Brand-new ‘Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant’ category underscores the importance of sustainability in Singapore’s food services and F&B industry
November 22, 2023 Singapore – The RAS Epicurean Star Award 2023 was presented this evening as a grand tribute to Singapore’s hardworking and talented workforce in the F&B industry. 164 F&B establishments were nominated across 22 categories this year, marking the largest number of submissions by nominees since the Award was first incepted. A total of 44 awards were presented at the gala dinner event.
The 28th edition of the Award was held at the Raffles City Convention Centre (RCCC) Fairmont Ballroom, and was graced by Guest of Honour Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for Trade and Industry.
The RAS Epicurean Star Award is a highly anticipated celebration of achievements by brands, individuals, and establishments in Singapore’s F&B industry calendar. This annual prestigious event has been devoted to recognising strong, innovative and exciting F&B brands and concepts.
The RAS Epicurean Star Award also celebrates talents and honours the indomitable spirit of the F&B industry – the service staff, restaurateurs, chefs, and many more who braved the adversities and challenges the industry faces.
The restaurant and F&B industry continue to witness the emergence of new dining trends and preferences from the new generation of diners – ranging from the increased demand for healthier dining options, a focus on sustainability in terms of plant-based ingredients and eco-friendly foods, and an increased spotlight on the farm-to-table offerings in restaurants.
The industry also noted that diners are increasingly interested in understanding the origins of their food and ingredients. To acknowledge this trend, the Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS introduced a brand-new category at the RAS Epicurean Star Award 2023 – the ‘Best Farm-To-Table Restaurant’ category.
The new category recognises the Award’s distinguished nominees who have embraced ethical sourcing and sustainable practices, positively impacting Singapore’s culinary scene and the environment. The limelight on the new category also resonates with the launch of the Farm-to-Table in March this year in a national drive to recognise F&B establishments that adopt sustainable practices by procuring locally farmed produce.
Last year, RAS collaborated with Workforce Singapore (WSG) to introduce the Workforce Resilience Award, which recognised food service companies that reinvented themselves and retained their workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic through the Career Conversation Programme (CCP). This year, WSG partnered with RAS again to present the WSG Workforce Transformation Award, a dedicated category recognising companies that have transformed their workforce through job redesign and reskilling.
The WSG Workforce Transformation Awards confers a distinction to the top adopters from the SME & Non-SME category with the highest number of reskilled workers. The award aims to motivate the industry to embark on workforce transformation. Additionally, companies that have onboarded CCP for Food Professional & Associate (CCP-FPA) were acknowledged at the event.
Best Asian Restaurant – Fine Dining
- Winner: Oumi
- Runner-up: Taste Paradise
Best Asian Restaurant – Casual Dining
- Winner: Dian Xiao Er
- Runner-up: Chili Padi Nonya Restaurant
Best Chinese Restaurant – Fine Dining
- Winner: Man Fu Yuan
- Runner-up: Tóng Lè Private Dining
Best Chinese Restaurant – Casual Dining
- Winner: TungLok Signatures
- Runner-up: PUTIEN
Best Halal Restaurant – Fine Dining
- Winner: Restaurant Espoir
- Runner-up: Tipo Pizzeria e Trattoria
Best Halal Restaurant – Casual Dining
- Winner: Ginger
- Runner-up: The Dim Sum Place
Best Japanese Restaurant – Fine Dining
- Winner: Takayama
- Winner: Waku Ghin
- Runner-up: Oumi
Best Japanese Restaurant – Casual Dining
- Winner: USHIO SUMIYAKI & SAKE BAR
- Runner-up: KINKI RESTAURANT + BAR
Best Western Restaurant – Fine Dining
- Winner: FIRE
- Runner-up: Spago Dining Room by Wolfgang Puck – Singapore
Best Western Restaurant – Casual Dining
- Winner: Au Balcon at The Summerhouse
- Runner-up: Tanglin Cookhouse
Best BBQ Restaurant
- Winner: Kaarla
- Runner-up: Griglia Open Fire Italian Kitchen
Best Buffet Restaurant
- Winner: RISE
- Runner-up: Peppermint at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay,
Singapore
Best Cafe
- Winner: Arteastiq Tea Lounge
- Runner-up: Wildseed Cafe @ The Alkaff Mansion
Best Chain Restaurant
- Winner: Haidilao Hot Pot
- Runner-up: PUTIEN
Best Farm-To-Table Restaurant
- Winner: Oumi
- Runner-up: Peppermint at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay,
Singapore
Best Fusion Restaurant
- Winner: FLNT
- Runner-up: Arbora Hilltop Garden & Bistro
Best Gastro Bar
- Winner: Kazbar
- Runner-up: Harry’s
Best Hot Pot Restaurant
- Winner: Beauty in the Pot
- Runner-up: Haidilao Hot Pot
Best Mediterranean Restaurant
- Winner: UNA
- Runner-up: MONTI Singapore
Best Seafood Restaurant
- Winner: Seafood Paradise
- Runner-up: TungLok Seafood
Best Vegetarian Restaurant
- Winner: LingZhi Vegetarian
- Runner-up: SUFOOD Singapore
The People’s Choice Award
- Winner: Dian Xiao Er
WSG Workforce Transformation Awards Winners
Non-SME Category: Mr Benjamin Boh, Managing Director, McDonald’s Singapore
SME Category: Ms Bernadette Giam, Director of Corporate Affairs and Human
Resources, Creative Eateries
