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Tag: worlds

  • Amritsari Kulcha, Butter Garlic Naan Rank Among Worlds Top Five Breads

    Amritsari Kulcha, Butter Garlic Naan Rank Among Worlds Top Five Breads

    Two iconic Indian breads have secured top spots in the prestigious Taste Atlas 2024-25 list of the ‘100 Best Foods by Category‘. Out of 15,478 catalogued foods, based on 477,287 valid ratings, Amritsari Kulcha and Butter Garlic Naan earned the highest average scores in the ‘Bread’ category. Indian breads are central to the country’s culinary heritage, with diverse types found across every region. From naans to parathas, these breads are integral to daily meals, often paired with curries, dals, or vegetable dishes. Typically made from whole wheat or refined flour, they are traditionally cooked in a tandoor (clay oven) or on griddles. Various textures and flavours make Indian bread globally loved and appreciated.

    Also Read: 5 Indian Bread Recipes That Don’t Need A Tandoor Or An Oven

    Butter Garlic Naan – Ranked 3rd in the World

    With a rating of 4.60, Butter Garlic Naan takes the third spot on the Taste Atlas list. This soft, pillowy flatbread is flavoured with butter and garlic, and it pairs perfectly with a wide variety of Indian curries and dals. Baked in a tandoor, the bread’s buttery richness and garlic aroma make it a global favourite. Whether served alongside a classic butter chicken or enjoyed on its own, Butter Garlic Naan continues to capture the attention of food enthusiasts from all corners of the world.

    Earlier, Butter Garlic Naan secured the 7th spot in TasteAtlas’ list of the 100 ‘Best Dishes in the World’ for 2023-24.

    Add image caption here

    Indian cuisine offers a variety of breads. 

    Amritsari Kulcha – Ranked 5th in the World

    Amritsari Kulcha, a famous bread from Punjab, clinched the fifth spot on the global list with a rating of 4.65. Known for its crispy, flaky texture and savoury filling, usually made with mashed potatoes and spices, this bread is cooked in a tandoor for that perfect crunch. Traditionally served with Chole (spicy chickpeas) and a dollop of butter, Amritsari Kulcha has earned a place in the hearts (and bellies) of food lovers worldwide.

    While Indian breads have claimed their top spots this year, the other breads on the list are equally deserving of recognition. Pan de Bono from Colombia also takes one of the top spots in the Taste Atlas ranking. It is a light, cheesy bread that’s perfect for snacking. Roti Canai, a popular flatbread from Malaysia, ranks second with its crispy exterior and soft interior, typically paired with curry. Up there is also Pane di Altamura from Italy, a rustic, flavourful bread made with durum wheat flour.

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  • New Zealand scientists suspect specimen of world’s rarest whale died from head injuries

    New Zealand scientists suspect specimen of world’s rarest whale died from head injuries

    MELBOURNE, Australia — Scientists suspect the first complete specimen ever recorded of the world’s rarest whale died from head injuries, an expert said Friday.

    The first dissection of a spade-toothed whale, a type of beaked whale, was completed last week after a painstaking examination at a research center near the New Zealand city of Dunedin, the local people who led the scientific team, Te Rūnanga Ōtākou, said in a statement issued by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.

    A near-perfectly preserved 5-meter (16-foot) male was found washed up on a South Island beach in July. It was the first complete specimen ever recorded. There have only been seven known sightings and never of a living spade-toothed whale.

    New Zealand conservation agency beaked whale expert Anton van Helden said the whale’s broken jaw and bruising to the head and neck led scientists to believe that head trauma may have caused its death.

    “We don’t know, but we suspect there must have been some sort of trauma, but what caused that could be anyone’s guess,” van Helden said in a statement.

    All varieties of beaked whales have different stomach systems and researchers didn’t know how the spade-toothed type processed its food.

    The scientific team found the specimen had nine stomach chambers containing remnants of squid and parasitic worms, the statement said.

    Among the more interesting finds were tiny vestigial teeth in the upper jaw.

    “These little teeth embedded in the gum tells us something about their evolutionary history. It’s remarkable to see this and it’s just another thing that we had no idea about,” van Helden said.

    “It’s a week I’ll never forget in my life, it’s certainly a highlight and it’s the start of the storytelling around this beautiful animal,” van Helden added.

    The dissection was also notable because scientists and curators worked together with local Māori people to incorporate Indigenous knowledge and customs into each step of the process.

    Following the dissection, the local iwi, or tribe, will keep the jawbone and teeth of the whale before its skeleton is displayed in a museum. 3D printing will be used to replicate those parts retained by the iwi.

    To Māori, whales are a taonga -– a precious treasure -– and the creature has been treated with the reverence afforded to an ancestor.

    New Zealand is a whale-stranding hotspot, with more than 5,000 episodes recorded since 1840, according to the Department of Conservation.

    The first spade-toothed whale bones were found in 1872 on New Zealand’s Pitt Island. Another discovery was made at an offshore island in the 1950s, and the bones of a third were found on Chile’s Robinson Crusoe Island in 1986.

    ___

    Associated Press writer Charlotte Graham-McLay in Wellington, New Zealand, contributed to this report.

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  • Scientists gather to decode puzzle of the world’s rarest whale in ‘extraordinary’ New Zealand study

    Scientists gather to decode puzzle of the world’s rarest whale in ‘extraordinary’ New Zealand study

    WELLINGTON, New Zealand — It is the world’s rarest whale, with only seven of its kind ever spotted. Almost nothing is known about the enigmatic species. But on Monday a small group of scientists and cultural experts in New Zealand clustered around a near-perfectly preserved spade-toothed whale hoping to decode decades of mystery.

    “I can’t tell you how extraordinary it is,” said a joyful Anton van Helden, senior marine science adviser for New Zealand’s conservation agency, who gave the spade-toothed whale its name to distinguish it from other beaked species. “For me personally, it’s unbelievable.”

    Van Helden has studied beaked whales for 35 years, but Monday was the first time he has participated in a dissection of the spade-toothed variety. In fact, the careful study of the creature — which washed up dead on a New Zealand beach in July — is the first ever to take place.

    None has ever been seen alive at sea.

    The list of what scientists don’t know about spade-toothed whales is longer than what they do know. They don’t know where in the ocean the whales live, why they’ve never been spotted in the wild, or what their brains look like. All beaked whales have different stomach systems and researchers don’t know how the spade-toothed kind processes its food. They don’t know how this one died.

    Over the next week, researchers studying the 5-meter (16-foot) -long male at an agricultural research center near the city of Dunedin hope to find out.

    “There may be parasites completely new to science that just live in this whale,” said van Helden, who thrilled at the chance of learning how the species produces sound and what it eats. “Who knows what we’ll discover?”

    Only six other spade-toothed whales have ever been found, but all those discovered intact were buried before DNA testing could verify their identification.

    New Zealand is a whale-stranding hotspot, with more than 5,000 episodes recorded since 1840, according to the Department of Conservation. The first spade-toothed whale bones were found in 1872 on New Zealand’s Pitt Island. Another discovery was made at an offshore island in the 1950s, and the bones of a third were found on Chile’s Robinson Crusoe Island in 1986.

    DNA sequencing in 2002 proved that all three specimens were of the same species — and that it was distinct from other beaked whales. But researchers studying the mammal couldn’t confirm whether the species was extinct until 2010, when two whole spade-toothed whales, both dead, washed up on a New Zealand beach. But none has been studied before.

    On Monday, the seventh of its kind, surrounded by white-aproned scientists who were measuring and photographing, appeared relatively unblemished, giving no clue about its death. Researchers pointed out marks from cookiecutter sharks — normal, they said, and not the cause.

    The dissection will be quiet, methodical and slower than usual, because it is being undertaken in partnership with Māori, New Zealand’s Indigenous people. To Māori, whales are a taonga -– a precious treasure -– and the creature will be treated with the reverence afforded to an ancestor.

    Members of the local iwi, or tribe, will be present throughout the dissection and consulted at each turn, allowing them to share traditional knowledge and observe customs, such as saying a karakia -– a prayer -– over the creature before the study begins.

    “According to our beliefs and our traditions, this whale is a gift of Tangaroa, deity of the ocean,” said Tumai Cassidy from the local people Te Rūnanga Ōtākou. “It’s very important for us to respect that gift and to honor the whale.”

    The iwi will keep the jawbone and teeth of the whale at the end of the dissection, before its skeleton is displayed in a museum. 3D printing will be used to replicate those parts, using a CT scan taken of the whale’s head this week.

    “It all builds a richer picture for that species but also tells us how it interacts with our oceans,” Cassidy said.

    It’s thought that spade-toothed whales live in the vast Southern Pacific Ocean, home to some of the world’s deepest ocean trenches. Beaked whales are the ocean’s deepest divers for food, and the spade-toothed may rarely surface, adding to its mystery.

    The assembled scientists on Monday included a few who had traveled from abroad to see the whale, which was put in refrigerated storage after its discovery.

    “What we are interested in is not only how these animals died, but how they lived,” said Joy Reidenberg, a comparative anatomist from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. “In discovering how they live, we are hoping to find discoveries that we can apply back to the human condition.”

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  • Game of Throws: Inside Darts review – captures all the jubilant anarchy of one of the world’s greatest sports | Television

    Is darts the best sport in the world? If it isn’t, it’s certainly a heavyweight contender and it’s bang in form, with the coming of the current golden age confirmed during the extraordinary 2024 PDC World Championship. Game of Throws, a three-part reminiscence about those three dramatic weeks in London a year ago, successfully bottles the moment.

    More of a collective mania than a game, darts asks participants to throw tiny metal spikes at targets the width of a fingertip from more than two metres away, a ludicrously difficult discipline that requires years of diligent practice. Wins and losses are measured in millimetres. So one might expect elite tournaments to take place in a reverential hush, like chess or snooker. But no: the major career landmarks of darts pros happen in cacophonous halls full of drunk punters in fancy dress.

    Game of Throws correctly celebrates darts as a working-class festival, a supersize cartoon of the ideal British pub: somehow the blokes in the corner, playing a fiendish game to impossible standards, fit right in to a room stuffed with steaming revellers. The crowd at Alexandra Palace, home of the PDC, are silly and free, turning up to the party dressed as chickens, superheroes, penguins and Uncle Albert from Only Fools and Horses; uniquely in sport, the most popular chant, bellowed while the players are trying to concentrate, is “stand up if you love the darts”, a song for the shared experience rather than any particular player.

    That this jubilant anarchy enhances the game rather than spoiling it is a miracle because, for the players, darts is unforgiving. Game of Throws starts by following Kevin Doets, a part-timer from the Netherlands who checks into a poky Airbnb not far from the venue before his first-round match, where defeat will mean the loss of his professional tour card. Victory, meanwhile, promises the sum of £15,000. Steeling himself as his anxious father and bullish mother look on, Doets wins.

    Modern darts has been known to break its big stars. An admirably frank interview is given in the second episode by James “the Machine” Wade, whose diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and bipolar disorder has helped to explain two occasions in televised matches where he clouded over, lost the will to throw and ended the game in tearful defeat. For Nathan “the Asp” Aspinall, problems with his wrist and back – darts may not look like a physical test, but you try leaning forward on one leg for hours at a time – have been compounded by “dartitis”, the sport’s equivalent of the “yips” in golf: a psychological condition where the brain refuses to let the hand release the dart.

    Darts can be a dark place, although in a literal sense it’s a brightly lit place full of people in nun costumes carrying trays with 22 pints of beer on them. But the mental battles are what make it compelling. To throw without wavering demands total self-belief. Maintaining that is supremely hard, which creates a singular, lurching suspense, especially when the sport is blessed with a talented generation of players.

    As the 2024 championship begins, the leader of the new generation is “Cool Hand” Luke Humphries, a mild-mannered 28-year-old from Crewe who has not won this title before, but has won every other big trophy in the season just gone. He lacks the outlandish charisma darts fans favour, but soon, Humphries is no longer the story. Among the unknown outsiders is Warrington’s Luke Littler, who is 16 years old at the time, a fact that becomes increasingly astounding as he progresses through the tournament, smashing established players to pieces.

    With its juicy behind-the-scenes insights, Game of Throws is there for every small moment. Littler can be seen saying “wow” to himself the first time he looks out across a sea of happy, boozy people waiting for him to play. But his debut match has barely got going before the kid, having taken an unassailable lead, is putting on a show, waving in time to the “oy, oy, oy” of the crowd singing the darts anthem Chase the Sun, and celebrating hitting a double by miming heading a football into a net.

    After the game, Littler’s dad, who spent years driving around Britain to youth competitions in the hope that his hunch about his son was correct, is as stunned as anyone: he knew his boy was good, but this is ridiculous. As Littler blazes towards his destined final against Humphries, beginning a rivalry that looks like it will define the sport for the next decade, we are there to see a superstar born – and to see darts take its game to a new level.

    Game of Throws: Inside Darts aired on Sky Documentaries and is on Now.

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  • Record 70MILLION votes cast in prestigious Dubai Globe Soccer Awards poll with 10 days still to go – as four Premier League players battle the world’s best for player of the year honour

    Record 70MILLION votes cast in prestigious Dubai Globe Soccer Awards poll with 10 days still to go – as four Premier League players battle the world’s best for player of the year honour

    A whopping 70 million votes have been cast in the Beyond Developments Globe Soccer Dubai Awards with 10 days of polling still to go, equalling last year’s record figure already.

    The competition will take place alongside the 19th Dubai International Sports Conference, at Atlantis, The Palm in partnership and support with Dubai Sports Council, on December 27. 

    Four Premier League stars – Rodri, Cole Palmer, Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah – have made it into the shortlist of 18 competitors vying for the Best Men’s Player prize at the glittering gala after half of the league’s representation was cut following the first round of voting.

    Polling opened two weeks ago to football fans across the world. They have until December 10 to have their say and the winners will be determined by a combination of fan votes and the Globe Soccer Jury, made up of legendary names such as Marcello Lippi, Francesco Totti, Iker Casillas and Luis Figo.

    Last year, some 70 million people from more than 225 countries and territories cast their vote.

    But this figure has already been matched just halfway into the ballot period this time round as fans look to have their say on the players of the year from both the men and women’s games.

    A record 70 million votes have already been cast to decide the world's best players at the Beyond Developments Globe Soccer Dubai Awards with Balon d'Or winner Rodri in contention

    A record 70 million votes have already been cast to decide the world’s best players at the Beyond Developments Globe Soccer Dubai Awards with Balon d’Or winner Rodri in contention

    Cole Palmer is one of the hottest talents in the world and has made it into the final shortlist

    Cole Palmer is one of the hottest talents in the world and has made it into the final shortlist

    Mohamed Salah is also in the final 18 as the Egyptian keeps bagging goals for fun at Liverpool

    Mohamed Salah is also in the final 18 as the Egyptian keeps bagging goals for fun at Liverpool

    The first period of polling closed on Monday and more than twice as many votes were cast as at the same point last year.

    Fans’ votes, received from more than 200 countries across the world, helped determine the finalists across eight of the 12 main categories.

    Additionally, the Globe Soccer mobile app has surpassed 1.5 million downloads, underlining the event’s global appeal. 

    Man City’s Rodri will be hoping to replicate his triumph at the Ballon d’Or in Paris last month after winning the Premier League with his club and Euro 2024 with Spain.  

    His teammate Haaland scooped up the prize in Dubai in 2023 and is in with a shout this year after bagging 34 goals.

    Palmer, meanwhile, carried Chelsea on his back last campaign before scoring a memorable goal in the Euro final against Spain. He already has seven goals in 11 Premier League appearances this season.

    Salah’s future at Liverpool might be uncertain but his importance to Arne Slot’s side is not, as the winger’s goals helped the Reds come back from 2-1 down against Southampton on the weekend to secure three points and surge eight points clear at the top of the league. 

    Elsewhere, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior has been offered up an opportunity to put his Ballon d’Or snub behind him and end the season with some silverware. 

    Last year's winner Erling Haaland has continued his form in front of goal and is in with a shout

    Last year’s winner Erling Haaland has continued his form in front of goal and is in with a shout

    Meanwhile Vinicius Junior can make up for his Balon d'Or snub with a memorable win in Dubai

    Meanwhile Vinicius Junior can make up for his Balon d’Or snub with a memorable win in Dubai

    The men's player of the year award features stars from seven leagues and will be given on Dec 27

    The men’s player of the year award features stars from seven leagues and will be given on Dec 27

    Two English stars will be hoping to receive the women's player of the year award next month

    Two English stars will be hoping to receive the women’s player of the year award next month

    After news broke earlier on the day of the Paris ceremony that the selection panel had chosen Rodri as their victor, Real Madrid and Vinicius decided to pull the plug on their trip to the gala, held at the Theatre du Chatelet.

    The Spanish giants had hoped that if their Brazilian forward was not given the nod, right-back Dani Carvajal might be handed the gong after winning La Liga, the Champions League and the Euros. 

    But when it was leaked today that the Man City man  was in fact the winner, Real reacted furiously and not a single club representative was there to watch their team win several honours at the event and their players place highly in the main list.

    Carvajal is also in contention at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards along with teammate and England international Jude Bellingham who secured a league and Champions League double with Los Blancos last season. 

    Old stalwarts Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, winners of seven men’s player of the year awards at the Dubai event over the years, also make the shortlist for their perfomances at Inter Miami and Al Nassr respectively.

    As for best women’s player, Aitana Bonmati will be aiming to follow up her Ballon d’Or nod with another honour here, while English stars Lucy Bronze and Lauren James will be hoping to spring an upset.

    For the official voting page: https://vote.globesoccer.com

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  • I try dining with ‘the world’s tiniest chef’ at Jewel Changi Airport – is this travel-themed culinary experience worth a visit?, Lifestyle News

    I try dining with ‘the world’s tiniest chef’ at Jewel Changi Airport – is this travel-themed culinary experience worth a visit?, Lifestyle News

    I’ve always been the kind of person who can’t enjoy my food to the fullest without finding the perfect video to go with it — the meal just wouldn’t feel as complete or satisfying without it. 

    I usually go for food and travel vlogs because they’re two of my favourite things. 

    It’s a small ritual, but in my opinion, letting my eyes and mind enjoy something just as much as my tastebuds makes the meal so much better. 

    So, when I heard about the new travel-themed Le Petit Chef experience at Jewel Changi Airport, I knew I had to try it for myself.

    What is Le Petit Chef? 

    For those who aren’t familiar, Le Petit Chef is a culinary experience that combines dining with interactive animation, led by a tiny chef who comes in the form of a 6cm projection on one’s plate (thus the name).

    Originating from Belgium, the concept first made its debut in Singapore in 2019 at La Brasserie located in Fullerton Bay Hotel. 

    It has since returned to our sunny shores twice — once in 2022 at Grand Hyatt Singapore and 2023 at Restaurant Espoir before this fourth installment at Jewel Changi Airport. 

    From Nov 29 to April 30, 2025, Le Petit Chef will introduce a new travel-themed concept in collaboration with Changi Airport, using 3D mapping technology to take diners on a culinary adventure with the self-described ‘world’s tiniest chef’. 

    Trying it for myself 

    Having learned about the concept and hype surrounding it, I was even more eager to find out how this experience stood out from its past renditions and whether it would measure up to my expectations. 

    I also wanted to answer the question that is probably on most of our minds — is it worth the price?

    Ambience and vibe 

    Upon entering the dining hall, I got fine-dining vibes from my surroundings. 

    The dim lighting and classy furnishings reminded me of those you’d find in fancy restaurants. 

    But once the dinner show started, the atmosphere shifted into something more lighthearted and fun. 

    Our petit chef, who guided us through our meal, had a witty sense of humour, keeping things fun and engaging even when he was simply explaining the background and origin of each dish (I wish I could say the same about my history teacher back in school).

    I also loved how the background music was matched to each dish we tasted.

    For example, hearing La Vie en Rose play while trying a French dish instantly transported me out of Singapore.

    The 3D mapping technology and animation were nothing short of a visual feast.

    It felt like I was watching a mini theatre performance unfold right on my dining table. And of course — it’s perfect for sharing on social media too.

    The graphics and colours were so captivating that I felt like capturing everything on my phone. 

    But when I took a moment to truly take in the visuals with my own eyes, that’s when I was able to appreciate the magic of the experience. 

    There were also interactive live performances between courses.

    The performers would engage with diners, sometimes incorporating them into the act, which made the entire experience feel even more immersive and personal. 

    These moments bridged the courses nicely — as compared to just sitting around and waiting for the next dish.

    I imagine it would be something fun to talk about with your loved ones after the meal too. 

    Tasting the Classic menu

    The menu I tried was the Classic menu, which included five courses. 

    Matching the travel theme of the entire experience, every dish represented a different country — creating a diverse flavour palette that still melded together nicely. 

    After trying everything, what stood out to me the most was the Deconstructed Cendol dessert. 

    I loved how it was a hands-on experience, and we were actually allowed to ‘play’ with our food, (contrary to what we were always told growing up).

    As everyone was constructing their own desserts to wrap up the meal, I could hear laughter and giggles all around the room.

    It felt like a wholesome moment where we were transported back to our childhood — which I think was very much what the dish was trying to convey with the familiar flavours and old-school toppings like popping candy. 

    However, while I thoroughly enjoyed some of the dishes, there were a few that didn’t quite hit the mark for me personally. 

    One such dish would be the Poached Mekajiki. 

    While the broth and shredded radish were light and refreshing, the swordfish tasted a little too strong and briny for my liking. 

    I thought I was just taken aback by the bold taste and decided to give it another try, but the intensity of the fishy taste was still too pronounced for me to fully enjoy. 

    And that’s coming from a seafood lover. 

    Overall experience 

    All in all, I feel the Le Petit Chef experience as a whole is fantastic if you’re looking for something new, fun and immersive to do with your family and don’t mind the steep price point, which ranges from $198 to $268 per pax ($98 for the kids’ menu).

    Plus, diners can also visit the Changi Experience Studio, which has hands-on games and interactive exhibits, as the ticket comes with free access to it.

    If you’re more particular about food though, you might end up being a little disappointed.

    While the food comes intricately plated and is fun to look at — especially with the animations — most of them taste quite average. 

    So pricewise, you would likely be able to get a better experience at a traditional restaurant. 

    Address: Jewel Changi Airport, Level 4, #04-300, 78 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819666

    Opening hours: 12pm, 3.30pm and 7pm (every Fri to Sun from Nov 29 to April 30, 2025) 

    ALSO READ: I visit Harry Potter: Visions of Magic, here’s why it gave me goosebumps

    carol.ong@asiaone.com

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  • I try dining with ‘the world’s tiniest chef’ at Jewel Changi Airport – is this travel-themed culinary experience worth a visit?, Lifestyle News

    I try dining with ‘the world’s tiniest chef’ at Jewel Changi Airport – is this travel-themed culinary experience worth a visit?, Lifestyle News

    I’ve always been the kind of person who can’t enjoy my food to the fullest without finding the perfect video to go with it — the meal just wouldn’t feel as complete or satisfying without it. 

    I usually go for food and travel vlogs because they’re two of my favourite things. 

    It’s a small ritual, but in my opinion, letting my eyes and mind enjoy something just as much as my tastebuds makes the meal so much better. 

    So, when I heard about the new travel-themed Le Petit Chef experience at Jewel Changi Airport, I knew I had to try it for myself.

    What is Le Petit Chef? 

    For those who aren’t familiar, Le Petit Chef is a culinary experience that combines dining with interactive animation, led by a tiny chef who comes in the form of a 6cm projection on one’s plate (thus the name).

    Originating from Belgium, the concept first made its debut in Singapore in 2019 at La Brasserie located in Fullerton Bay Hotel. 

    It has since returned to our sunny shores twice — once in 2022 at Grand Hyatt Singapore and 2023 at Restaurant Espoir before this fourth installment at Jewel Changi Airport. 

    From Nov 29 to April 30, 2025, Le Petit Chef will introduce a new travel-themed concept in collaboration with Changi Airport, using 3D mapping technology to take diners on a culinary adventure with the self-described ‘world’s tiniest chef’. 

    Trying it for myself 

    Having learned about the concept and hype surrounding it, I was even more eager to find out how this experience stood out from its past renditions and whether it would measure up to my expectations. 

    I also wanted to answer the question that is probably on most of our minds — is it worth the price?

    Ambience and vibe 

    Upon entering the dining hall, I got fine-dining vibes from my surroundings. 

    The dim lighting and classy furnishings reminded me of those you’d find in fancy restaurants. 

    But once the dinner show started, the atmosphere shifted into something more lighthearted and fun. 

    Our petit chef, who guided us through our meal, had a witty sense of humour, keeping things fun and engaging even when he was simply explaining the background and origin of each dish (I wish I could say the same about my history teacher back in school).

    I also loved how the background music was matched to each dish we tasted.

    For example, hearing La Vie en Rose play while trying a French dish instantly transported me out of Singapore.

    The 3D mapping technology and animation were nothing short of a visual feast.

    It felt like I was watching a mini theatre performance unfold right on my dining table. And of course — it’s perfect for sharing on social media too.

    The graphics and colours were so captivating that I felt like capturing everything on my phone. 

    But when I took a moment to truly take in the visuals with my own eyes, that’s when I was able to appreciate the magic of the experience. 

    There were also interactive live performances between courses.

    The performers would engage with diners, sometimes incorporating them into the act, which made the entire experience feel even more immersive and personal. 

    These moments bridged the courses nicely — as compared to just sitting around and waiting for the next dish.

    I imagine it would be something fun to talk about with your loved ones after the meal too. 

    Tasting the Classic menu

    The menu I tried was the Classic menu, which included five courses. 

    Matching the travel theme of the entire experience, every dish represented a different country — creating a diverse flavour palette that still melded together nicely. 

    After trying everything, what stood out to me the most was the Deconstructed Cendol dessert. 

    I loved how it was a hands-on experience, and we were actually allowed to ‘play’ with our food, (contrary to what we were always told growing up).

    As everyone was constructing their own desserts to wrap up the meal, I could hear laughter and giggles all around the room.

    It felt like a wholesome moment where we were transported back to our childhood — which I think was very much what the dish was trying to convey with the familiar flavours and old-school toppings like popping candy. 

    However, while I thoroughly enjoyed some of the dishes, there were a few that didn’t quite hit the mark for me personally. 

    One such dish would be the Poached Mekajiki. 

    While the broth and shredded radish were light and refreshing, the swordfish tasted a little too strong and briny for my liking. 

    I thought I was just taken aback by the bold taste and decided to give it another try, but the intensity of the fishy taste was still too pronounced for me to fully enjoy. 

    And that’s coming from a seafood lover. 

    Overall experience 

    All in all, I feel the Le Petit Chef experience as a whole is fantastic if you’re looking for something new, fun and immersive to do with your family and don’t mind the steep price point, which ranges from $198 to $268 per pax ($98 for the kids’ menu).

    Plus, diners can also visit the Changi Experience Studio, which has hands-on games and interactive exhibits, as the ticket comes with free access to it.

    If you’re more particular about food though, you might end up being a little disappointed.

    While the food comes intricately plated and is fun to look at — especially with the animations — most of them taste quite average. 

    So pricewise, you would likely be able to get a better experience at a traditional restaurant. 

    Address: Jewel Changi Airport, Level 4, #04-300, 78 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819666

    Opening hours: 12pm, 3.30pm and 7pm (every Fri to Sun from Nov 29 to April 30, 2025) 

    ALSO READ: I visit Harry Potter: Visions of Magic, here’s why it gave me goosebumps

    carol.ong@asiaone.com

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  • The world’s longest reigning king so rich he has 1 sports car for every 64 citizens | World | News

    The world’s longest reigning king so rich he has 1 sports car for every 64 citizens | World | News

    With a fleet consisting of over 7,000 luxury sports cars, the Sultan of Brunei might be the richest monarch you have never heard of.

    Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s personal worth is £23 billion, making him richer than any individual monarch in the Gulf or Europe.

    He has ruled the tiny kingdom on the island of Borneo since 1968, when his father abdicated, but he is no ordinary monarch.

    He is also the king, Prime Minister and is said to hold multiple high-ranking positions in defence, finance, and external affairs.

    But the sultan is perhaps most well-known for his decadence. His haircuts cost upwards of $15,000 due to his insistence on flying his barber first class from London each time.

    The tiny state of Brunei has one of the world’s highest living standards, powered by significant oil and gas reserves lying beneath the nation. The country has been a British protectorate since 1888 and was the only territory not to seek independence in what is now known as Malaysia.

    The relationship extends to this day. The sultan trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst before assuming the throne, and the nation has a Battalion of Nepalese soldiers from the British Army’s Royal Regiment of Gurkhas permanently stationed in the country.

    Despite a close diplomatic relationship with the UK, the country promotes a strict interpretation of Islam, in contrast to the extravagance of the sultan and his 12 children’s lives.

    In 2014, Brunei became the first East Asian country to adopt strict Islamic Sharia law, which allows punishment such as stoning for adultery and amputation for theft, and in 2019, it fully implemented a law prescribing death by stoning for adultery and gay sex in certain circumstances.

    The extravagant lifestyle enjoyed by the sultan and his children is beyond most people’s comprehension.

    Birthdays are a serious cause for celebration for the sultan, who once paid Michael Jackson £14 million to perform at his party. The event lasted for two weeks and was attended by the rich and royal from across the globe.

    The sultan lives in the world’s largest residential palace, Istana Nurul Iman, which has 1,788 rooms and over 100 garages to house his vast fleet of luxury sports cars.

    It is believed that Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s appetite for expensive vehicles is such that he owns over 500 Rolls Royces, and during the 1990s, his family was responsible for nearly half of all luxury car purchases worldwide.

    When not driving, the sultan’s “flying palace” is on hand, consisting of a fleet of long—and short-range Boeing airliners for his personal use.

    If not travelling at all, the sultan is able to amuse himself in his personal zoo, which includes 30 Bengal tigers and a range of exotic birds such as falcons, flamingos, and cockatoos, which, according to a GQ report, can ride miniature bicycles.

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  • World’s largest active volcano Mauna Loa showed telltale warning signs before erupting in 2022

    World’s largest active volcano Mauna Loa showed telltale warning signs before erupting in 2022

    WASHINGTON — Scientists can’t know precisely when a volcano is about to erupt, but they can sometimes pick up telltale signs.

    That happened two years ago with the world’s largest active volcano. About two months before Mauna Loa spewed rivers of glowing orange molten lava, geologists detected small earthquakes nearby and other signs, and they warned residents on Hawaii’s Big Island.

    Now a study of the volcano’s lava confirms their timeline for when the molten rock below was on the move.

    “Volcanoes are tricky because we don’t get to watch directly what’s happening inside – we have to look for other signs,” said Erik Klemetti Gonzalez, a volcano expert at Denison University, who was not involved in the study.

    Upswelling ground and increased earthquake activity near the volcano resulted from magma rising from lower levels of Earth’s crust to fill chambers beneath the volcano, said Kendra Lynn, a research geologist at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and co-author of a new study in Nature Communications.

    When pressure was high enough, the magma broke through brittle surface rock and became lava – and the eruption began in late November 2022. Later, researchers collected samples of volcanic rock for analysis.

    The chemical makeup of certain crystals within the lava indicated that around 70 days before the eruption, large quantities of molten rock had moved from around 1.9 miles (3 kilometers) to 3 miles (5 kilometers) under the summit to a mile (2 kilometers) or less beneath, the study found. This matched the timeline the geologists had observed with other signs.

    The last time Mauna Loa erupted was in 1984. Most of the U.S. volcanoes that scientists consider to be active are found in Hawaii, Alaska and the West Coast.

    Worldwide, around 585 volcanoes are considered active.

    Scientists can’t predict eruptions, but they can make a “forecast,” said Ben Andrews, who heads the global volcano program at the Smithsonian Institution and who was not involved in the study.

    Andrews compared volcano forecasts to weather forecasts – informed “probabilities” that an event will occur. And better data about the past behavior of specific volcanos can help researchers finetune forecasts of future activity, experts say.

    (asterisk)We can look for similar patterns in the future and expect that there’s a higher probability of conditions for an eruption happening,” said Klemetti Gonzalez.

    ___

    The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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  • The Worlds No.1 Bar Is Set To Shake Things Up In Mumbai: An Interview With Its Bartenders

    The Worlds No.1 Bar Is Set To Shake Things Up In Mumbai: An Interview With Its Bartenders

    Handshake in Mexico was named the best bar for 2024 by the World’s 50 Best rankings last month. Earlier this year, the speakeasy also topped the list of North America’s 50 Best Bars 2024. The two-storey Prohibition-inspired bar was established in 2018, as a result of a casual conversation between two friends. Over just a few years, it has managed to receive global acclaim for its innovation and its curation of one-of-a-kind experiences. The speakeasy boasts a vintage decor, featuring a black-and-gold aesthetic, plush armchairs, and elegant chandeliers. The menu exudes creativity, with a spotlight shining on unique combinations and unconventional ingredients.

    Handshakes interiors

    Handshake’s interiors. Photo Credit: Handshake

    Cocktail enthusiasts in Mumbai can get the chance to try its spectacular creations, as Handshake is popping up at Slink & Bardot for two nights only this week. Ahead of their trip, we caught up with two experts from the Handshake team: Javier Rodriguez (Head Bartender) and Daniela Jardon (Laboratory Manager at Handshake). The duo are set to dazzle the city with four signature cocktails and pair them with Slink & Bardot’s global flavours. Here are edited excerpts from our interview with them:

    L-R: Javier Rodriguez (Head Bartender) and Daniela Jardon (Laboratory Manager at Handshake)

    L-R: Javier Rodriguez (Head Bartender) and Daniela Jardon (Laboratory Manager at Handshake). Photo Credit: Handshake

    1. How does Handshake’s cocktail menu celebrate Mexican spirits like tequila and mezcal?

    Our menu is all about honouring Mexican roots, especially with tequila and mezcal. We showcase these spirits’ unique flavours by pairing them with ingredients that highlight their character and using techniques that bring out their depth. Every cocktail tells a story, and it’s our way of sharing a taste of Mexico.

    2. There’s been a growing interest in agave-based spirits around the world. What do you think about this trend?

    It’s amazing to see agave spirits getting the recognition they deserve. They’re incredibly complex and versatile, and people around the world are starting to appreciate that. This trend is connecting drinkers globally to Mexican culture and the craftsmanship behind each bottle.

    Handshakes Orange Blossom Cocktail

    Handshake’s Orange Blossom Cocktail. Photo Credit: Handshake

    3. Some of Handshake’s cocktails reportedly take up to 48 hours to prepare. What can you tell us about your processes and techniques?

    Yes, a few of our cocktails do take up to 48 hours to come together! It’s because we use techniques like infusions and clarifications, which take time but really elevate the flavours. The longer process allows the ingredients to meld perfectly, so when it reaches your glass, it’s a whole new experience.

    4. Can you share any unusual ingredients that you’ve recently experimented with in your cocktails?

    Lately, we’ve been having fun with ingredients like brown butter and mushrooms. They add depth and richness that you might not expect in a cocktail, but the response has been great! Guests are loving the bold flavours and unique twists.

    Handshakes Olive Oil Gimlet

    Handshake’s Olive Oil Gimlet. Photo Credit: Handshake

    5. Your speakeasy has been ranked number one in the world. How do you plan to continue to push boundaries?

    We’re incredibly grateful for the recognition-it means a lot. But it also inspires us to keep innovating. We’re constantly experimenting with new techniques and flavour combinations, always with a nod to the classics. It’s about delivering a unique experience every time, for every guest.

    6. Looking ahead, how do you see the future of Mexican mixology evolving, both locally and on the international stage?

    Mexican mixology is definitely on the rise. The world’s interest in agave spirits and traditional Mexican techniques means we’ll see a lot more innovation and respect for our craft. I think it’ll bring Mexican bartending to new heights globally.

    Handshake will be popping up at Slink & Bardot on November 14 and 15, 9 pm onwards. Guests can taste some of their most celebrated creations, including the Olive Oil Gimlet, the Mexi-Thai, The Orange Blossom and The Jasmine cocktails.

    Where: Slink & Bardot, Thadani House 329/A Opposite Indian Coast Guard Worli Village, Mumbai, Maharashtra
    Cost: Rs 4500 for 3 cocktails or Rs 6000 for 4 cocktails (pre-bookings only)

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