Latinada 2019 will see 11 chefs, 12 restaurants and 13 events across a week of festivities that celebrate the culinary and cultural diversity of Latin America
SINGAPORE, 7 August 2019 – Bigger, Better, Bolder: these are the things you can expect at the second installation of LATINADA, Singapore’s first Latin American Food Festival. The brainchild of Peruvian chef Daniel Chavez, who helms the OLA Kitchen Group, LATINADA was borne out of a desire to showcase the cuisine and traditions from notable regions of Latin America – where his roots lie. The annual festival will run from 8 September to 16 September this year and chefs from Peru, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Chile will come together in a series of events that will whisk your palates away on a Latino adventure.
“I believe now is the time for Latin American cuisine to be exposed in this region. There is a misconception that Latin American cuisine is mainly Mexican and Peruvian, and that is what we hope to change with LATINADA. Together with the chefs who have the same desire and with the success of the first LATINADA on our backs, I’m confident that LATINADA 2019 will be able to further raise the profile of Latin America, by presenting the wonderful flavours of the region and the warmth of Latino hospitality,” says Daniel.
The week-long festival will kick off with “Domingo Tropical!” at Camp Kilo, with the Charcoal Club transforming into a bustling scene at a mini street food festival. Think Latin street favourites like tacos, roasted pork, ceviche and themed cocktails, coupled with hot Latin beats and salsa dancing, and you’ll find yourself transported to Latin America for the night.
The party continues at other Kilo concepts later in the festival. Chef Christian Encina of Pica takes over the kitchen and grills at Kilo Kitchen for a traditional Chilean barbeque – the asado – an important part of life at Chile, where family and friends gather to share hearty meals. Then get set for a gastronomic journey at “Noche Caribeña”, where co-founder of Kilo Kitchen, Josh Adjodha, will present a slew of dishes and cocktails inspired by the diverse islands of The Central Americas. Lastly, Chef Manel Valero and Daniel will team up for a “Latino Tapas Party”, with a curated menu of small plates served communal style, setting the stage for great conversations in a casual dining environment.
At Kilo Lounge, the dance floor will be open to all at “Rumba Latina!”, with a live band and DJ drumming up the atmosphere with sounds of Latin America – Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Latin Pop and more! Jive to the beat with a cocktail in hand and perhaps a decadent late-night snack in the other, as Daniel and Chef Tamara Chavez work up your appetites with Latin sandwiches served till 2am.
Over in the heart of the city’s financial district at OLA Cocina Del Mar, Daniel, Tamara and Chef Ricardo Luján will showcase their heritage through “Tacos, Tacos, Tacos”, serving up varieties of the traditional Mexican dish. OLA will also play host to “Barra Latina Nikkei”, a Nikkei dinner, with Peruvian-Japanese plates by Chef Edwin Guzman of Aji in Macau.
Take a breather from all that partying with “Movimiento Preludio”, a contemporary 4-hands dinner with Columbian Chef Fernando Arévalo of Preludio and Edwin. The menu will showcase both chefs’ interpretations of Latin American flavours inspired in black and white – a monochromatic break from the festival’s vibrance, in style but not in taste.
An exciting line-up awaits at Asia’s first Peruvian Cevicheria, TONO Cevicheria. Expect the culinary diversity of Latin America to shine through with “Cuban Night”, as it pays tribute to the tastes of Cuba with traditional dishes like Moros y Cristianos and Lobster Empanadas. Then, be wowed by the flavours of Peru and Mexico at “PeruMexico”, with classics such as Ceviche Norteño and Costilla Cargada Con Esquites. Lastly, revel in the array of Mexican street food over the weekend at “Mexican Brunch”, with favourites such as Tacos Al Pastor and Tamales De Pollo Con Mole Verde.
Ending off the week-long celebration is a decadent 6-hands dinner titled “Our Journey Back Home”, which will take guests on a culinary journey back to the childhood memories of BoCHINche’s Chef Patron Diego Jacquet, Ivan Brehm, Chef-Owner of Nouri and Daniel. The three South American chefs will whip up a 5-course menu showcasing signatures from their home countries, closing the food festival on a high.
Tickets for the various culinary events can be purchased at www.ola.kitchen/latinada