Singapore to host World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards in 2019

Singapore has been chosen as the first Asian city to host the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards in 2019, after previous editions in Bilbao, Melbourne and New York.

The choice cements Singapore’s status as a culinary centre in Asia. Almost one in five of the restaurants listed in the 2018 edition of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants are based in Singapore, according to the organiser.

The awards ceremony, often referred to as the ‘Oscars of the culinary world’, will be preceded by a series of events including #50BestTalks to hear about the latest trends in gastronomy and partake in discussions on topical issues around food, as well as to attend masterclasses and dinners by some of the world’s greatest chefs.

William Reed Business Media, the company behind the 50 Best brand, has also signed a “ground-breaking” three-year partnership with the STB, the first time such a partnership has been inked, bringing a pipeline of prestigious 50 Best events to Singapore from 2019- 2021. Besides The World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards in 2019, Singapore will also see Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards for the next two years in 2019 and 2020.

In addition, a standalone special edition of the #50BestTalks thought-leadership event will also take place in the city-state in 2020. The World’s 50 Best Bars awards will be hosted in Singapore in 2021 – making it the first city outside London to be announced as hosting the Bars awards – reflecting Singapore’s fast-rising status as a must-visit destination for cocktail lovers.

Tim Brooke-Webb, managing director of 50 Best, said: “We are very excited to host an edition of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in Asia for the first time. As a confident, vibrant and thriving food city, Singapore is the perfect choice. We understand Singapore’s commitment to hosting great events, welcoming people from around the world and investing in the food and drinks sector. It’s a pleasure to work with the Singapore Tourism Board on our 2019 edition of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and the series of future events.”

Melissa Ow, acting chief executive of STB, said: “We are excited to ink this ground-breaking partnership. Hosting the internationally-renowned 50 Best branded events in Singapore, including The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and The World’s 50 Best Bars, bears testament to Singapore’s rising stature as a gastronomic and nightlife capital.

“Through this partnership and series of events, we hope to raise the bar for Singapore’s F&B industry, as well as profile our culinary and cocktail offerings to top industry professionals and visitors. Over time, we also believe it will translate into more opportunities for our home-grown dining and cocktail establishments through greater global exposure and business possibilities. We look forward to welcoming the world’s best chefs and mixologists to Singapore come 2019.”

The awards are sponsored by S. Pellegrino & Acqua Panna.