Mr Wee Ee-chao
Chairman, Singapore Tourism Board

Once a year, for the past six years, Singapore celebrates gastronomy with the annual World Gourmet Summit. Every year, this award-winning event attracts increasingly more fans worldwide to Singapore, where the world's masterchefs and vintners treat gourmets to a fabulous week of gastronomy. Due to the tremendous response, the organisers have extended the duration of this year's event from one to two weeks. The Singapore Tourism Board is proud to work with Peter Knipp Holdings in co-organising this exciting gourmet extravaganza.

Singapore is well placed as a food haven. Our multi-cultural roots have brought forth a delicious melting pot of cuisine from all across the world. This is met by Singaporeans' passion for food.

Hence, unsurprisingly, Singapore boasts two award-winning food events - the World Gourmet Summit and the Singapore Food Festival. These events have won top awards from the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) of the USA for various categories since 2000. These are awards conferred on events that have demonstrated a high level of creativity and innovation. Certainly, the IFEA awards reaffirm Singapore's status as a leading gourmet capital in the Asia Pacific region.

The fame of the World Gourmet Summit is spreading far and wide. Last year, about one third of the patrons to the event were overseas visitors, who had specially come to Singapore during the week of gastronomic celebration.

The World Gourmet Summit also plays a key role in developing local talent and capabilities in the food and beverage industry. An important initiative is the Awards of Excellence, introduced in the year 2001. These awards recognise, and encourage aspiring talents, not just in Singapore but across Asia. I hope that in time to come, the Awards of Excellence will grow in stature to equal the ranks of the James Beard Foundation awards.

I am delighted that the World Gourmet Summit in 2003 will give us two superb weeks to enjoy the finest cuisine and wines. The programme holds much promise, with the popular Culinary and Wine Masterclasses, Masterchef Safaris, Epicurean Delights and Vintner's Dinners. For loyal fans of the Summit, there are new events including a Gourmet Beer Masterclass and the Duval-Leroy champagne brunch that must not be missed.

With so many enjoyable activities to choose from, I wish all fellow connoisseurs a memorable stay and Bon Appétit!

Mr Peter A. Knipp
Co-Organiser, World Gourmet Summit
Managing Director, Peter Knipp Holdings Pte Ltd

Icons - an image; a representation; an important symbol
Gastronomy - the art of good dining

"The Icons of Gastronomy" will mark the seventh year for the region's most spectacular gourmet event - World Gourmet Summit (WGS). The WGS here in Singapore is once again geared to bring together the best from our profession. Held over a period of two weeks this year it highlights the correlation of food and wine as well gourmet beer, vodka, whisky and cognac.

In light of past feedback on the tremendous intensity of the events within a single week, this award-winning event now encompasses two weeks of exciting feastings and gourmet celebrations. With an especial line-up of 13 esteemed culinary icons, 12 distinguished winemakers from renowned wineries and four special guest chefs representing some of the most eminent gastronomy institutions from around the world, the Summit has indeed bringing the world's best into one platter - Singapore.

Some new events this year, includes the Gourmet Beer Masterclass, 'A Twist of Asia', Chivas Regal Chill Experience and Duval-Leroy Champagne Brunch promises to escalate your senses. The WGS Forum presented by a panel of specialist authority figures from all over the world, will offer insight into the changing face of the F&B world, including many of the current challenges and ideas for the future. Those wanting to stay abreast of the competition would be wise to attend.

To keep you updated every hour on the latest buzz in World Gourmet Summit, our award-winning website www.worldgourmetsummit.com provides more information and also details for the various events.