10 Aug
Westlife The Twenty Tour
National Stadium
14 number 1’s, 20 years of hits. Westlife will be performing for one night only, performing brand new songs alongside popular hits such as Swear It Again, If I Let You Go, Uptown Girl, Flying Without Wings and World of Our Own. Tickets from $108, sportshub.com.sg/Westlife2019

10 Aug
SSO National Day Concert
Esplanade Concert Hall
Celebrate Singapore’s National Day in this all-Singaporean showcase. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra joins forces with the Singapore Symphony Chorus directed by conductor Joshua Tan, for a jubilant evening of local favourites and new inspirations. Tickets from $15, sso.org.sg/orchestra-season/national-day-concert

16 – 17 Aug
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Victoria Theatre
This opera event is based on Shakespeare’s popular comedy which follows a spat between the fairy-king Oberon and his queen, Tytania. Get tangled in relationship quadrangles, mistaken identities and transformations! Tickets from $18, Sistic.

15 – 17 Aug
FINA Swimming World Cup Singapore OCBC Aquatic Centre
The FINA Swimming World Cup Singapore 2019 returns for another action-packed edition. Watch top local swimmers go head-to-head against Olympic and World Champions from around the world before the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. Tickets from $20, sportshub.com.sg

29 Aug – 5 Sept
Walking with Dinosaurs – The Live Experience
Singapore Indoor Stadium
The dazzling $20 million production features new state-of-the-art technology, making it one of the biggest dinosaur shows in the world. Take the kids and be thrilled and amazed as you watch the creatures walk, roar and fight for survival and supremacy. Tickets from $78, sportshub.com.sg/WWD2019

25 Aug
Shape Run ‘19
Kallang Practise Track
Take part in 10km, 5km, and 1.8km categories in this empowering all women’s event – which includes running workshops and training runs with motivating female pacers. Entry from $45, run.shape.com.sg/2019

23 – 31 Aug
Singapore Night Festival 2019
Bras Basah Bugis
After dark, the Bras Basah Bugis district transforms into an otherworldly wonderland for this night festival. The facade of iconic landmarks are given new life with lighting installations. Don’t miss this exciting line-up of arts, heritage and cultural experiences. nightfestival.sg

27 Aug – 5 Sept
ACT 3 International Presents,
The Rainbow Fish
Victoria Theatre
An original stage adaptation of Marcus Pfister’s enchanting tale of the most beautiful fish in the sea who gains happiness through renewed friendships. Younger kids will love the magic of black light and amazing puppetry skills. Tickets from $22, Sistic.

Coming Soon!

8 Sept
Jimmy Barnes – Live in Singapore
Capitol Theatre
The legendary front man of Cold Chisel and chart-topping solo performer will bring his distinctive and powerful rock vocals to Singapore for one night only. Playing at the beautiful Capitol Theatre, this ARIA Hall of Fame member will play his Australian anthems plus hits from his new album. Don’t miss out! From $85, Sistic.

It’s not every day you win a holiday to a remote Maldivian atoll, fringed by the impossibly blue waters of the Indian Ocean, teeming with exotic marine life. When I won a door prize at a recent media lunch, sending me off on a family holiday to a luxury resort, it truly felt like winning the lottery.

A few months later, with my grateful family in tow, we arrived via gleaming speedboat at The Residence, Maldives, where waiting staff whisked us off to a private over-water villa, with its own plunge pool, and sweeping views of azure waters and tiny atolls. A lovely villa butler dropped by to see if we wanted to partake in any of the resort’s many activities, but we were already in our swimmers and heading to the island’s fully equipped PADI dive centre to begin our adventure. The Maldives offers some of the best and most remote diving spots in the world, and we were now surrounded by rare, unspoilt coral reefs and countless beautiful sea creatures. It was time to get wet.

Kids Paradise
Our daughter was excited to try the Bubble Maker PADI course- a fun way for 8-to-9-year-olds to experience diving. After some dry land instruction, she leapt into the water with her own instructor, decked out in mini scuba gear. She quickly learnt how to breathe in shallow water (under two metres) and had a blast checking out turtles, reef shark and bright fish. For non-divers, the snorkelling here is as good as it gets. We explored the house reef just outside our villa most days and saw an incredible array of marine creatures. On dry land, the buzzy Kids’ Club caters to kids aged 3-12, with a full line-up of fun weekly activities, including Maldivian storytelling, beach scavenger hunts, seed art and swimming at the lagoon. Staff don’t mind picking up and dropping off the kids in buggies, so parents can fully enjoy their time out, or perhaps a sojourn in the tranquil day spa.

Island Eats
Another fantastic family experience was taking a cooking class. We signed up for the Maldivian Gastronomy Adventure with Executive Chef Erwan and his culinary team. We were thrilled to be invited into the kitchen at The Fulhumaa, an overwater fine-dining restaurant, perched at the end of a 230-metre long jetty. The views were sensational, but we had work to do. On the menu for our class were three local dishes; Maldivian Salad, Chicken or Fish Curry, and Dhonkeyo Kajuru (banana fritters). Aprons on, we mixed up the zingy salads, deep fried and then creatively plated up the moreish fritters and let our spicy chicken curry bubble on the stove. After our lesson, we were taken to a private table in the restaurant where we tucked into the dishes we created with crisp French wine. It was a delicious meal, and we felt quite proud of our efforts!
Another not to be missed foodie experience was the In-Villa Floating Breakfast. Order your menu items the night before through room service, and then wait for a gentle knock on the door the following morning. The breakfast quite literally ‘floats’ – a server slides a buoyant tray into the pool and leaves you to swim up to your meal. At first, it’s rather a strange sensation, nibbling on poached eggs and bacon, whilst submerged in chlorinated water, but we soon got used to it. We polished off our tray, and our daughter absolutely loved the novelty factor.

Island Extras
The resort offers a picnic lunch at nearby Castaway Island, and we decided to maroon ourselves on the tiny atoll for a couple of hours. A five-minute speedboat ride and we were left to enjoy the blindingly white sand, with a pre-packed bento box of fruit, salad and sandwiches, cold drinks and snorkelling gear. We had our own umbrella for shade, and our driver left behind a mobile phone, in case we wanted to return to the resort. The hours flew by as we flippered out to the drop-off reef, where we saw our old friends the turtles, as well as perfectly preserved coral reef. In a time when much of the world’s coral is bleached and dying, it was a welcome sight. We also found time to hop on a traditional dhoni boat at sunset to spot a few resident dolphins, who like to glide alongside the boat, diving and playing. It was a glorious way to finish the day – a glass of champagne in hand, the sun slowly dipping into the ocean. As it was our last night, we decided to treat ourselves to an indulgent barbecue beach dinner with plates of grilled lamb, salads, lobster and cold beer. It was that kind of holiday – unforgettably over the top.

Get there: From Singapore, fly directly to Velana International Airport in Male and a resort host will escort you to the domestic airport for scenic 55-minute domestic flight to Kooddoo. From Kooddoo Airport, it’s a 7-minute speedboat transfer to the resort. cenizaro.com/theresidence/maldives-fm

The picturesque town of Alba in Italy’s northwestern Piedmont region plays host to foodies from around the world each year, who flock to the UNESCO World Heritage site for the rich, earthy flavour and aroma of the world’s most expensive and sought-after fungus – tartufi bianchi, or white truffles.

Truffle Hunting
Autumn in the Piedmont region is a sight to behold; rolling green-yellow hills, vine trees getting ready to sleep for the winter, and blue skies slowly turning grey. But the fall season in the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato region brings more than just a change in the weather, it signifies the much-anticipated arrival of the magnificent white truffle. This fungus holds an almost magical status in this part of the world. Only the mystical and all-knowing Trifolai (truffle hunters) are permitted to hunt for this earthy treasure – outsiders need not apply! Truffle hunting takes place at night, when the Trifolai and their skilled sniffer dogs can avoid potentially meddlesome onlookers. If you’re lucky enough to score an invitation to a traditional hunt, don’t miss the chance to spend a night in the forest, listening to folklore and tales of yore.

When to Go
The length and yield of the white truffle depends, like most harvests, on the weather. But the heart of the season generally starts in early October and runs until late November. Each year, the city of Alba hosts the La Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo di Alba, the International Alba White Truffle Fair. Every day, Trifolao make their way to the city to trade their bounty in the world truffle market. 2019 marks the 89th edition of this festive seasonal event. Alba is also the heart of Italy’s premier wine region, the Langhe, so it’s doubly attractive for food and wine lovers. The fair has grown in size and commercial popularity over the last few years, along with the region’s reputation as a gastrotourists dream destination. In 2017, UNESCO recognised Alba as a Creative City of Gastronomy and the Piedmont region boasts more Michelin Star restaurants than in any other region in Italy. It’s also home to Barolo and Barbaresco wines, Nutella, and Ferrero chocolates.

Fun At The Fair
The whole town celebrates the arrival of the autumn season. The Palio degli Asini (a donkey race and parade) is held annually at this time of the year, along with a variety of sports, culinary, arts, and wine-related activities. Kids are always welcome and are a key feature in the Palio parades; a wonderful way to pass medieval traditions to the younger generation. The streets buzz with excitement and are permeated with the sweet smell of roasted chestnuts. Be prepared when entering the fair’s hall, your senses are likely to be overloaded! There are cooking exhibitions, wine tastings, and a large variety of local producers hawking olive oils, an immense variety of cheeses, different flavours of honey, pastas, amazing mushrooms, and desserts.

The Main Attraction
In the centre of the hall, Trifolai and other distributors exhibit and sell the coveted truffle. Here, you can truly appreciate their different shapes and sizes, and it’s always exciting to see the yearly truffle champion. Prices fluctuate daily, based on supply and demand. 2018 was an abundant crop and prices fell substantially from prior years. The black truffle is more common and well known, but the intensity and flavour of the white truffle is superior to its summer cousin. Typically, black truffles are mixed into dishes to enhance flavour. The white truffle, however, is consumed as a delicate condiment. While many restaurants create complex and exquisite dishes with white truffles, it’s best served with simple ingredients that don’t overshadow its complex flavour. Take your cue from the locals and enjoy shaved white truffle “uova occhi di bue” (over two fried eggs, sunny side up), “tajarin” (over egg pasta noodles with a pat of butter), “tartare di carne” (over veal tartare, mixed only with olive oil, salt, and pepper), and “fonduta” (over cheese fondue).

ALBA TRAVEL TIPS:

Spend 2-3 days in the city of Alba. The English-speaking local tourist office can provide you with a complete list of the hotels, attractions and restaurants in town and can help you to make reservations.
While at the fair, buy a truffle (or a couple!), Then go to the food stand and order one of the basic dishes, such as fried eggs, pasta, cheese fondue, or the veal tartare, and the attendant will happily shave your truffle over the dish for you. For the full experience, take your food tray to the wine desk, where a sommelier will suggest a magnificent bottle to enjoy with your truffle!
Looking to travel onward from Alba? Rent a car or take the train to surrounding towns such as Turin, Asti, Costiglione or San Damiano. If you have wheels there are a multitude of towns inside a 2-hour drive, such as the Ligurian Port of Savona, Parma, the food capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, and Asti, home of the famous Vino spumante. The town of Barolo, (yes, that Barolo!) is a short drive from Alba, where a visit to the Barolo Wine Museum, Museo del vino a Barolo, is a must. It’s located in the same castle where the Barolo wine was born.

The International Alba White Truffle Fair is back from 6 October to 25 November fieradeltartufo.org/en/

What appeals to you about bringing modern Australian flavours to Singapore?
The diversity of modern Australian cuisine is perfect for Singapore. It has a harmonious mix of cultures, and a well-travelled population that knows their food and is open to trying new things.

What flavours can diners expect at CHEEK BISTRO?
The flavours are still very similar to Cheek by Jowl. Diners can expect the fresh, eclectic flavours known to modern Australian cuisine, combined with the comforting, hearty notes of bistro cooking.

What are your goals for CHEEK?
We wanted a restaurant where our diners, many of whom have become friends, can return several times a week to enjoy their favourite dishes. We take our work seriously at the restaurant, but we don’t want our diners to feel dining at CHEEK is a serious affair. That is why both the menu and interiors are designed to be approachable, and the price is accessible.

What did it mean to be awarded Michelin stars?
It is an affirmation of the work we do. When we transition to CHEEK however, it meant that the restaurant no longer holds the Michelin Stars we earned in the last two years. But we are alright with that, because at the end of the day, our diners come first, and being able to offer them new dining experiences is what we continually push ourselves to do.

What are the joys and challenges of working together as a couple?
The joys are that we get to spend more time with each other than most couples do. Food and beverage is a tough industry and the hours can be difficult. Being able to work alongside each other helps us manage that. Also, being able to discuss our common passion for hospitality is something that we really enjoy as well. There aren’t too many challenges. We may not always see eye to eye, but it’s all about remaining professional, and respecting boundaries.

How do you balance kitchen life with family life?
We tend to spend Sundays at home, inviting friends over, having a BBQ, drinking some wine, and listening to records. Usually after work finishes, we rarely talk about work and save that for the next day.

How did you meet?
We first met 14 years ago when we were both working in a family run restaurant in the suburbs of Melbourne. It was a Greek restaurant called Lindos, and it was owned and operated by a husband and wife team. It was my first proper job in a restaurant – I was making wood-fired pizza. It was also at Lindos where Manuela started her first full time job as a supervisor.

What are your respective backgrounds?
My family is from Colombo in Sri Lanka, and I was born there. My parents owned a catering business, so I was always around food. At 18, I left Sri Lanka and travelled to Melbourne to study architecture. I ended up changing course and pursued culinary arts. Manuela has always enjoyed hospitality and wines, and has experience in fine dining restaurants in both Melbourne and Sydney. We always wanted to progress and open something of our own.

What part of Australia do you call home?
Melbourne is home in Australia as I spent my first eight years there, and it’s where close family and friends live. All my higher education was completed in Melbourne.

What is it about Aussie food that’s so good?
The cuisine is an eclectic mix of cooking influences and ingredients from across cultures. Compared to more established cuisines with defined parameters, there are fewer boundaries when it comes to Australian cuisine, which in turn provides chefs more freedom to explore and express their creativity.

What’s great about Singapore’s food scene?
In Singapore, you can step out anytime and still get something good to eat. That is particularly important for us in the food and beverage industry, because we work late on most days. Also, the variety is amazing. It’s a great place for chefs to explore Asian food and flavours.

Rishi rates:
Restaurants: Some of our favourites would be Imperial Treasure for their Peking duck, Burnt Ends and CURE.
Drinking: When it comes to wines, we usually visit Le Bon Funk, LQV Le Quinze Vins Singapore and Wine RVLT. We also go to Operation Dagger, Jigger & Pony, Native, and Manhattan for drinks.
Coffee: The Lokal and Common Man Coffee Roasters are our go-to for coffee.
Hawker dish? Bak Chor Mee.

What do you love most about playing the Genie?
That I get to act like a giant kid every night, make people laugh and have fun. I‘ve always been told “laughter is the best medicine”, and I truly believe that!

Describe the cast chemistry?
The cast and crew of Aladdin is like one big family. We are so unbelievably close and have such an amazing chemistry which translates onstage.

Favourite moment for your character on stage?
The opening number of the show: Arabian Nights. It’s the first time the audience gets to see the magical world that is Agrabah, and I act like the private tour guide into this mysterious, yet fabulous city.

Why has Aladdin stood the test of time?
Because of the amazing storyline, the fact that each character goes on a journey to make them a better person, and also the friendships and bonds that are formed between each character.

Three wishes you would grant yourself?
1. For my family and friends to be healthy and happy in their lives.
2. That the world could be a better place for everyone.
3. To eat whatever I want and not have to worry about the consequences.

How do you have fun outside the show?

My biggest passion outside of the show is sleep! The role of Genie is very taxing on the mind and body, so I do enjoy my rest and relaxation times. But apart from that, I enjoy getting out to see live music and enjoying good food with friends.

What do you miss most about Australia on the road?
My family and friends. They are my biggest supporters and being away from them for extended periods of time can be really tough. The great thing is knowing that my “Aladdin family” are always there if I need someone to rely on!

What do you want to do in Singapore?
I’m excited to get some good Chilli Crab and delicious Xiao Long Bao when I arrive!!

You’ve done cruise ship work – what’s been your favourite port?
I have done cruise ship work! It was such a special part of my life that allowed me to see some extraordinary places. My all-time favourite place would have to be Copenhagen, Denmark. It was one of the most stunning cities I’ve ever explored!

Aladdin, The Hit Broadway Musical
Breathtaking sets, jaw-dropping special effects, over 300 lavish costumes and a fabulous cast bring the magic of Disney’s Aladdin to life on stage. You’ll be singing along to all the songs from the classic Academy award winning film, including Friend Like Me, and A Whole New World. Tickets from $68, Sistic.