Foodies in Singapore are rising to the challenge of supporting Australian food and beverage businesses.
A month-long gastronomic showcase – dubbed 'MakanOzStyle' – is running to 4 May. It invites diners to savour specially curated all-Australian menus at seven restaurants across Singapore.
Launched in April, MakanOzStyle is designed to highlight the best of Australian produce. It also celebrates the reopening of Australia's international borders.
Austrade partnered with the Accor Group and the Australian High Commission in Singapore to create the experience.
Aussie feast for foodies
The promotion takes place at Accor restaurants SKAI, The Cliff, Racines, KweeZeen, Xperience, Taste and Winestone.
Local buyers, media and local food influencers attended the opening night launch. They were among the first to experience a curated tasting menu where each restaurant presented a signature dish.
'MakanOzStyle is about bringing the best of Australian produce to Singapore through a spectacular dining experience,' says Amelia Walsh, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Austrade Singapore.
'Australians and Singaporeans share a love of great food and wine. Australia has some of the best produce in the world. We are incredibly proud to share it with Singapore through great Aussie exporters, local Aussie chefs, restaurants and grocers.
'MakanOzStyle gives Singaporeans a fun and exciting way to experience Australia before they jump on a plane to discover the rest of what we have to offer.'
Showcasing premium produce to a discerning audience
Singapore is Australia's largest trade and investment partner in the ASEAN region. The country is Australia's sixth largest trade and investment partner. Two-way trade reached A$27 billion in 2020.
Australia's exports to Singapore grew more than 13% in 2020–21. This was despite the disruptions to supply chains caused by the pandemic. Exports of wine, dairy and barley increased during this period.
A challenge from the High Commission
MakanOzStyle began in June 2021 with a video posted on LinkedIn by Australia's High Commissioner to Singapore, Will Hodgman.
In the video, he challenged 'Team Australia' in the island-state to 'order in some great Australian produce and support Australian businesses.'
What became known as the 'MakanOzStyle' challenge —makan is a Malay term for 'eat' —has taken off in a big way. So far, 7,900 people have seen Mr Hodgman's video.
The initiative has helped people discover new restaurants and suppliers.
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