$65 per pax | Meeting point: Exhibition entrance of Amazônia: Photographs by Sebastião Salgado in the basement
A bite-sized taster into understanding food cultures and relations in the Amazon by Russell Nathan and Ivan Brehm
For centuries, Indigenous communities in the Amazon have lived symbiotically with their environment, tapping on a rich tapestry of seasonal flavours and nutrients which are foraged, harvested or hunted sustainably. Besides providing sustenance, food has also been essential in their celebration of mythology, tradition and rituals.
Crafted in a similar spirit, this programme takes participants on a visual and gastronomic journey to understand the food heritage of the Amazonian communities, uncovering the sacred significance in what we might ordinarily believe to be mundane in food. It reintroduces the humble manioc, also known as cassava, a staple food crop in the Amazon that is widely used in Singapore cuisine as well. By posing a timely reminder of the sanctity of food in this age of excess, this programme seeks to encourage an appreciation for the natural world and suggests some ways to co-exist with it.
The programme will start with a guided tour of our special exhibition, Amazônia: Photographs by Sebastião Salgado, to discover the consumption practices of some communities within the Amazon rainforest. Thereafter, participants will be introduced to more conscious and sustainable means of consumption in the Singapore context through a cooking demonstration of two tasters with the cassava as a key ingredient. On top of sampling the two delectable snacks, all participants will also be entitled to a complementary welcome drink inspired by Amazônia.
Allergen information: Ingredients used in this programme include dairy, alliums, poultry and nuts.
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About the Chefs
Russell Nathan
Russell’s work has taken him to acclaimed restaurants in the United Kingdom, Japan, Vietnam, Denmark and Belgium. Having settled closer to home in sunny Singapore, his last venture in the kitchen was as the head chef at Nouri. Since then, he has transitioned to working as a freelance food and beverage consultant, focusing on food sustainability and regenerative practices. His latest project was at Analogue Initiative, ranked one of world’s 50 Best Bars, where he designed and implemented a low-waste circular menu. Russell enjoys a good read, classic movies and long strolls in quiet spaces.
Ivan Brehm
The chef-owner of the Michelin-starred Nouri (established in 2017) and the creative space Appetite (established in 2020) in Singapore, Ivan is known for his thoughtful approach to food and creativity. Central to his work is “crossroads thinking”, a method that emphasises the connections and interdependence of all things. This approach extends beyond cooking, offering a way to foster creativity, innovation and effective team dynamics by showing how diversity, when understood and integrated into a whole, can lead to remarkable outcomes.
This programme is organised in conjunction with AMAZÔNIA: Photographs by Sebastião Salgado and is an exhibition about the Amazonian rainforest and the way of life of its Indigenous people. The exhibition features photographic artworks with male and female nudity, and contains some content, including imagery of dead animals, that some visitors might find challenging.Visitor discretion is advised. Programme is recommended for participants ages 13 and above. Limited spaces available.Kindly note that photos and videos will be taken and may be used for future publicity.