Singapore’s F&B industry faced many challenges during the pandemic. It was at the forefront of the news for the difficulties it faced with regard to the rental, energy, supply chain, and manpower. All these challenges are so relevant to me now that I am working in the food sector.
On 24 November 2022, the 27th edition of RAS Epicurean Star Award 2022 gala dinner gathered members and leaders of the industry to celebrate its hardworking, loyal, and talented workforce. Organised by the Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS), the event was graced by Guest-of-Honour Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower & Second Minister for Trade and Industry.
This year, the Award lauded the indomitable spirit and the unflinching ‘can-do’ attitude of everyone in the F&B industry – the service staff, restaurateurs, chefs, and many more who braved through adversities and challenges during the pandemic years.
A total of 20 awards by categories under the RAS Epicurean Star Award 2022 were presented to winners:
- Best Asian Restaurant (Casual Dining): Peace Japanese Cuisine
- Best Cafe: Bee’s Knees at the Garage
- Best Hotpot Restaurant (2 winners): Beauty in the Pot, Yanxi Dim Sum & Hotpot
- Best Mediterranean Restaurant: Kazbar
- Best BBQ Restaurant: Griglia Open Fire Italian Kitchen
- Best Vegetarian Restaurant: Lingzhi Vegetarian
- Best Seafood Restaurant: Clan 7
- Best Buffet: Lai Huat Signatures
- Best Japanese Restaurant (Casual Dining): Sake Labo
- Best Japanese Restaurant (Fine Dining): Takayama
- Best Chinese Restaurant (Casual Dining): Tunglok Signatures
- Best Chinese Restaurant (Fine Dining): Tong Le Private Dining
- Best Chain Restaurant: Putien
- Best Gastro Bar: Kazbar
- Best Fusion Restaurant: FLNT
- Best Halal Restaurant (Casual Dining): Monster Planet
- Best Halal Restaurant (Fine Dining): Elfuego by Collin’s
- Best Western Restaurant (Casual Dining): L’Angelus
- Best Western Restaurant (Fine Dining): Bedrock Origin
- People’s Choice Award: Shabestan, Finest Persian Restaurant
The evening also cast the spotlight on two other awards – the Workforce Resilience Award by WSG, and the Excellent Service Awards (EXSA) 2022.
The Workforce Resilience Award was presented by Guest-of-Honour Dr Tan to BreadTalk Group and Zingrill Holdings, for reskilling their workers to take on more value-added roles.
Six EXSA 2022 Superstar Finalists were announced at the gala dinner and cited for their outstanding work in their service positions and for having gone beyond the call of their duties to deliver exceptional service and to create memorable experiences for their customers. The ultimate Superstar will be announced in a ceremony on December 8, 2022.
Congratulate to all the Epicurean Star Awards nominees and winners!