The Culinary Grande Dames Menu at Clifford Pier, 80 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049326

In conjunction with SG50 in the month of August only, I had a taste of Singapura as it is during a dinner hosted by notable local F&B personality Shermay Lee. She shared her passion for Singapore’s culinary history with her ‘Singapore’s Culinary Grande Dames Menu’ by lending her expertise in traditional cuisine for the second time to curate a selection of dishes from three grande dames of Singaporean and Peranakan cooking – Mrs. Lee Chin Koon, Mrs. Leong Yee Soo and Mrs. Ellice Handy.

The menu of eight dishes is based on recipes from each of these iconic women whose well-worn cookbooks have served as a guide to conquering the kitchen for many generations of Singaporeans.

First, we had our hands full trying to create Mrs Lee's Peranakan Popiah ($26 for 2), which came with bakwa slices, that is rather unusual. The Peranakan version also had a slightly darker filling.

We also had Mrs Handy's Fish Kedgeree ($26), which was a delight with the sauces and arh char.

We tried 3 dark stewed meat type of dishes in succession, which I think is quite representative of Peranakan/Nonya cuisine. There was Mrs Handy's Itek Sio (braised duck) ($26), Mrs Leong's Cantonese beef cheek stew ($26) as well as Mrs Lee's Babi Chin ($23). All intensely flavoured and just great with white rice, paired with some of that delicious pineapple chutney!

Mrs Leong's Chicken Almond-Cashew Curry ($23) was delicious but at this point I was kinda gravy-ed out.

Mrs Leong's Fish Curry ($23) was fragrant and chock full of spices, ingredients and flavour.

Lastly we had the Singapore Heritage Desserts ($13), made with Marie Biscuit Cake, Coconut Fruit & Nut Bar, Kaya Roll and Rose Bandung Macaron. What a trip down memory lane with these old school flavours!

I am so happy to have tried so many great dishes that is representative of Singapore's food culture. If not for passionate foodies like Shermay who made the effort to contemporarize and continue the tradition of these food that we grew up with, they will probably be lost in history. Cheers to that!


The Clifford Pier
The Fullerton Bay Hotel
80 Collyer Quay, Singapoer 049326
Mon - Thu: 11:30 - 00:00, Fri: 11:30 - 01:00
+65 65975266

Thanks to Clifford Pier, Shermay and Ate Communications for the invite.