syrco Base in Bali will be hosting a kitchen takeover at 1880, while Japan's Chef Keiko Kuwakino from Satoyama Jujo will be presenting her artistry at PO in The Warehouse Hotel, showcasing her unique approach to food inspired by Ayurvedic philosophy.
Those who would like to try a six-course West African-inspired feast can head to Tamba as Brian Cole of Hearth Restaurant & Lounge (Perth) will be doing a takeover.
The Big Barbecue, featuring dishes from chefs Ricardo Allen (Camp Caribbean), Adam Penney (Carnaby), Linn Yong (Limau and Linen), Taiki Rattanapong (Homburg), and Waymann Cheong (Lucky Hole), will be held at Gourmet Park Kampong Bugis.
One of the highlights (and a first for KITA) is the Future of Food seminars and symposium.
The "Future of Food" seminar series, developed in partnership with Synthesis Partners and supported by Be WTR, will explore critical issues in food security and sustainability. Past seminars were held on Jan. 20, with two more coming on Feb. 10 and 24, featuring insights from industry experts.
The culminating symposium on March 17 will feature a diverse range of industry leaders as speakers. Joxe Mari Aizega, General Manager at the Basque Culinary Center, will bring insights from the forefront of culinary education. Eelke Plasmeijer, co-founder of Locavore Nxt, will share his experience in sustainable and innovative restaurant concepts. Helianti Hilam, a renowned social entrepreneur, will discuss her work empowering Indonesian farmers through JAVARA. Matthew Evans, a celebrated Australian chef and farmer, will offer valuable perspectives on sustainable agriculture and food systems. Finally, Dalia Adler from Eat Vow will shed light on the future of food with insights into cell-cultured meat technology.
Last September 2024, KITA headed to Kuala Lumpur for a five-day gathering of celebrated chefs and food innovators. The goal, co-founder LeisaTyler said, was to highlight the chefs' unique perspectives and contributions to the culinary world.
“While the chefs and culinary people we brought in do have accolades, our focus was more on what they do as chefs and culinary leaders, and how that ties into our narrative,” Tyler told PhilSTAR L!fe. “That brought a new perspective to the table, a richer fabric, so to speak.”
For ticket information and the full lineup of events, visit www.kitafoodfestival.com.
