SINGAPORE – More than 80 bakeries, hawker stalls and restaurants have been recognised in this year’s Heritage Heroes Awards, which puts the spotlight on time-honoured eateries that preserve local culinary traditions.

Now in its third edition, the annual listing is organised by Slow Food (Singapore), a non-profit organisation that is dedicated to preserving heritage dishes and ingredients, celebrating food culture and traditions, protecting diversity and championing responsible consumption.

New this year is the Heritage Restaurant category, which recognises restaurants that have been whipping up traditional food for at least 30 years.

Fifty-two restaurants have been awarded in this category, and the recipients include Islamic Restaurant in North Bridge Road, which serves briyani; Spring Court Restaurant in Upper Cross Street, which serves Singapore Chinese food; Indian restaurant Ananda Bhavan in Syed Alwi Road; and the Russo-Hainanese Shashlik Restaurant in Orchard Road.

For heritage bakeries and confectioneries, 33 shops have been lauded. They include Chin Mee Chin in East Coast Road and Hainan Xiao Chi in Toa Payoh Lorong 7.

Slow Food (Singapore) is the local outpost of the Slow Food International Association in Italy, which was founded in 1989 by Italian journalist Carlo Petrini.

Mr Daniel Chia, president of Slow Food (Singapore), says: “The Heritage Heroes Awards aim to identify and raise awareness of local food vendors and establishments that prepare Singapore’s cherished heritage foods, thus preserving these foods for our current and future generations.”

This article was first published on Nov 22, 2016.
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