Hai Tien Lo presents artisanal rice dumplings for Dragon Boat Festival 2026

This Dragon Boat Festival, Hai Tien Lo presents a luxurious selection of traditional rice  dumplings handcrafted by Executive Chinese Chef Edden Yap and his culinary team. 

Available until 19 June 2026, the dumplings include Hai Tien Lo’s latest creation, the savoury pork knuckle and peanut rice dumpling (S$22 nett), which is complemented by notes of chestnut and dried mushroom.Meanwhile, the signature black glutinous (pulut hitam) Nyonya rice dumpling (S$22 nett) combines black and white glutinous rice with minced pork belly and winter melon. 

Source: Hai Tien Lo. The Dragon Boat Festival rice dumpling collection for 2026.

Hai Tien Lo's Hokkien rice dumpling with braised pork belly and salted egg yolk (S$18 nett) is a fan favourite. Filled with chestnut, mushroom, and premium glutinous rice, this dumpling promises a rich and satisfying bite. For those seeking a sweeter option, the Teochew rice dumpling (S$15 nett), inspired by the traditional Teochew dessert, orh nee, is filled with yam paste, coconut cream, sweet corn, chestnut, and ginkgo nut.

For something even more special, the Hai Tien Lo Supreme rice dumpling (S$45 nett) is filled with pork belly, 12-head whole abalone, roasted duck, whole dried scallop, Chinese sausage, salted egg yolk, chestnut, yellow mung bean, lotus seed, and glutinous rice.

Two rice dumpling sets have been curated for gifting. The Classic Rice Dumplings Set ($118 nett) includes:

• Two Hokkien rice dumplings with pork and salted egg yolk 
• Two savoury pork knuckle and peanut rice dumplings 
• Two Teochew rice dumplings with yam paste, chestnut, sweet corn, and ginkgo nut 
• A bottle of sweet and sour spicy bean paste sauce

The Premium Rice Dumplings Set (S$158 nett) includes: 

• One Hai Tien Lo Supreme rice dumpling 
• One savoury pork knuckle and peanut rice dumpling 
• Two black glutinous Nyonya rice dumplings 
• Two Teochew rice dumplings with yam paste, chestnut, sweet corn, and ginkgo nut 
• A bottle of Hai Tien Lo signature homemade XO chilli sauce

Details

View the Dragon Boat Festival Rice Dumpling brochure and order form at https://www.panpacific.com/content/dam/pphg-revamp/en/ppsin/pphg2-0/offers/dragon-boat-festival-2026/ppsin_offer_rice_dumpling_brochure_2026.pdf.

To order, please call +65 6826 8240, email specialevents.ppsin@panpacific.com, or visit panpacificsingapore.oddle.me till 19 June 2026. 

Indulge in discounts of up to 25% off until 19 June 2026. A complimentary thermal bag is provided for à la carte orders with a minimum spend of S$80 nett after discount.

Have your order delivered to your doorstep at S$60 nett per location, or opt for self-collection at Pacific Emporium’s deli counter located on Level 1 of Pan Pacific Singapore, from 20 May until 19 June 2026, from 10 am to 8 pm. 

Complimentary island-wide delivery is available with a minimum spending of S$300 nett. 

Hashtags: #PanPacificSingapore, #HaiTienLoSG, #ShareYourMoments

*Prices quoted are in Singapore dollars, and are inclusive of prevailing government taxes.  

Mark your calendars for these events in Abu Dhabi

 Abu Dhabi Calendar , a list of all the upcoming events in Abu Dhabi, has unveiled events for the 2025-2026 season. 
 

Source: Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism. The Traditional Handicrafts Festival will offer experiences that showcase heritage, culture and creativity.

This year's Abu Dhabi Calendar features highlights like the NBA Abu Dhabi Games; Saudi singer, actor and composer Abdul Majeed Abdullah; the winter experience Liwa International Festival; and the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025.

Kickstarting the action are back-to-back bouts from UAE Warriors 64, bringing mixed martial arts (MMA) to the capital. At the same time, culture-seekers can explore Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire, Louvre Abu Dhabi's main exhibition of the season. Running until January, it shines a light on the craftsmanship of one of the Islamic world's most influential dynasties – making it a must-visit cultural highlight. 

The excitement builds in October as global stars and regional legends take the stage from Smashing Pumpkins and Andre Rieu to Abdul Majeed Abdullah – with American comedian and actor Sebastian Maniscalco adding some homour to the event lineup. 

The NBA Abu Dhabi Games presented by ADQ will return together with basketball festival NBA District, bringing basketball action and exciting fan moments, alongside a combat sports schedule that includes Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, mixed martial arts fight UFC 321 and UFC ancillary events such as the Open Workouts, Official Press Conference, and Ceremonial Weigh Ins. 

Culture gets the limelight with Sheikh Zayed Festival and cultural centre Bait Al Oud's Strings Concert as well as exhibitions like Golden Ink: A Journey through Arabic and Islamic Manuscripts, annual exhibition and competition Art Here 2025 and Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim: Two Clouds in the Night Sky, a solo exhibition celebrating the work of pioneer Emirati artist Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim.

In November, concerts by Enrique Iglesias and Travis Scott headline the month, while foodies can indulge in culinary experiences at Michelin Guide Food Festival Abu Dhabi, Taste of Abu Dhabi and Open Fire Food Festival.

Cultural highlights include the Traditional Handicrafts Festival, Maritime Heritage Festival, Sounds of UAE, Abu Dhabi Art and Manar Abu Dhabi, all of which offer experiences that showcase heritage, culture, and creativity. Beetlejuice The Musical is also set to take over Etihad Arena this month.

The year draws to a close with music legends Rod Stewart and Arijit Singh lighting up Abu Dhabi stages, accompanied by the return of Saadiyat Nights, which brings star-studded concerts outdoors. Ludovico Einaudi and Lewis Capaldi will add both classical brilliance and soulful melodies to the month's lineup. 

F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 is set to provide full-throttle excitement, while festivals like Liwa Village, a part of the annual Liwa International Festival, and Mother of the Nation transform Al Dhafra Region, Al Ain Region and Abu Dhabi City into hubs of heritage and creativity, live music and high-energy adventures. 

More events will be announced as the 2025-2026 season unfolds. 

Hashtags: #InAbuDhabi, #UFCAbuDhabi 

Hear from Jack White, Air, St. Vincent, Jamie xx, Deca Joins and Creepy Nuts at Clockenflap 2024

Clockenflap, Hong Kong’s biggest international outdoor music and arts festival, has shared the 1st wave of acts for this year’s event. The three-day event at Central Harbourfront will run from November 29 to December 1, 2024.

Following on from back-to-back sold-out editions in March and December 2023, the festival’s 14th edition will host a lineup topped by maverick rock icon and Sunday night headliner Jack White, legendary French electronic duo and Friday night headliners Air, acclaimed US singer-songwriter St Vincent, trailblazing UK DJ/producer Jamie xx, and British psychedelic pop-rockers Glass Animals. Details of the Saturday night headliner will be announced later.

The 2024 Clockenflap will once again feature an outdoor environment with multiple stages, top-quality F&B outlets, and must-see international, regional and local acts.

Source: Clockenflap. Clockenflap poster.

Must-sees

Fresh from the release of his 6th solo album, the one-and-only Jack White makes his long-awaited Hong Kong debut on Sunday night. Performing their 1998 debut, retro-futuristic masterpiece Moon Safari in entirety, French duo Air, which were at the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics, will headline on Friday. St Vincent is expected to be a big draw on Saturday, with a set that includes this year’s album All Born Screaming.

Trendsetters

Clockenflap is known for bringing the hottest names in music to Hong Kong, and this year is no different. One-third of Mercury Prize-winning British indie act The xx, DJ/producer Jamie xx, makes his Clockenflap debut hot on the heels of the release of his 3rd album, In Waves. Best-known for their viral megahit Heat Waves, British psychedelic pop-rockers Glass Animals arrive on the back of their 4th album, I Love You So F***ing Much. Atlanta DJ/producer Porter Robinson is jetting in to perform a high-energy live set featuring electro house and synth-pop, while genre-bending Los Angeles act Fiji Blue will captivate with a fusion of indie pop, electronica, and R&B.

The best of Japan

Meet magnetic hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts, J-Pop vocalist yama, post-rock/math rock masters toe, girl group Sakurazaka46 and indie-pop band Cody・Lee(李).

Indie trailblazers

Canadian indie-rockers Mother Mother arrive with their 9th album, Grief Chapter, while upbeat Japanese-Australian four-piece Last Dinosaurs are touring their 5th album, Kyoryu. Other indie highlights include LA duo Bubble Tea and Cigarettes, Xi’an post-punk band FAZI, London dance-punk dynamos Fat Dog, Hong Kong post-hardcore act An Id Signal and Dutch psychedelic rockers YĪN YĪN.

Regional highlights

Showcasing Taiwan’s music scene are indie favourites Deca Joins, Kaohsiung rockers Gigantic Roar and alternative rockers JADE. Fans will also get the chance to enjoy the sounds of Thai singer-songwriter Violette Wautier and South Korean guitar princess MEMI.

Electronic acts

Canadian DJ/producer A-Trak is known for serving up a blend of electro and hip-hop, and Australia’s Partiboi69's brand of ghetto house is guaranteed to get the party started. Yung Singh brings the sound of the UK new Asian underground, while Dave Clarke will demonstrate why he’s known as The Baron of Techno. There will be a special DJ and spandex set by ROBOT, where Clockenflap co-founders Jay and Mike will be welcoming Bobby Parsley to celebrate ROBOT's 25th anniversary.

Other acts confirmed to perform include Hong Kong neo-jazz act R.O.O.T and festival favourites Ibrahim Maalouf & the Trumpets of Michel-Ange.

Details

Hang Seng Credit Card Priority Booking begins at 11 am on September 24. Tickets will go on general sale at 11 am on September 27. Ticket prices remain the same as December 2023, with three-day General Admission tickets at HK$1,990 and single-day General Admission tickets at HK$1,280.

Tickets can be purchased at the official ticketing platform, Ticketflap, at https://www.ticketflap.com.

Taste The World Dining Series aims to show how food is a universal language

Private travel specialist Gourmet Trails has launched the inaugural Taste The World dining series, running from 4-26 May 2024. The festival demonstrates how food truly transcends boundaries and acts as a conduit for understanding and common purpose.

Taste The World highlights the essence of world cuisines in partnership with Appetite, Hashida, CURE, Canchita, Esquina, Ummi Beirut, and ANJU. Profits from the event will go towards the United Nations World Food Programme.

Opening Day Special: Dialogue Over A Lunch Journey with Michelin-starred Chef Ivan Brehm and Gourmet Trails founder Pamela Tan

Chef Brehm of Nouri and Appetite, known for his ‘crossroads’ cooking, will be hosting a lunch journey together with Tan on 4 May 2024. Join a group of no more than 14 guests and enjoy three snacks, four courses, dessert, and a choice of drink (S$300/pax).

Taste The World: Hashida

Source: Gourmet Trails. Preparing sushi at Hashida.

Dive into an unorthodox exploration of Japanese cuisine at Hashida, led by celebrity chef Kenjiro ‘Hatch’ Hashida. Chef Hashida brings to the table an interpretation of sushi omakase that is deeply rooted in personal reflection and uninhibited artistic expression.

Lunch and dinner sessions are available at S$220 and S$450 each respectively. Available on 10 May and 16 May for dinner service, and on 15 May and 18 May for lunch.

Taste The World: CURE

Explore the depths of modern Irish cuisine at CURE, from its produce to its history, through a meal. Michelin-starred chef Andrew Walsh offers variations of his seasonal menu on 9 May for dinner service (S$300 each) and on 10 and 11 May for lunch (S$220 each).

Taste The World: Canchita

Chef couple Daniel and Tamara Chavez will bring together the best of Peruvian and Mexican flavours in a six-course dinner, complete with a demonstration of ceviche preparation - a signature dish in Peru - and mole poblano (a Mexican stew) at Canchita, Dempsey Hill. Available on 4 May and 23 May for dinner service at 7.00pm ($220/pax).

Taste The World: ESQUINA

A six-course dinner awaits guests at ESQUINA, led by Barcelona-born chef Carlos Montobbio. The one-night-only event includes a Gran Reserva and Reserva Especial worth S$600 a bottle. Available on 15 May at 7 pm (S$220 per person, including wine pairing).

Taste The World: UMMI Beirut

At UMMI Beirut, where guests will be treated to a time-limited set menu. Helmed by Michelin-starred chef Greg Malouf and his protégé chef Ali Assaf, UMMI will serve elevated classics in a glamorous setting that will transport guests to the city of Beirut. 

Start with a welcome drink before being served six hot/cold mezze and freshly-made Lebanese bread. Guests will be able to select their choice of main before ending the meal with UMMI’s signature kunafeh dessert. Available from 4-26 May for dinner service at S$180 each.

Taste The World: ANJU

In Tanjong Pagar, ANJU brings modern Korean flavours to guests with a four-course dinner, including a dish created especially for Taste The World guests. Available on 7 May for a minimum of two diners.

Details

Tickets for Taste The World range from S$180 to S$450. Purchase at https://tastetheworld.sg/

Restaurant	Date / Time	Ticket price
Appetite (Crossroads cuisine)	4 May, 12 pm	Lunch S$300
Hashida (Japanese sushi omakase)	15 May, 12 pm 18 May, 12 pm	Lunch S$220
	10 May, 7 pm 16 May, 7 pm	Dinner S$450
CURE (Irish fine dining)	10 May, 12 pm 11 May, 12 pm	Lunch S$220
	9 May, 7 pm	Dinner S$300
Canchita (Peruvian and Mexican with chef demonstrations)	4 May, 7 pm 23 May, 7 pm	Dinner S$220
Esquina (Spanish dinner)	15 May, 7 pm	Dinner S$220
Ummi Beirut (Lebanese gourmet casual)	4-26 May, flexible ticket	Dinner S$180
ANJU (Korean gourmet casual)	7 May, 7 pm	Dinner S$180 each (minimum two diners)

18th All That Matters to run from 11-13 September 2023

All That Matters, the gateway to Asia’s music, sports, gaming, Digital, marketing, Web3 and entertainment industries, returns for its 18th edition from 11 to 13 September at the Hilton Singapore Orchard.

Source: All That Matters organisers. Event poster.

Conference by day and music festival by night, attendees from major labels to sports leaders, distributors, publishers and more, will have the opportunity to rub shoulders with global brands and engage in discussions about the industry's hottest topics, from AI, sustainability, emerging technologies, Web3, to the rise of women’s sports and developments in the creator economy.

Programming highlights

The conference segment of All That Matters 2023 will comprise six tracks – music, gaming, sports, digital, marketing and Web3, featuring industry leaders across more than 60 keynote sessions and panel discussions, as well as the Learning Matters Academy. Key sessions include:

MUSIC | Hip Hop at 50 with Russell Simmons & Cordell Broadus 

Wednesday, 13 September, 5:30 pm – 6 pm

Cordell Broadus, Snoop Dogg's son, will host a conversation on the past, present, and future of Hip Hop. Listen to the ups and downs of his career and how the world of culture is evolving.

GAMING | Gaming and Esports Matters: Unveiling the Future of Interactive Entertainment 

Tuesday, 12 September, 11:20 am – 12 pm

E-sports experts will explore the latest trends, innovations, and opportunities in this rapidly evolving world of gaming.

SPORTS | Spotlight on the FIFA Women's World Cup

Monday, 11 September, 12 pm – 12:30 pm

Jane Fernandez, COO Australia of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, will lead the conversation on what it takes to host one of the world’s largest international sporting events.

DIGITAL | The Gateway FROM Asia: The Crucial Role of Asian Actors and Artists in Global Entertainment 

Tuesday, 12 September, 5 pm – 5:30 pm

This session brings together Adele Lim, co-writer of Crazy Rich Asians, and Bing Chen, CEO of Gold House, to celebrate the contributions of Asian actors and artists to the entertainment industry on a global scale. 

From Hollywood blockbusters to international music sensations, this session showcases the immense importance of Asian talent in shaping narratives, promoting cultural diversity, and captivating audiences worldwide. Gold House is a non-profit which promotes the interests of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent.

MARKETING | AI...Want it That Way?

Monday, 11 September, 2:30 pm – 3 pm

Featuring Candina Weston, Ex-Microsoft CMO and specialist in marketing, AI and transformation, the session will look at how generative AI is creating impacts and new opportunities in marketing, communications, sales and customer experience.

WEB3 | Learnings From First-Mover Brands In Web3

Monday, 11 September, 2:30 pm – 3 pm

Discover the groundbreaking insights and strategies adopted by pioneering brands in the Web3 space. Explore their successes, challenges, and lessons learned as they embrace decentralised technologies and reshape their industries.

Jasper Donat, Co-Founder and CEO of Branded, producer of the event, said: “This year, All That Matters is coming of age with a spectacular speaker lineup. Committed to our six conference tracks, we continue to delve deep into each industry's core and what truly matters within it. It is hard to overlook the riveting impact of AI, brand partnerships, the online creator economy, Web3 and many more transformative forces which are shaping our industry faster than ever. Our goal is to connect, inform, inspire and spark vital conversations among industry leaders, empowering them to shape the future of their industries and the world at large.”

All That Matters features more than 100 speakers from 90 companies, including:

· Jane Fernandez – COO Australia, FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

· Adele Lim – Writer-Director, 100 Tigers Productions, best known for co-writing Crazy Rich Asians

· Yat Siu – Co-founder and Executive Chairman, Animoca Brands

· Gautam Anand – VP YouTube APAC, Google

· Alexis Crowell – VP, Intel Technology Asia

· Danny Tang – Co-Founder, CFO and Head of Global Strategy Office, VSPO, an e-sports tournament operator

· Paul Smith – MD, YouTube Music, APAC, Google

· Megan West – Director, Music Label Partnerships, Meta

· Sylvain Delange – MD APAC, Believe Music SEA

· Deborah Mei – Co-Founder & Partner, The Raine Group, an investment bank

· Eliah Seton – CEO, SoundCloud

· Troy Carter – CEO and Founder, Venice Music

· Paul J. Foster – CEO, Global Esports Federation

· Jonathan Dworkin – EVP, Digital Business Development & Strategy, Universal Music Group

· Cordell Broadus – Founder, Champ Medici Group (Snoop Dogg’s son) with Russell Simmons, Co-founder, Def Jam, a record label

· Dennis Perez – Digital Marketing, Media and Commerce (DMC) Lead, Unilever Beauty & Wellbeing Southeast Asia

· Nichol David – Founder, Nichol David Organisation, and the longest reigning World No. 1 squash player

· Bing Chen – Founder & CEO, Gold House, AU Holdings

· Alisha Outridge – Chief Technology & Product Officer, TuneCore

· Joseph Hadley – Global Head of Artist Partnerships and Audience, Spotify

· Kevin Foo – MD, RCA Greater China & Sony Music Taiwan

· Arica Ng – President, Asia Pacific, Warner Chappell Music

· Mark Chay – Executive Director, Community and Administration, Global Esports Federation

· Akshat Rathee – MD, NODWIN Gaming

· Prakash Somosundram – MD, Infront Pan-Asia

Showcasing some of the best emerging acts from Asia Pacific and around the world, Music Matters Live brings Singapore nights alive over six electrifying nights from 8 to 13 September, featuring 30 artists from 15 countries. Music Matters Live serves as a global platform representing the APAC music industry and opening doors for talented artists seeking to make a mark in the world's most populated region.

The festival kicks off on 8 September with Music Matters Live GPSS Weekender at Clarke Quay; a weekend of free live music open to the public.

When the All That Matters conference starts on 11 September, Music Matters Live will also feature industry nights showcasing new artists from around the region, including Warner Music Presents on 12 September at the Ground Theatre at *Scape, plus more.

Learning Matters returns with two tracks – Music Matters Academy and Sport Matters Academy on 11 and 12 September respectively.

All That Matters’ speakers and industry leaders will take part in sessions which are free to attend for students and those aspiring to enter the music and sport industries.

Details

The VIP Pass is priced at US$1,299, which includes access to three days of live content, networking platform, VIP networking parties, coffee breaks and daily lunches. The Content Pass is priced at US$649 and includes access to three days of live content and networking from 11 – 13 September. Visit www.allthatmatters.asia for the full agenda and ticketing information.

For Music Matters Live lineup announcements and schedules, follow @musicmatterstome on Instagram.

Nalati Restaurant & Events celebrates Mid-Autumn

- Mid-autumn reunion lunch and dinner set menus available till October 1

In celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Executive Chef Gary Wu has created an Asian fusion set menu to cater for reunion lunch and dinner gatherings at Nalati Restaurant & Events.

Wu’s seven-course S$188 Mid-Autumn Festival set menu for four to five people includes:

“团团圆圆” 原盅冬瓜汤
Whole Winter Melon Soup

“横行无阻” Nalati 招牌酥炸杏仁软壳蟹
Nalati Almond Soft Shell Crab

“金沙满地” 自制豆腐扒金瓜蟹肉酱
Homemade Beancurd, Butternut purée with Crab Meat

“鱼跃龙门” 蒜香蒸野生红斑鱼（1kg）
Steamed Wild-caught Red Garoupa with Garlic Soya Sauce

“富贵丰满” 炉烤酱烧骨
Grilled Nalati Special Marinated Pork Ribs

“金银红彩片满地” 银芽红椒炒黑胡椒乌冬面
Silver Beansprout, Red Capsicum sautéd Japanese Udon Noodles with Black Pepper Sauce

“缘愿梦圆” 红豆沙汤圆（芝麻和花生）
Red Bean Soup with Glutinous Rice Balls (sesame or peanut, or both)

Nalati Restaurant & Events is the first and only garden-themed restaurant in the central business district area. A collaborative space for both Distrii Singapore’s members and the public, the restaurant opened its doors to diners in August 2020.

Patrons can enjoy casual dining with an all-day restaurant menu plus experiential shopping and digital art wall installations.

Executive Chef Wu's signature creations include Soft-Shell Crab with Almond Flakes, Re-Constructed Mini Bun, Wasabi Mayo Prawns, Sautéd Hot Dried Chilli Pepper Chicken and Nalati Silver Hill Duck from the Asian fusion A La Carte Menu. His must-tries from the Italian A La Carte Menu include the 75 Degree Celsius Prawn with Mosaic Yuzu Dressing, Pan-Seared Lamb Rack, and Squid Ink Pasta with Squid and Prawn.

Nalati is also offering four varieties of mooncakes in specially-designed gift boxes, the perfect gift for corporate clients:

Musang King Durian Snow Skin Mooncake; S$59.80 per box
(Six pieces, 65g)

White Lotus Paste with Egg Yolk Mooncake; S$48.80 per box
(Six pieces, 65g)

Pandan with Egg Yolk Mooncake; S$48.80 per box
(Six pieces, 65g)

Mixed Fruit and Nut Mooncake; S$48.80 per box
(Six pieces, 65g)

Mooncake delivery and pickup orders are as follows:

Monday to Saturday: 11 am to 8 pm (last order at 7 pm)

Collection times may vary during peak hours (12 pm to 1 pm; 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm)

Nalati also offers unique ‘takeaway’ buys including Mao Shan Wang durians (ready packed & frozen), and local food products like freeze-packed Chilli Crab.

Details:

Nalati Restaurant and Events
Levels 1 & 2, Distrii Singapore
Republic Plaza 1, 9 Raffles Place, Singapore 048619
(access via Distrii main entrance)

Open from Mondays to Saturdays Closed on Sundays

8 am to 10.30 pm (Mondays to Fridays)
10 am to 10.30 pm (Saturdays)

Call +65 6223 1258 to make a reservation.

A la carte menu prices begin at S$6.80.

Joo Chiat Kim Choo launches halal rice dumplings at 7-Eleven Singapore

Source: Joo Chiat Kim Choo/7-Eleven.

- Kim Choo Kid halal rice dumplings (粽子) are exclusively available at all 7-Eleven stores in Singapore

- The dumplings come in Nonya Chicken and Salted Chicken flavours, with the leaves removed for convenience

A halal version of the well-known Joo Chiat Kim Choo rice dumplings are now available at 7-Eleven stores in Singapore. The No. 1 rice dumpling maker in Singapore, a part of Neo Group, is famous for its Nonya dumplings, made from a recipe passed down over generations.

In an exclusive partnership between 7-Eleven and the heritage brand, two unique Kim Choo Kid flavours have been introduced in Singapore: the halal Nonya chicken and the salted chicken dumplings. Each rice dumpling is painstakingly handcrafted daily in ISO 22000-certified kitchens at Joo Chiat Kim Choo. The emphasis is on ensuring a harmonious blend of traditional flavours.

Source: Joo Chiat Kim Choo/7-Eleven.

The S$2.80 triangular rice dumpling packs are designed to be eaten on-the-go, with the leaves already removed. The dumplings are sold chilled, and ready to microwave to get the same goodness of the original recipe.

Triangular dumplings made from glutinous rice wrapped around a filling are traditionally eaten around the Dragon Boat festival, which is 7 June this year. Traditionally, the dumplings are wrapped in bamboo leaves before being steamed or boiled. Classic dumpling recipes typically contain meat, but there are also vegetarian versions.

Details:

Till 14 May, the dumplings are on promotion at S$2.50 each. Locate a 7-Eleven nearby


Joo Chiat Kim Choo products are distributed to major food service providers and can be found in leading supermarkets, hotels, country clubs, and retail stores around Singapore.

Visit DiverseCity in KL this year for a wide array of performing, visual arts

From 31 August to 2 October 2016, the second-ever DiverseCity 2016 or the annual Kuala Lumpur International Arts Festival 2016 is serving up an array of visual arts, crafts, music, dance and literature, around the Klang Valley in Malaysia. Many are free-of-charge.

Held for five weeks every year across multiple venues in Kuala Lumpur and greater KL, the programme of performing and visual arts in each year of DiverseCity will showcase the complex, rich and nuanced diversity of Malaysia and explore our close ties and deep relationship with the ASEAN community.

The Official Festival Launch Ceremony will be held on Malaysia's National Day on 31 August 2016. From 230pm, the Centre Court, Lower Ground Floor, Berjaya Times Square will host a variety of performances including a mobile phone orchestra with Ng Chor Guan of Toccata on the theremin, syair singing, street dancing by Alam-ak as well as the opening day of the Dirgahayu photography exhibition.

Dirgahayu photography exhibition

31 August 2016

10am to 10pm

Lower Ground Floor, Berjaya Times Square

1 September to 2 October 2016

10am to 10pm

Level 3, Avenue K

Featuring the works of acclaimed Malaysian photographers Rahman Roslan, Ahmad Yusni and Hasnoor Hussein and curated by Rahman himself, the photographs exhibited are linked by the theme dirgahayu – a wish for longevity.

Festival Hub 

Source: DiverseCity 2016. A work by Zac Lee.

1 to 30 September (Tuesdays to Saturdays only)

11am to 7pm 

Shalini Ganendra Fine Art @ Gallery Residence

Serving as a festival hub for the first time, Shalini Ganendra Fine Art hosts a variety of exhibitions, including the works of mixed medium artist Zac Lee, sculptor Anniketyni Madian and PavilionNOW 2016 - a shadow garden installation by Ar. Eleena Jamil, alongside workshops, talks and more. The PavilionNOW project celebrates local architecture and design talent, and challenges local talent to create beyond conventional definition and perspective, as well as provide a stage set for performances throughout DiverseCity 201

Andy Warhol: Social Circus by The Ryan Foundation

Source: DiverseCity 2016. Warhol.

2 to 19 September 2016

12pm to 9pm

Slate@The Row

For the first time in Malaysia, a rare collection of Andy Warhol Polaroids of the world’s biggest actors, artists and fashion designers from the 1970s and 1980s will be on display during DiverseCity 2016. The brainchild of lawyer and art collector Ryan Su, Andy Warhol: Social Circus is the largest collection of Andy Warhol Polaroids to be shown in Malaysia and Asia. These Polaroids not only demonstrate Warhol’s influence as an artist and society figure, but are the source material of the famous silkscreen portraits that are valued in the millions today. Visitors to Andy Warhol: Social Circus will be transported to Warhol’s studio The Silver Factory to experience a physical manifestation and contextualisation of Warhol’s Polaroids.

Source: DiverseCity 2016. The Enchanted Forest.

The Enchanted Forest by Sandra Lee

3 to 25 September 2016 

10am to 5pm

Ruang by ThinkCity, 3rd Floor, OCBC Building

Step into The Enchanted Forest, a new commission by Sandra Lee. Look out for characters such as Little Red Riding Hood clad in a sarong kebaya (traditional dress worn in Singapore and Malaysia) with a basket of ang ku kueh (red tortoise cakes), and Hansel and Gretel dressed in traditional Malay costumes. Lee also places the characters among attap houses, shophouses, public housing flats and other familiar sights as her tribute to these different architectural features found in Southeast Asia.

Meraki (Moghul Miniatures) by Ami

31 August to 2 September 2016

11am to 7:30pm

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indian Cultural Centre, Menara Sentral Vista

Meraki is a collection of painstakingly-created miniature paintings on paper and faux ivory exploring the themes of love. Indian miniature paintings present to us a layered world of meaning. They can vary greatly in size—from not appreciably larger than outsized postage stamps to being close to a metre in height. Ami’s Indian miniature paintings try and capture the spirit of bringing together humanity and divinity.

Sarawak Borneo Exotica
2 September 2016, 8:30pm
3 September 2016, 2:30pm and 8:30pm
4 September 2016, 11am

Dataran DBKL (near the Kuala Lumpur Food Truck Feast)

Enjoy Sarawakian music and dance performances, featuring culture from communities such as the Kenyah, Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Melanau and Sarawak Malays, as well as modern and world music played with traditional Sarawakian musical instruments.

The 4 of Us
16 September 2016

8pm to 9pm

Shalini Ganendra Fine Art @ Gallery Residence

The 4 of Us Vocal Quartet, comprising Malaysian friends Kathleen Roshene (soprano), Jacqueline Teng (alto), Andrew Sanjay George (tenor) and Wilson Tan (bass), will delight fans of choral music with an hour of a cappella singing.

Live in Kuala Lumpur! Dmitry Maloletov

19 to 20 September 2016

8:30pm

Experimental Theatre, The National Arts, Culture and Heritage Academy (ASWARA)

Russian guitarist, composer, writer and producer Dmitry Ivanovich Maloletov is one of the few guitarists in Russia who has mastered the unusual "independent two-handed tapping" guitar technique. He is also the author of the one and only Russian-language textbook on the application of piano-like technique on electric guitar, which comes with an audio app.

Main Zapin
1 October 2016

8:30pm 

Panggung Anniversary

The National Arts, Culture and Heritage Academy (ASWARA)’s ever-popular Main Zapin showcase with styles representing many of the states in Malaysia, including Zapin Putar Alam, Pekajang, Sebat, Terengganu, Salor and more, performed by 12 professional dancers.

Jual Ubat: Dari Stesen ke Stesen Monodrama Tour

4 September 2016

8:30pm to 10pm

KTM Kuala Lumpur

The powerful monologue Jual Ubat is performed and directed by actor Khalid Salleh, who is one of only two Malaysians to have won the Best Actor award at the Asia Pacific Film Festival. This nationwide tour makes its stop in Kuala Lumpur as part of DiverseCity 2016. The drama delivers multiple critiques from the viewpoint of an insignificant person - a street medicine vendor - who is observant not only of the social issues, but also the political deprivation, racial struggles, as well as the subsistence of Malay-Muslims. This performance features a rendition of songs inspired by poems (Lagu Puisi) by Adinda Amiro and Sani Sudin as the opening act.

KL Le Park
24 September 2016

9am to 7pm

Panggung Anniversary

KL LePark gathers various art forms into one single event including literature (book trucks and poetry performances), music (alternative and indie bands), visual arts (paintings and caricatures) and design (t-shirts, DIY).

Interested?

Explore the full list of events or book tickets. Group discounts are on offer until 25 August 2016, and there are also concession tickets for eligible groups. 

Qasr Al Hosn to be bigger and better in 2016

Source: Qasr Al Hosn Festival. The 2015 festival attracted 120,000 visitors in 11 days.

The annual Qasr Al Hosn Festival is set to return to the UAE capital from February 3 to 13, 2016. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the 2016 festival will celebrate the Qasr Al Hosn's status as a historic monument and community hub, and honour the UAE’s founders and their leadership.

Qasr Al Hosn, which is the symbolic birthplace of the Emirate and home to Abu Dhabi’s ruling Al Nahyan family, continues to undergo a comprehensive process of preservation, restoration and rehabilitation. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the festival narrates the ongoing conservation of the fort, and reinforces the Qasr Al Hosn site as the cultural heart of Abu Dhabi.

“Without exception, the Qasr Al Hosn Festival has grown to become a cultural highlight of the Emirate’s scene. As the symbolic birthplace of Abu Dhabi and a valuable monument of traditional Emirati heritage, Qasr Al Hosn's enduring legacy is reflected through this annual festival and is an opportunity for the community and visitors to gather and celebrate national history. We are sure the inspiring interactive programme will emphasise the nation's heritage and identity in a celebratory atmosphere,” said His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, TCA Abu Dhabi Chairman.

This year’s festival will present the outcome of the Conservation Management Plan for the urban block of Qasr Al Hosn including the fort, the National Consultative Council, and the Cultural Foundation Building. The fourth edition of the Qasr Al Hosn Festival will present ongoing conservation works and archaeological activities at the Fort, particularly the reinstatement of the 1940’s façade of the outer palace.

The experience will conclude at the Qasr Al Hosn Centre where visitors can tour the Qasr Al Hosn Exhibition, which will provide insight on those who dwelled in the fort and explain the significance of the buildings, outlining how the historical context of Qasr Al Hosn is now shaping the area’s master plan.

The Festival’s popular Desert, Oasis, Marine and Abu Dhabi Island zones return, with interactive activations, re-enactments and workshops. An Arena Zone will house a series of performances and family-oriented activities dedicated to themes which reflect the cultural significance of the site on the development of the Emirate and its people.

The Festival will also include a lively hub of visual and performing arts programmes, workshops, cultural and interactive learning experiences. Parts of the Cultural Foundation will once again open to the public during the Festival days, and will host a series of educational and informative exhibitions and activities through a comprehensive public programme.

Add your own branding to SPD paper and electronic greeting cards

Source: SPD website.

SPD, an organisation dedicated to working with people with disabilities to develop their potential to the fullest, has a sheltered workshop* that produces both paper and electronic greeting cards for various occasions, including birthdays, Hari Raya, Deepavali, Christmas and Chinese New Year.

Cards can be customised with corporate logos, specific messages, or designed for other occasions.

Interested?

Visit the e-shop to view the full range of cards. Christmas 2015 and Chinese New Year 2016 cards are already available
Enquire at +65 6579 0742

*A sheltered workshop is a work environment for people with disabilities. 

Concorde Hotel stacks mooncakes vertically this year

Source: Concorde Hotel website.

This Mid-Autumn Festival, Concorde Hotel Singapore is offering traditionally baked mooncakes with pure lotus paste (S$60 for a box of four, GST inclusive), pure lotus with a single yolk (S$64 for four) or double yolks (S$68) as well as the less-sweet white lotus with single yolk (S$64). Another flavour called Supreme Manju also retails for S$64 for a box of four.

Each mooncake jar is housed in a clear
plastic bag with silken rope handles.

The hotel has created versatile jars to house a set of four mooncakes, available in purple, orange and pink. The hotel is known to offer different packaging for its mooncake sets every year.

Interested?

The mooncakes will be available till September 27. To place orders, call +65 6739 8370. DBS/POSB, OCBC and UOB credit card members receive discounts.

Read the WorkSmart Asia blog posts about mooncakes from the Marina Mandarin Singapore, Mandarin Orchard Singapore, Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy and from Tea Forte

posted from Bloggeroid

Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy adds black bean mooncakes to 2015 selection

Source: Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy.

Savour a classic twist on handmade traditional mooncakes by Head Chef Lester Wang during the Mooncake festival at the Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy.

Available in more than 20 flavours, the baked and snowskin mooncakes by Wang run through the spectrum between  nostalgia and modernity. Crowd favourites include Jia Wei Durian, Signature Italian Dark Coffee, Raspberry with Dark Chocolate mooncakes.

The selection includes two new flavours this year: traditional black bean paste baked mooncakes and the ‘Ying Yang’ snowskin mooncake, which combines white lotus and black bean filings.

“For this year’s Mooncake Festival, we want to give our customers a taste of the past through our classic flavours. That is also reflected through the packaging and the efforts towards each handmade mooncake for the best texture.” said Klaus Gottschalk, General Manager of Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy.

Interested?

Mooncakes are available for purchase till 27 September at Jia Wei Chinese Restaurant and the Wave Café. Call +65 6340 5678 with questions.

Read the WorkSmart Asia blog posts about mooncakes from the Marina Mandarin Singapore, Mandarin Orchard Singapore and Tea Forte Singapore

posted from Bloggeroid

Marina Mandarin Singapore introduces yuzu mini snowskin mooncakes

Source: Marina Mandarin Singapore.

The Marina Mandarin Singapore is offering a selection of mooncakes till 27 September this year.

The hotel's Peach Blossoms restaurant presents the Mini Yolk Charcoal Black Sesame Paste with Melon Seeds and Gold Dust, which comes in a gift set of eight. Back by popular demand is the mega Eight Treasure (eight-yolk) White Lotus Paste Mooncake, ideal as a gift.

The hotel has introduced a new snowskin flavour, the Yuzu Mini Snowskin. The new mooncake features a generous serving of citrus yuzu and white lotus paste. This treat also comes in a box of eight.

Interested?

The mooncakes are available for orders and takeaways at Peach Blossoms or Café Mocha. Order online

For enquiries or bulk orders, please call +65 6845 1118 or email promotions.marina at meritushotels.com

Read the WorkSmart Asia blog posts on mooncakes from Tea Forte Singapore, the Mandarin Orchard and the Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy

posted from Bloggeroid

2015 Namyangju Slow Life International Festival to delight visitors this October

Source: Slow Life Planet website.

An international festival promoting the slow food movement as well as an all-round healthy lifestyle will take place in the South Korean city of Namyangju in October. 

Under the theme Good Food, Good Life the Namyangju Slow Life International Festival (남양주슬로푸드국제대회) will run for 10 days from October 8 in the provincial city, located about 30 km east of Seoul. 

The fair is the second of its kind to be held in Namyangju city, after it launched the Asio Gusto festival in 2013. The city has since changed the name of the programme and decided to make it a regular event that is held every two years.

Visitors can expect to enjoy concerts, tasting sessions and other hands-on activities. A food show starring some of the most popular chefs from South Korea will be held during the festival, and visitors will also be able to try traditional foods and beverages from a diverse mix of cultures.

Interested?

Individual tickets: 7,000 won
Group* tickets: 6,000 won
Early bird** tickets: 5,000 won
Buy tickets**

*A group should have at least 10 people. 

**Early bird prices are available till October 7, 2015.

***Tickets at each tier cost 1,000 won less for teenagers and children.

NANYANG, The Musical explores the world of Singapore's artist pioneers

Source: SISTIC website.

Director Alec Tok (卓金炎) has returned to the Singapore stage after 15 years spent making theatre abroad. NANYANG, The Musical, a coming-of-age story inspired by the lives and times of Singapore's first-generation artists, reunites lyricist Xiaohan (小寒) and composer Eric Ng (黄韵仁), the song-writing team behind hit musicals such as Liao Zhai Rocks and Lao Jiu, with arrangements by Goh Kheng Long (吴庆隆).  

Produced by One Kind Theatre (艺种戏剧), NANYANG will debut during the Singapore International Festival of Arts 2015 (SIFA), running from 6 to 8 August at the Drama Centre Theatre. The hero is Chen Kang, an up-and-coming painter from Xiamen, China who moves to 1930s Shanghai in a bid to advance his career. While there, he meets a group of kindred spirits with whom he explores and questions the fundamentals of traditional Chinese painting and European Impressionism. Chen even falls in love with one of them: Liying, a talented painter.

But the Japanese invasion of Shanghai and the spread of World War II to Europe drive Chen and his friends out of China and into Southeast Asia, where they became part of the Chinese diaspora in the region known for its collective identity, Nanyang (South Seas). Before settling in Singapore, Chen and his friends make a pivotal trip to Bali, where, inspired by the exoticism of the island, they develop a unique artistic style.

"I am very grateful to SIFA for giving me this opportunity and platform to converse and connect with our Singaporean audience through the language of art and theatre. This will be the first time that my stage work will be seen here after I went off to the US to study at the Yale School of Drama. It has been very exciting because this commission has allowed me to work with some of the best theatre artists practising here and in the region," said Tok.

Tickets are on sale at SISTIC* for the Mandarin musical with English subtitles. Early bird sales, with 20% discount, end on 10 May. There are also discounts for bundles as part of SIFA sales. Tickets range from S$25 to S$75 and could be an opportunity for organising a corporate outing for customers, partners or employees.

*SISTIC's hotline will operate from 10am to 8pm from May 2015.