Although he couldn’t speak English, one-Michelin-starred chef Ezio Gritti of L’Osteria di via Solata, in Italy, sure delighted the audience when he brandished his 24-carat gold cooking pan and silver cooking pan that he had specially custom-made for his kitchen. Revealing that the centre of the gold pan is made of copper (serves to cook the perfect foie gras) while the silver pan conducts heat most evenly, which is great for roasting, he had his guests intrigued. And furthermore, when he whipped up his healthy fare of seared free-range chicken breast stuffed with bell peppers and caramelised apples, taste glands started salivating. All in all, it was an organised and extremely successful masterclass that proved most memorable! Click here to see his expensive cookware!

Entertaining and amusing from the very start, Chef Michele Pavanello of Pontini, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore, gave a lively demonstration of how to cook three dishes- a starter, a main course, and a dessert- which amazingly, all used Barilla’s pasta or Riso Gallo’s risotto as an ingredient. At the culinary masterclass, he not only made guests laugh, but he also revealed secrets behind perfecting that al dente pasta, giving pasta an additional flavour by throwing asparagus skin into the water, and teaching guests about the best ingredients to use. Learning all the special tips was fun, but surely guests enjoyed the tasting of Chef Pavanello’s recipes at the end of the class the best part of the deal! Click here to savour (with your eyes) what A Taste of Italy by Barilla was all about.

Another one of this year’s whirlwind visitors, Hubert de Boüard de Laforest, winemaker and owner of Château Angélus was in town for only a night to present five decades of Château Angélus wines to an enchanted audience at the Equinox Private Dining Room. It was one of first times a flight featuring five decades of Château Angélus was being shown in public. According to Boüard, Singapore was one of the very first places he visited officially as a winemaker back in the mid-1980’s; thus, his generosity with the wines (there are very few bottles of Château Angélus wines from the 1960’s left). During the vintner dinner, Boüard also showcased wines from his Pommerol vineyards, called La Fleur de Boüard, which he bought to leave to his two children. For more to temp your taste buds, please visit our photo gallery!

It was a fabulous night of fun and laughter when Discovery Travel & Living celebrity Kevin Brauch came to town. The host of The Thirsty Traveller television series was truly in good spirits throughout the entire event, as he shared tales of his travels abroad. His infectious humour coupled with his genial personality made it an event not worth missing. With co-host Glenn Ong of Class 95 FM, the comedic duo entertained guests as they dined from Kevin’s specially selected menu, each dish complemented with a different and exquisite drink. Charming the crowd with stories of his adventures and extensive knowledge of spirits, his antics, wit and showmanship definitely made it a night to remember. Click here for photos!