Chef Kenjiro Hashida has introduced Savour Life, a creative dining series designed to pair chefs from distinct culinary backgrounds for innovative fusion experiences. The inaugural dinner featured Hashida and Drew Nocente cooking together, with future events promising even more surprising partnerships.
- Chefs from different culinary traditions team up monthly
- Unique menus made specifically for each event
- Future plans include hawker collaborations
What happened
Kenjiro Hashida, known for his sushi expertise at Iyasaka in Singapore and his Tokyo restaurant, has partnered with events organiser Melissa Ho to start Savour Life. This series features chef collaborations that intentionally mix different culinary styles, offering chefs a chance to experiment beyond their usual repertoire. The debut event in August saw Hashida and woodfire specialist Drew Nocente create a new menu together at Il Toro.
Unlike typical collaborative dinners where chefs combine their signature dishes, Savour Life encourages chefs to invent fresh creations together, often incorporating cooking methods and ingredients new to them. The series plans to include diverse pairings such as hawker chefs with fine dining experts, emphasizing surprise and creativity in the dining experience.
Why it feels good
Chefs often work in familiar settings, using known techniques and menus, but Savour Life breaks that routine by fostering playful experimentation. Hashida mentioned that chefs running hotel-based kitchens might not usually cook over fire, so this format lets them try exciting new methods outside their norms. The event atmosphere encourages culinary risk-taking while delivering unique and unexpected dishes for guests.
For diners, the appeal lies in experiencing one-of-a-kind meals crafted specifically for the collaboration, making each event special and limiting repetition. The price point under S$200 also ensures accessibility while maintaining a high-quality, creative dining adventure. The series fosters genuine connections between chefs who must find culinary chemistry akin to a 'blind date,' adding charm and unpredictability.
What to enjoy or watch next
Following the successful launch, the next Savour Life event scheduled for September 14 and 15 will feature Damian D’Silva of Gilmore & Damian D’Silva alongside Sho Naganuma from Barrel: Story of Hibiki. This pairing promises another exciting blend of culinary perspectives, continuing the series’ mission to surprise and delight.
Looking ahead, Hashida and Ho plan to incorporate hawker stalls, potentially teaming a favourite local bak chor mee vendor with chefs from Western cuisines. Such collaborations aim to showcase how vastly different food cultures can harmonize in this fresh format, inviting food lovers to anticipate many more inventive, joyful, and boundary-pushing dinners.