(pronounced suh-mal-‘yAy)

In Medieval Provençal times they were saumaliers, animal pack drivers who evolved during Middle French kingdom to become court officials charged with transportation of supplies. So what does a modern day Sommelier actually do? Well, Wikipedia outlines as such, “A sommelier or wine steward is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional, normally working in fine restaurants who specializes in all aspects of wine service as well as wine and food matching. The most important work of a sommelier is in the areas of wine procurement, wine storage, wine cellar rotation, and expert service to wine consumers.” Read More >

“Sherry is always a favourite at home, current pick is Valdespino Tio Diego Amontillado. The perfect complement for most of my late night takeout from the local hawker centre.”                               Sommelier Rajeshwaran Gopal Read More >

I’m a huge fan of Rhône varietals so I love to find different expressions throughout the world.  One of my favourite wines to have guests try in the restaurant is a 2006 Syrah by Abadia Retuerta out of Sardón de Duero. Wes Guild, Sommelier & General Manager, Cut by Wolfgang Puck, Singapore Read More >

Hunting and gathering for food on the island of Singapore is very much an urban affair with practically all produce flown or trucked in. There’s no foraging in the countryside or visiting producers, no farmers markets where you come face to face with the artisan growers and producers. Read More >

Having just visited the new premises of Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice today, 24 November, 2013, I can report that it is still my favourite Chicken Rice in Singapore and the new location at United Square more convenient and accessible than there old Novena location. Moreover, with a brand new, modern fit-out and much more space, the place feels a lot more conducive and everything more organized, and I sense that the move is a ‘breathe of new life’. Read More >

My favourite fishmonger in Singapore, Greenwood Fish Market, is celebrating 10 years of trading, which may not seem a long time if you come from a generation’s old Cornwall fishing family but surviving a decade in hyper-competitive Singapore is equivalent to a lifetime. Read More >

My favourite fishmonger in Singapore, Greenwood Fish Market, just sent me an SMS on the recently arrived catch; a 120lb Halibut, sufficiently large enough to feed a Chinese family banquet I would have thought. Read More >

With a plethora of new restaurants in Singapore, the Wandering Palate is largely unimpressed with the ‘Johnny come latelies’ and names a well-established, family owned and run Cantonese restaurant as his current “Best Restaurant in Singapore” Read More >

Readers of the Wandering Palate may have noticed that I rarely write negative reviews on restaurants, with a self-compliance adopting the old adage “If you’ve got nothing nice to say, say nothing at all. ” Furthermore, I find it best to refrain from criticizing the work of other journalists or publications out of respect for both their opinion and avoiding conflicts of interest. Read More >

New Zealand’s Family of Twelve Singapore Tour was a huge success with the wine dinners at Imperial Treasure sell-outs and the Salt grill walkabout tasting attracting 140 people and with the all day grazing practically everyone stayed the entire day and had a great time. Read More >