Singapore Food Festival 2025: Culinary Adventures, Artistic Desserts & My Favourite Umami Bomb

Singapore Food Festival 2025 has officially kicked off, bringing over 30 unique culinary experiences to food lovers from 20 September to 6 October. This year’s theme, “Flavours Reimagined”, celebrates Singapore’s diverse food culture with an immersive line-up of chef collaborations, dining pop-ups, and innovative gastronomic events.

Adriano Zumbo Steals the Spotlight

One of the highlights this year are the deserts created by acclaimed pastry chef Adriano Zumbo, who made his Asian debut in this year’s SFF. Zumbo has crafted a stunning range of desserts exclusively for the festival — and I was lucky enough to try them at the Mise en Place during the media launch.

The pink macaron stood out immediately — a delicate balance of strawberry jam, genmaicha cream, and crunchy popcorn that was as beautiful as it was flavourful with that subtle roasted tones from both the genmaicha and popcorn kernels. Zumbo’s iconic V8 cake also got a Singaporean twist with a chrysanthemum chantilly cream, and honestly, it was exceptional. I even managed to grab a selfie with Zumbo and chat with him, where I cheekily asked him whether he’s considering bringing this version back to Australia, to which he said that he might because he too was pleasantly surprised at how good it is.

You can try the very Singaporean Milo Lamington cake with a dollop of salted egg yolk, which my husband really enjoyed but I’m not a fan of Lamingtons so it tasted just like a Milo cake to me. The Passionfruit Sunset tart was very refreshing but it can be a little too tart for those who have a sweeter tooth. Nonetheless, all these creations are worth a try and they are sold exclusively during SFF 2025 from now till 24 Sept at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. Be early as I’ve heard that they’ve been selling out every day since.

A Surprising Savoury Favourite

Besides going to Mise en Place, we also attended the Food is Art event last Saturday. While Zumbo’s desserts impressed, my unexpected star of the day came from the Food Is Art event — the Hae Bee Hiam Donut. Don’t let the name fool you; this was no ordinary snack. Imagine a fluffy donut filled with an umami-packed hae bee hiam flavoured cream or mayo, where the crispy prawn head garnish acts like a fuse that sets off an explosion of flavours. It’s not fiery spicy, but it delivers everything you’d want from this beloved local favourite.

But of course, there were exclusive desserts by Zumbo and Chef Da Liang (Pastry Chef at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel) just for the event that were both whimsical and flavourful. My favourite dessert by Zumbo that evening was “Ip Man”, which is like the name of the martial artist – unassuming but packs a punch. Delicate pastry holding piped cream with small drops of grapefruit and crunchy nuts.

Theatrical, Bold, and a Little Pretentious

The Food Is Art event had its eccentric side too. Models stood stoically holding intricate dessert platters, while modern dancers performed interpretative routines alongside the creations. It made for visually stunning content, but the atmosphere leaned slightly pretentious — more of a high-art showcase than a casual food fest.

But there was a nice art wall where guests were encouraged to stick stickers wherever and however they’d like and needless to say, it was my little one’s favourite activity there (besides eating).

More Than 30 Culinary Adventures Await

Beyond Mise en Place, SFF 2025 unfolds across the island with experiences that spotlight Singapore’s flavours and traditions from riverside feasts and cross-border chef collaborations to immersive heritage trails and vibrant celebrations of hawker culture. The islandwide programme features:

Riverside Feast at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore (12–14 Sep): a culinary extravaganza inspired by the vibrant spice trade that once animated the Singapore River.

4-Hands Dining: Stories of the Land, Soul of the City at Baba Chews (13–14 Sep): a six-course cross-border menu by chefs from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Singapore Heritage Food Tours (Halal) (13 & 20 Sep): Discover hidden gems in Geylang Serai, Joo Chiat, and Katong.

Chinatown Complex Food Centre (every weekend from 4 to 24 September (except 8 and 9 September): Heritage tours and the debut of Hawker Centre Happy Hour, with exclusive bites and deals from 195 hawker stalls.

Made-In-SG F&B Showcase at Geneo (8–14 Sep): Spotlighting homegrown F&B brands and innovations.

Whether you’re after artistic desserts, innovative cocktails, or reimagined heritage dishes, there’s something here to excite every food lover.

🎁 Win Tickets to Singapore Food Festival 2025!

We’re giving away two tickets to the festival, which include a complimentary drink at Mise en Place per person. Head over to our Instagram page [@melfann] to find out how to enter the giveaway and stand a chance to be part of this year’s culinary celebration!