Table of contents for December 2016 in epicure

Despite being the world’s third largest producer of cacao beans, Indonesia wasn’t known for its chocolates until recent years, with an enterprising ensemble of multinational, ecologically committed chocolate purveyors tapping into the archipelago’s rich cacao supplies to produce an impressive range of delicious handmade raw chocolates. Compared to processed chocolates, raw chocolate provides multiple health benefits. Raw cacao is an antioxidant- and magnesium-rich superfood, a natural endorphin releaser, tastes more sublime than manufactured ‘heated’ chocolate, and is produced through sustainable farming methods, lowering the carbon footprint as a result. TASTES OF BALI’S ARTISANAL GOODNESS One of Bali’s first chocolate purveyors, Primo Chocolate Bali, established in 2008, was borne from Giuseppe Verdacchi’s passion to create the country’s finest and most sustainably produced chocolate. Their Kerobokan factory now produces single-origin organic and…

Nothing spells a Christmas feast mor e than a bountiful table laden with turkey, traditional delicacies, cookies and chocolate. In Japan, the table centr epiece is usually marked by a beautiful Christmas cake. You don’t have to make a trip to Japan though. Isetan Supermarket brings you special Japanese pr oducts and Christmas treats so that you won’ t have to fr et over the pr ep work in the kitchen. Exclusive to the stor e is the Roast Turkey with mushroom stuffing and cranberry sauce fr om WA Dining ($89 for approximately 4.5kg to 5.5kg before roasting); the unique Johan Christmas Stollen, and a fruity Châteraisé Pâtisserie Christmas Cake ($120), which uses fr esh cream from Hokkaido and the best seasonal strawberries and mangoes that are handpicked by…

You joined Allegrini in 1983 to help your father. What was that like? Traditionally in Italy, the boys would be involved in the family business. My father Giovanni was different, he wanted me to join the company along with my two brothers. Although he had no formal education, he was a good businessman who expanded the company and travelled to the U.S. to promote his wines. I learnt that making good wines is important, but good communication is just as important and that’s my role. What was a pivotal moment in your industry? There was a scandal in 1986 when an Italian winemaker mixed methanol into his wine, which caused the deaths of 23 people and many more were hospitalised. This led to important changes that affected the industry in…

epicure magazine reserves the rights to publicise the participant’s name, picture(s) and name of the restaurant in print and online. Only winners will be notified. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence on the decision will be entertained. TERMS AND CONDITIONS • SUBMISSIONS OF HOMEMADE OR HAWKER FOOD WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. • ENTRIES HAVE TO BE SHOT ON-SITE AT THE RESTAURANT. • OVERSEAS PARTICIPANTS ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE BUT THEY WILL NEED TO APPOINT A REPRESENTATIVE IN SINGAPORE FOR PRIZE COLLECTION ON THEIR BEHALF IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO DO SO THEMSELVES. • MANAGEMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO WITHDRAW OR REPLACE PRIZE OFFERS AT ANY TIME. • THIS CONTEST IS INITIATED FULLY BY EPICURE AND INDEPENDENT OF APPLE INC. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR THREE WINNERS OF NOVEMBER’S FOOD HUNTING…

Artistically designed and flawlessly crafted, Corum’s Golden Bridge Round has a number of interesting features, such as a crown at the base of the case instead of at the side, and bridge work at the sides of the movement that’s inspired by the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. $74,686 Counting style icon Kate Middleton as a fan, the Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch is a modern classic that suits any occasion. Rounded on the top and bottom — like a pebble — and featuring a unique integrated crown guard, the timepiece is particularly elegant in its latest pink gold and steel incarnation. From $14,200 Strikingly blue, De Bethune’s DB28 Kind of Blue is a striking timepiece that’s worth a space in any collection. To achieve the rich hue, all…

Denis Lucchi’s childhood was set in the picturesque surrounds of Toscalano Maderno, with lush peaks to the north and glittering Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, to the south. The little town in the Brescian countryside of Lombardy is usually home to less than 10,000 residents, but the population would swell by the thousands during the summer. It was during one such summer that love blossomed between Lucchi’s father and his German mother, who was holidaying near the lake. “It’s why I don’t look Italian!” laughs the lanky chef de cuisine of Italian restaurant Buona Terra. When Lucchi and his older brother were young, their paternal grandmother was their main caregiver. “She’s a typical nonna,” he recalls fondly. “Italian grandmothers like to wake up early to prepare for the…

Makes 4 Prep time 30 minutes Cook time 3 hours 45 minutes tomatoes Maldon sea salt 8 cherry tomatoes, stems kept on Sprinkle Maldon sea salt on tomatoes and roast at 180°C until they are just about to wrinkle. Remove stems from four tomatoes. mashed potatoes 4 medium-sized potatoes 50ml full-cream milk ½ tsp white pepper ½ tsp black pepper pinch nutmeg 40g salted butter 50ml double cream 1 tsp balsamic vinegar ½ tsp Maldon sea salt Peel and boil potatoes in salted water until they start to fall apart when picked up with a fork. Drain and leave in colander to steam off. Add milk, white and black pepper, and nutmeg to pan of potatoes and warm gently – do not boil. Mash potatoes into milk mixture. Add butter,…

Why settle for a boring water jug when you can have the new WMF Basic Water Decanter in Gold Design ($99)? Made of glass, handblown crystal and polished Cromargan 18/10 rust-free stainless steel, this elegant carafe is one to keep with you no matter where you are. The integrated strainer holds ice cubes and slices of lemon to make cleaning easier. The CloseUp stopper, a tilt mechanism, automatically closes the lid to prevent leaking. Available at all WMF counters at major departmental stores. Miele’s Vacuum Sealing Drawer (S$3,990) provides an almost complete vacuum with a mere tap of the button. Food stays fresher for longer and bags can be resealed. The touch controls combined with the Push2Open technology make it easy to operate even when your hands are full. Visit…

Lovers of prime USDA brisket, pork and beef ribs can revel in the opening of David Carter’s first permanent restaurant Smokestak. Designed to feel like the inside of a barbecue smoker, the space spans two floors and includes an outdoor terrace, and a hidden cellar-like basement bar. Sticking to a simple no-nonsense repertoire of street food, the menu features mainstays the likes of brisket bun and thick-cut pork ribs, new entrants such as crispy beef shin and anchovy mayo, coal-roasted sweet potato with smoked ricotta and bacon, smoked girolles and beef dripping toast, along with house-made bites such as pigtail and pork scratchings. For the perfect sweet ending, don’t forget the toasted oak ice cream with butterscotch and smoked sea salt, served in a cast iron dish straight from…

 Despite having been constructed some 102 years ago, there’s a stoical quality about the building – formerly known as the Adria Palace – that now houses The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest. It might have something to do with the 10 striking Pucisca marble statues symbolising the divisions of the insurance company that previously occupied its premises, or the fact that it used to serve as Budapest’s police headquarters from the late 1940s till 1997. However, at the turn of the century, hotel developers saw potential in the heritage building’s grand architecture. Hence, it was completely overhauled and transformed into the five-star Hotel Le Méridien Budapest in 2000. In April this year, after a four-month refurbishment, the hotel reopened under The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company with a brand new interior. The structure’s simple stone…

Other roasts available include the succulent Virginia Ham bone-in ($32.90 for 1.5kg and $90 for 4kg before roasting) from Tierney’s, as well as the Kagoshima Kur obuta pork roast with honey BBQ sauce ($8/100g), also fr om WADining. Those watching their calories can select from a wide variety of healthy ingredients available in line with Isetan Supermarket’s eat healthier theme, where most of the pr oducts come from Australia. On of fer are crackers, florentina coconut and macadamia bars, trail mix, oats muesli and pasta. Shoppers can also choose fr om an extensive range of traditional Japanese goschisou such as sushi and sashimi platters, sukiyaki and shabu-shabu to complete their merrymaking. A 10-day festive pr ogram from 16 to 25 December of fers cooking demonstrations by Australian Model Cook company…

On paper, Cannes-born Alain Llorca reads like an archetypal French chef. The 48-year-old regards Jacques Maximin, Dominique Le Stanc and Alain Ducasse as his mentors, and has garnered and maintained Michelin stars while helming Le Chantecler, Les Peintres and Moulin de Mougins. In November 2009, he opened his namesake venture, the now one Michelin-starred Hôtel Restaurant Alain Llorca, on the terraced hills of La Colle-sur-Loup. The hamlet of villas, of which the largest houses his kitchens and restaurant, is run with the help of his wife Virginie and brother Jean-Michel, who presides over the pastry kitchen. But in reality, nothing can prepare you for Llorca’s Provençal produce-driven cuisine – his dishes are characterised by their capacity to intrigue and surprise. Yet, they still retain undeniably regional flavours, plus influences from…

AMARONE Though not a fortified wine, Amarone is made with partially dried grapes, lending it a voluptuous, raisiny and high alcohol quality. Graziano Prà Amarone della Valpolicella 2010 is a worthy sip from this organic Veneto winemaker with a deep respect for the marlstone fossilised slopes. The full-bodied red made from 30% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 30% Rondinella and 10% Oseleta opens ripe and spicy, balanced with dark chocolate, orange peel and redcurrant in its silky robes. Pair with winter risotto, wild game and mature cheese. $111 from itwineclub.com MARSALA Elegance is personified in the Curatolo Arini Marsala Superiore Riserva Storica 1988, one of the most intense, complex wines to come out of this westernmost Sicilian region. Grillo and Cataratto make up the base wine, to which table wine, mistella (fresh…

The hunt is on for the next S.Pellegrino Y oung Chef. Organised by sparkling water purveyor S.Pellegrino, the annual competition pits brilliant fledgling chefs against one another to find who comes out on top. The tournament is open to pr ofessional chefs between 18 and 30 years old who have worked in a r estaurant full-time for at least one year as chef de cuisine, chef de partie or sou s chef. Phase One commences on 1 January and closes on 31 March 2017 – chefs raring to pr ove themselves can submit their online application and signatur e dish to www.finedininglovers.com, the online portal for food enthusiasts pr oudly endorsed by S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna. By Phase Two in April 2017, candidates ar e grouped into 20 regions according…

Nestled in a quiet corner of Dempsey Hill, the stylish La Ventana is Michelin-starred chef Carles Gaig’s first international venture outside of Spain and home to an extensive menu of classic Catalan dishes, some of which have been kept within his family for generations. So it was apt that executive chef Eduard Castellarnau Masa treated epicure’s masterclass guests to a sumptuous Christmas feast of Gaig’s family dishes. One such recipe was the rich Canelón Since 1869 – canelloni stuffed with foie gras, beef, pork and truffle cream. Cannelloni is a traditional Catalan dish that is widely eaten during the revered Feast of San Esteban in December. “Gaig’s grandmother was a pioneer in making cannelloni in Catalonia, and this particular recipe has been with their family since 1869, hence the name…

Estée Lauder Pleasures Glittering Globe solid perfume ($630) Estée Lauder releases limited edition solid perfume compacts every Christmas, and we’ve yet to see one we didn't love. This year, we’re coveting this squee-worthy sparkly standing globe housing the brand’s well-loved Pleasures scent. La Prairie Skin Caviar Essence-In-Lotion ($400) Designed for use after toner and before serum, this fluid-textured lotion is indeed “the missing link to ultimate skincare” as the brand so boldly claims. Made using caviar water — obtained through the steam distillation of skinnourishing caviar beads — this beauty elixir restores your complexion to the ideal pH level for optimal absorption of skincare products while instantly hydrating and firming it. YSL Beauty Sparkle Clash Multi-Use Palette ($129) One of the holiday season’s must-haves, this multi-tasking palette not only has…

SUPER LOCO CUSTOMS HOUSE #01-04 Customs House, 70 Collyer Quay. Tel: 6532 2090 The third venture of The Loco Group is a departure from their Robertson Quay outlet. It offers creative interpretations of Mexican cuisine with a healthier slant, and is sited in a great location with unobstructed views of the Marina Bay waterfront. But here’s a tip: request for a table away from the ‘air wall’ between the indoor and al fresco areas. I learnt the hard way that my food cooled too quickly, serviettes flew all over the place, and I had trouble hearing my companions over the constant gush of cool air. That aside, my meal at Super Lco Customs House started on a pleasant note with sweet, piquant elotes (corn on the cob, $7), and crispy…

Just last month, Champagne Henri Giraud became possibly the first Champagne producer to completely eliminate the use of stainless steel ageing. Instead, the annual production of the esteemed maison – family owned and operated since 1625 – will be aged in Argonne oak barrel and terracotta amphora. At 64, the distinguished chief executive officer and 12th generation owner Claude Giraud is not ready to sit back even if both his daughters are now at the day-to-day helm. “I’ve been vinifying grapes for 45 years,” he explains via a translator during our tête-à-tête at Waku Ghin in Singapore, adding on jovially, “When I first started working for my father Henri around 1972, I had the peculiar position of assistant – with no pay!” Despite media reports describing him as reserved, Claude…

festive fare This holiday cocktail was inspired by the holiday traditions of Puerto Rico. Known as El Dia de Reyes (Three Kings Day), this holiday represents the height of the Christmas season. It combines the flavours of the classic eggnog style drink, Coquito, with the Christmas coconut custard dish, Majarete.  EL DIA DE REYES Serves 6 360ml homemade spiced banana milk 150ml sweetened condensed milk 360ml coconut milk 270ml Puerto Rican rum 4 large egg yolks vanilla, scraped from 1 vanilla pod 0.5g cinnamon, 0.25g nutmeg (topping) garnish fresh currants 2 sour orange leaves • Blend all ingredients, aside from topping and garnish, with a handful of ice cubes. Pour into Irish coffee mugs and top with grated cinnamon and nutmeg. Garnish with 3 currants and 2 sour orange leaves.…

SECRETS FINE FOOD For those who are passionate about fine foods and the artisans who help create them, owner-founder Stephanie Duriez personally meets each of her suppliers before directly importing their products to Singapore, cutting out any middlemen. Traditionally produced and cultivated on the best terroirs of Europe without modernday farm pollutants, the products offered are of the best possible pedigree, quality and taste. ROUGIÉ DUCK FOIE GRAS Flash-frozen slices of raw duck foie gras ($33) — ideal for pan-frying — and whole duck half-cooked foie gras ($63/180g) make for a decadent feast LOCH FYNE CLASSIC SMOKED SALMON Premium Scottish smoked salmon dry-cured for 24 hours using fine sea salt and unrefined brown sugar, washed down with fresh spring water and smoked with oak chips for 12 to 15 hours…

A lavish Christmas feast would be incomplete without an elegantly set dinner table. Celebrating the art of cooking, din ing and drinking for more than 160 years, WMF’s latest range of functional and contemporarily designed tablewar e, cutlery and drinkware sets the perfect scene for a stylish festive gathering. Using innovative and adaptive technologies such as Cromargan protect, WMF creations stay more resistant to scratches than normal stainless steel, thus minimising signs of wear and tear. Polished surfaces remain shiny, matte finishes stays matte, and cutlery look pristine even after years of intense use and fr equent dishwasher cleaning. And because small details matter, there’s something just for kids too. WMF has been manufacturing childr en’s cutlery for 125 years accor ding to the size and pr oportions of little…

Few cities in Vietnam can match the southern metropolis for its vibrant energy and seemingly endless selection of foodie spots catering to every taste imaginable. With its rapid urbanisation, Big Apple attitude, growing interest in big and bold flavours, and a youthful population always on the lookout for the next hip spot, you begin to see why Ho Chi Minh City is the hipster foodie’s dream. Here’s the pick of the best foodie stop-offs the city has to offer. SNUFFBOX Let’s face it: Few places do justice to Prohibition-era glitz and glam better than New York. Snuffbox in Ho Chi Minh City, however, is definitely heading in that direction. Starting on a very strong note, its existence is completely concealed from the street. Tucked discreetly in a dark, dingy, dilapidated…

Christmas usually conjures up an image of a frosty snow-white backdrop, a glittering Christmas tree, snugly bundled up carollers and a warm fireplace. The entire affair is heavily scented with the comforting and tantalising aromas of hot chocolate and freshly baked goodies wafting through the cold air. Some of you will be in the midst of finalising your travel plans to a cold-climate destination and looking forward to some quality downtime with family and loved ones. As you gloss through the pages of our December issue brimming with lavish eats and festive treats from all around the world, I’ll be spending a different kind of Christmas – a warm Christmas Down Under. This year probably marks my 10th year of Christmas celebrations in Perth, given that my in-laws live there…

As the festive season draws near , it’s comforting to know that your dining needs can be taken car e of in one place. At Ser enity Spanish Bar & Restaurant, all you have to do is gather your loved ones and let the r estaurant do the r est, whether you pr efer to dine-in or entertain at home. Opened since 2008, Ser enity Spanish Bar & Restaurant exudes a vibrant vibe that invites you to linger over its wide menu of Spanish and Mediterranean favourites. The food leaves an equally lasting impr ession too, especially the famous Spanish suckling pig that’s so tender, the waiters deftly slice it up with a plate and not a knife. However, don’t forget to explore many mor e dishes for your Christmas…