Was invited to my colleague’s Wedding Lunch at Conrad Centennial Singapore last Sunday. At the entrance a large stuffed teddy bear caught my attention as I proceeded up to the second floor to register my attendance. Checked which table number I am assigned to and dropped in the Ang Bao (红包) or red envelope into the collection box. A total of four tables (of 10s) were set aside for current and ex colleagues with many dressed to the nines for the occasion. After the cocktail reception outside the ballroom, we proceeded to our allocated table. As I was the first to be seated, I got to choose one facing the stage where all the activities will be happening.
In front of me is a Wedding Favour enclosed in a red and gold cardboard box. Inside are two squares of chocolate with one being orange flavour. Got a cup of Chinese tea, a glass of red wine and passionfruit drink from the wait staff.
When the time comes for the Luncheon to be served, I was wondering why they did not remove the bowl of flowers on the lazy susan which is the norm so the dishes can be placed there. Turned out the staffs just bypassed the wedding guests and brought the dishes straight to the serving station to be portioned into individual serving plates. Contradictory to the fact that the chefs spent much time on the presentation of the food; ended up the diners never even got a glimpse of it. I would love to see the medley of different appetizers arranged on the Happiness Platter but all we got was this miserable small plate of crispy shrimp ball, tea glazed smoked duck, chicken moneybag dumpling and marinated baby octopus all lumped together. Don’t they know, nowadays the camera eats first. Presentation aside, the items were actually pretty tasty.
The highlight of the lunch must be this Lobster Broth in Mini Pumpkin served in a small pumpkin bowl. The slightly starchy broth is choked full of chunky lobster meat, braised with fish maw, conpoy, bamboo pith and you get to dig out the soft and sweet pumpkin flesh.
