- Title: SINGAPORE: British chef Gordon Ramsay prepares for Singapore cook-off
- Date: 5th July 2013
- Summary: SINGAPORE (JULY 5, 2013) (REUTERS) CROWD SURROUNDING BRITISH CHEF GORDON RAMSAY RAMSAY STANDING IN FRONT OF CHICKEN RICE STALL RAMSAY TALKING TO CROWD VARIOUS OF RAMSAY WALKING AWAY RAMSAY SITTING ON TABLE RAMSAY SPEAKING TO MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH CHEF, GORDON RAMSAY, SAYING: "Today, I think every top chef in the world should become a student. It's the most amazing that could ever happen because you constantly learn. I saw something in there already this morning that I love." RAMSAY SPEAKING TO MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH CHEF, GORDON RAMSAY, SAYING: "I love a challenge. I hate playing safe. I love the vulnerability. And I think more than anything, there are some very talented chefs here. And this is not about me thinking I'm better than them." CROWD IN FRONT OF STALL RAMSAY WALKING INTO CHICKEN RICE STALL VARIOUS OF RAMSAY CHOPPING UP CHICKEN TIAN TIAN CHICKEN RICE OWNER, FOO KUI LIAN, SPEAKING TO REPORTER BADGE ON FOO READING "VOTE FOR ME" (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) OWNER OF TIAN TIAN CHICKEN RICE , FOO KUI LIAN , SAYING: "I don't worry about winning or losing. It's about learning from each other." VARIOUS OF CROWD OUTSIDE HAWKER CENTRE (SOUNDBITE) (English) LOCAL STUDENT, OLIVER TAN, SAYING: "That's a tough question. I would say, he would definitely put his own unique spin onto it. Make it a bit more glamorous, maybe a bit more gourmet. But I think the Singaporeans will still come out on top, because we have this unique style and flavour." VARIOUS OF RAMSAY HOLDING A TRAY VARIOUS OF RAMSAY EATING CHICKEN RICE
- Embargoed: 20th July 2013 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Singapore
- Country: Singapore
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA45FVTL1A0314HG9O06W7NCPSU
- Story Text: Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay spent some time with popular Singapore chicken rice street food vendors, referred to as "hawkers" on Friday (July 5), prior to a cookoff.
Crowds gathered around Tian Tian chicken rice stall near Singapore's Chinatown to witness Ramsay learn about one of the most popular dishes in the country.
Ramsay will go against some of Singapore's most-loved hawkers, including Foo Kui Lian, who owns the chicken rice stall.
Ramsay sampled the food and picked up some tips on cooking and serving the dish.
"Today, I think every top chef in the world should become a student. It's the most amazing that could ever happen because you constantly learn. I saw something in there already this morning that I love," Ramsay said about being the student instead of a teacher.
The 46-year-old took up the challenge of going against three of the top Singapore street food vendors in an event organised by a group of Singapore's food bloggers as well as SingTel, the city-state's biggest telecom service provider.
Besides the chicken rice, Ramsay will also have to cook the chili crab, and laksa, a thick spicy coconut noodles broth.
"I love a challenge. I hate playing safe. I love the vulnerability. And I think more than anything, there are some very talented chefs here. And this is not about me thinking I'm better than them," Ramsay added.
Tian Tian chicken rice was chosen as one of Singapore's most popular meals receiving 318,151 votes out of 2.5 million voters.
Foo, whose chicken rice stall had been opened since 1986, said she is happy to be voted, but not worried about winning or losing to Ramsay.
"I don't worry about winning or losing. It's about learning from each other," the 64-year-old said.
Singaporeans hold great pride to their food, and even a fan of Ramsay said he will have difficulty winning the cookout.
"That's a tough question. I would say, he would definitely put his own unique spin onto it. Make it a bit more glamorous, maybe a bit more gourmet. But I think the Singaporeans will still come out on top, because we have this unique style and flavour," said Oliver Tan.
The SingTel Hawker Heroes will take place on Sunday (July 7).
The public will be able to sample the dishes prepared by the three local vendors and Ramsay before voting for their preferred version. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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