SINGAPORE, 24 March 2018 – The delectable cuisine that bowled judges over at the Culinary Olympics in Germany two years ago to clinch Singapore double gold, won the hearts and palates of more than 350 guests who attended SPD’s first charity dinner held at PARKROYAL on Beach Road last night.
Led by Louis Tay, executive chef of Swissotel Merchant Court and Teo Yeow Siang, chef of Lavish Dine Catering, the Singapore National Culinary Team recreated their winning masterpiece with adapted ingredients for last night’s exquisite four-course dinner, delighting guests including Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister for National Development and Second Minister for Finance, who was Guest-of-Honour.
Promising a gastronomical experience by award-winning chefs and for a good cause, the dinner drew the support of individual and corporate donors, raising close to $285,000 for people with disabilities.
“Against a challenging economic climate, this dinner was organised for the first time to provide another avenue to garner more donations. We are grateful to the chefs and performers for going out of their way to make this dinner a delightful one, and thankful to the individuals and companies who were forthcoming in their support. They have given us the confidence to reach out and serve more,” said Ms Chia Yong Yong, President, SPD.
Guests also walked down memory lane with performances by local entertainment luminaries including former frontman of The Quests – Vernon Cornelius, as well as Jacintha Abisheganaden and Ernesto Valerio. Performing to the evening’s theme “Moments to Remember”, 19-year-old Samuel Lim, a recipient of the SPD Youth Aspiration Award, opened the night with a rendition of the 1960’s evergreen “Battling the Typhoon” (战台风), on his guzheng.