September 10, 2004

Singapore Food Festival to share the island’s culture through food

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Singapore Students' Association at Purdue University will sponsor its second annual Singapore Food Festival from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18, at the International Center.

"Food is an important part of the Singapore culture," said Zaizhuang Cheng, president of the Purdue Singapore Students' Association. "It's hard to mention one without the other. This works out well, as what better way is there for hungry college students to learn about our unique island than through food?"

Singapore's cuisine evolved from the many cultures that have lived together on the island for decades.

"Many dishes originate from India, China, Malaysia and other countries in the region, but they have since been transformed – or 'Singaporeanized,'" said Cheng, a junior in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering from Singapore.

The Singapore Food Festival provides a chance for students and community members to sample classic Singaporean dishes. Some of the many delicacies to be offered include chicken rice, bee hoon (pan-fried vermicelli with vegetables), curry, muah chee (sweet rice dough coated with peanuts) and red bean soup.

The festival also will give visitors a glimpse at Singapore as a tourist destination and a place to live, courtesy of the Singapore Tourism Board.

The Singapore Food Festival is open to the public. Tickets must be purchased to be used as currency at the festival, and cost $1 per ticket, or 15 tickets for $10. Advance tickets are available outside the Class of '50 Lecture Hall from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 14-16. Tickets also will be sold the day of the festival at the International Center, 523 Russell St.

Writer: Reni Winter, (765) 496-3133, rwinter@purdue.edu

Source: Derrick Ko, Purdue Singapore Students' Association member, dko@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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