A six-month culinary series celebrating Singapore through taste and togetherness

SINGAPORE, 07 MAY 2025—In celebration of Singapore's 60th birthday, Café Quenino at Artyzen Singapore proudly introduces The Heart of SG60, a six-month culinary campaign that honours the flavours, people, and stories at the heart of the nation. From May to October 2025, this dining series brings together a curated rotation of local chefs, heritage brands, and a celebration of Singapore's diverse culinary identity—inviting guests to rediscover the nation through flavour and shared experience.

Guided by the campaign philosophy “Stay with soul. Dine with purpose. Celebrate Singapore,” the initiative is a tribute to both tradition and transformation. At its heart lies a deep respect for Singapore's multicultural food heritage and the way it continues to unite communities through taste.

Known for its modern interpretation of Singaporean and regional cuisine, Café Quenino blends innovation with tradition in every dish. It is a restaurant rooted in heritage, yet always evolving—making it the perfect setting for a celebration of this kind.

“The Heart of SG60 is more than a series of collaborations—it's a reflection of what we stand for at Artyzen Singapore,” says Marcel NA Holman, General Manager of Artyzen Singapore. “We believe that hospitality is about people, about stories, and about shared experiences. This series gives us the opportunity to honour Singapore's past while working hand-in-hand with the creators shaping its future. It is food made with heart, for a community that means so much to us.”

What sets The Heart of SG60 apart is how each dish is crafted—not as a handoff, but as a true collaboration. Every menu is jointly developed by Café Quenino's culinary team, led by Chef de Cuisine Ma Yee Khang, and each featured partner, blending elements from both kitchens to create dishes that are new, familiar, and full of soul.

The Heart of SG60: A six-month culinary series celebrating Singapore

May marks the beginning of the six-month celebration with Chef Inderpal Singh of Meh'r, winner of MasterChef Singapore Season 4. Known for his bold, expressive flavours, Chef Inderpal collaborates with Café Quenino to present a black pepper kicap manis seafood dish—featuring Meh'r's signature sauce paired with Café Quenino's seafood, cooked to perfection. The pairing is complemented by a crème brûlée infused with Meh'r's house-made bru coffee caramel. Together, these creations bridge refined plating with the soul of Indian-Malay street food, bringing heritage to life through thoughtful reinvention.

June introduces a landmark partnership with the iconic Chin Mee Chin, one of Singapore's oldest nostalgic confectioneries, coinciding with its 100th anniversary. Their beloved kaya—previously available only at their East Coast flagship—makes its debut at Artyzen Singapore through a year-long collaboration. While best known for their nostalgic bakes and sweet treats, Chin Mee Chin also highlights their savoury offerings this month—bringing a new dimension to their heritage menu. For the collaboration, Chin Mee Chin presents a modern interpretation of Hainanese beef brisket, paired with Café Quenino's creamy mashed potatoes—a refreshing take on a timeless classic that bridges heritage and contemporary flair.

 In July, the spotlight turns to Keng Eng Kee Seafood (KEK), a beloved zi char institution known for marrying bold wok flavours with culinary creativity. This month's menu highlights the collaborative flair of KEK's Co-founder and Head Chef Wayne Liew and Café Quenino's Chef Khang, with dishes that reimagine familiar favourites. A standout is the Prawn Toast, filled with KEK's house-made 'Hei Zho' (Teochew crispy prawn rolls) and served atop Café Quenino's deep-fried mantou—a playful, modern interpretation of a traditional snack. KEK's signature salted egg yolk sauce also makes an appearance, adding richness to a dish that offers a contemporary take on the classics. Each creation is a fusion of fire, finesse, and familiarity—capturing the soul of zi char in a whole new light.

August brings a whimsical and nostalgic twist to the series with the arrival of self-taught baker Jie Hui, founder of Goobybakes. Known for her cult-favourite cheese pãos, Jie Hui partners with Café Quenino to create three unique variations—each filled with distinctly local elements like ginger chicken, house-made sambal, and bakkwa. The result is a playful reimagination of familiar flavours, served in a form that feels both comfortingly classic and refreshingly inventive.

To mark Singapore's birthday, August will also feature a one-off collaborative menu co-created by all participating guest chefs. Available for both lunch and dinner, the menu brings together the diverse talents of the campaign into one celebratory spread—spotlighting inventive interpretations of Singaporean favourites, and showcasing the distinct culinary styles that define each chef's journey. Guests will also have the rare opportunity to meet the chefs in person during a special appearance on 1 and 2 August 2025, adding a personal connection to this milestone celebration.

As September unfolds, the series welcomes Abundance, a restaurant and bar concept known for bold, comforting flavours inspired by Taiwanese cuisine with a local twist. One of the highlights is the Taro Pork Belly Bun—a fusion of Taiwanese gua bao and Hakka-style braised pork—served with Café Quenino's house-blend spiced lotus root chips. Also making its exclusive debut at Café Quenino is the Beef Kut Teh Noodle Soup—a distinctive creation that pays tribute to Singapore's culinary diversity. This dish brings together the richness of Taiwan's iconic beef noodles with the soul-soothing depth of local-style bak kut teh, resulting in a hearty bowl that embodies the spirit of cross-cultural collaboration. The partnership is a celebration of convergence, where regional influences and local flavours meet in delicious harmony.

The series culminates in October with Red House Seafood, a pioneer in Nanyang-style seafood cuisine. Their timeless Nonya sauce is elevated through the use of Café Quenino's premium seafood, blending heritage techniques with a contemporary edge to close the campaign on a note that is both classic and evolving.

Two anchor collaborators will remain present throughout the entire campaign. Cake Inspiration, a homegrown pâtisserie, will refresh Café Quenino's high tea experience by providing three signature sweets inspired by local flavours. Meanwhile, Chin Mee Chin's kaya mille-feuille, created by the Café Quenino team, will remain on the menu as a signature dessert—layered with intention, memory, and heart; a true representation of collaboration.

To round out the experience, Café Quenino's Senior Mixologist Sathya presents a bespoke cocktail series inspired by Singapore's beloved neighbourhoods and rituals. Highlights include Made in Chinatown, an earthy tea-based blend that evokes the quiet strength of tradition, and Kaya Toastini, a bittersweet sip reminiscent of kopitiam mornings and nostalgic conversation.

Guests can explore The Heart of SG60 through SG60 lunch sets, à la carte specials, and seasonal high tea offerings—all thoughtfully curated to honour Singapore's past while celebrating the diverse voices shaping its future.

With The Heart of SG60, Café Quenino invites all to gather around the table—to taste, reflect, and celebrate the beauty of heritage made new.

EVENT DETAILS

The Heart of SG60: A Celebration of Culture, Cuisine and Comfort
Date: From 6 May to 31 October 2025
Time: From 11am to 12 midnight, daily

Website: https://www.artyzen.com/en/hotels/artyzen-singapore/offers/the-heart-of-sg60

Reservations:
Email: cafe.quenino@artyzenhotels.com
Phone: +65 6371 6020
WhatsApp: +65 9851 2246