---
title: "Crafting Chocolate Walls: How Singapore Turns Food Championship Into an Adventure"
description: Experience Singapore’s vibrant food scene at SFDA and SCTA, where coffee, chocolate and global flavours unite in three days of culinary artistry and joy
author: Dr Marina Nani (Editor-in-Chief)
date: 2025-08-06T09:23:35.000Z
updated: 2026-02-26T22:05:29.157Z
canonical: https://richwoman.co/article/crafting-chocolate-walls-how-singapore-turns-food-championship-into-an-adventure
image: https://cdn.nanimediahouse.com/janice-wong-s-edible-chocolate.jpeg
categories: Inspiration
content_type: Feature
region: Singapore
publication: Rich Woman Magazine
---

The doors to Singapore’s biggest food adventure opened this morning at Sands Expo, and the atmosphere is electric. Walking through the vast halls, you’re immediately hit by the rich aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans mingling with the sweet scent of chocolate and the exotic notes of specialty teas from across Asia. The [Speciality Food & Drinks Asia (SFDA) and Speciality Coffee & Tea Asia (SCTA)](https://www.comunicaffe.com/singapores-top-baristas-compete-at-national-coffee-championships/) events bring together 449 exhibitors from 41 countries, creating an immersive experience that celebrates the craft, creativity and passion behind every cup and bite.

## A Chocolate Wall That Stops Traffic

The first thing that stops visitors in their tracks is [Janice Wong’s stunning nine-metre edible chocolate wall](https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3276965/her-chocolate-art-walls-spread-moments-joy-singapore-fiji-meet-janice-wong). Created in collaboration with French chocolate house Valrhona, this sensory experience captures everything magical about food as art.

Wong, who’s been dubbed Singapore’s ‘dessert queen’, has spent years creating edible art installations that blur the line between food and fine art. Her chocolate walls have graced luxury hotels from Singapore to Fiji, and each piece aims to create what she calls ‘multisensory experiences of joy and wonder’. Standing before this towering wall of chocolate, watching visitors’ faces light up as they catch the rich cocoa scent and see the play of colours and textures, you understand exactly what she means.

Children and adults alike find themselves drawn to touch, smell and eventually taste pieces of this edible masterpiece, creating those spontaneous moments of shared joy that make [food adventures](https://richwoman.co/article/santa-fe-wine-chile-fiesta-2025-plan-your-dream-foodie-getaway-early-this-year) so special.

## A Journey Through Global Flavours

Beyond the chocolate wall, the pavilions unfold like a culinary world tour. Each country’s booth offers a slice of its food culture, from delicate Japanese confections to robust Italian pastries. The experience feels like wandering through a global food market where each stall tells a story.

The Tea Pavilion deserves special attention, featuring players like [Dancing Tea from Taiwan](https://www.dancing-tea.com/), a family-run business with over 150 years of tea heritage. Their specialty lies in transforming traditional teas into contemporary applications – think tea-flavoured gelato and popcorn that bridges generations of tea lovers. The Taiwan Tea Creative Industries Association showcases how ancient tea traditions evolve to meet modern tastes, offering visitors a chance to sample products that go far beyond the traditional cup.

Cat Nghi Tea Manufacturing from Vietnam brings robust, earthy flavours that speak to the country’s coffee culture, while Revolution Tea from the USA demonstrates how Western meets Eastern tradition. Walking through these stalls, you’re not just tasting products – you’re experiencing the stories, traditions and creativity that shape how we drink tea today.

## Where Singapore’s Coffee Champions Shine

The heart of SCTA pulses with the energy of the Singapore National Coffee Championship, where 70 of the country’s top baristas compete across four categories. The atmosphere around the competition areas is electric, with spectators gathering to watch skilled hands create perfect espresso shots, intricate latte art and expertly brewed filter coffee.

This year’s competition carries special significance. [Last year’s National Barista Champion, Wong Ruoqi (Chris) from Santino](https://www.comunicaffe.com/singapore-s-coffee-champions-crowned/), represented Singapore at the World Barista Championship in Milan, showcasing the level of talent emerging from Singapore’s coffee scene. The latte art competition particularly captivates audiences, as baristas create detailed designs – from classic tulips and swans to complex patterns that seem almost impossible to achieve with steamed milk.

‘I’m excited and proud to see the return of the Singapore National Coffee Championship,’ says Victor Mah, President of the Singapore Coffee Association. ‘This competition is a true celebration of our vibrant coffee community. It’s inspiring to witness our local baristas push boundaries, refine their craft and compete to represent Singapore with passion and excellence on the world stage.’

The competition highlights how Singapore’s coffee culture has evolved from a traditional kopitiam scene to embrace specialty coffee craftsmanship. Watching these baristas work, you see the precision, artistry and passion that goes into every cup – qualities that are changing how Singaporeans think about their [daily coffee ritual](https://richwoman.co/article/from-tokyo-cafes-to-your-kitchen-counter-oval-coffee-s-pour-over-ritual-lands-in-us-kitchens).

## Learning Through Taste

The real magic happens in the hands-on workshops and tastings scattered throughout the venue. The [‘Introduction to Cupping’ workshop](https://fellowproducts.com/blogs/learn/a-step-by-step-guide-to-cupping-coffee) offers beginners a chance to learn the professional method coffee experts use to evaluate beans. Cupping might sound technical, but it’s actually about training your palate to notice the subtle differences between coffees – the bright acidity of a Kenyan bean versus the chocolate notes in a Brazilian roast.

The process is surprisingly meditative: you smell the dry grounds, pour hot water over them, break the crust that forms on top and inhale the wet aroma before finally tasting by slurping from a spoon. This technique aerates the coffee and spreads it across your palate, helping you identify flavours you might never have noticed in your morning cup.

The Singapore Roasters Showcase offers another layer of discovery, featuring guided tastings of locally roasted beans. These sessions reveal how Singapore’s coffee roasters are developing their own signature styles, often incorporating Asian flavour profiles or roasting techniques that reflect the local palate.

Boncafé’s live brewing demonstrations add a technical element, showing how water quality affects extraction and flavour. These aren’t dry lectures but interactive experiences where you can taste the difference good water makes to your coffee – knowledge you can take home and immediately apply.

## Sweet Competition From Milan to Singapore

For food enthusiasts this marks the first time Southeast Asia hosts selections for the prestigious Italian competition, with six Singapore pastry talents competing for a spot at the 2026 World Cup in Milan.

Panettone, the iconic Italian Christmas cake, requires exceptional skill to master. The competition celebrates both tradition and creativity, as bakers must demonstrate their ability to create the perfect texture and flavour while potentially adding their own creative touches. Master baker Giuseppe Piffaretti leads the competition, bringing authentic Italian expertise to guide the judging.

The event celebrates how Italian pastry traditions have found new expression in Asian kitchens, creating fusion flavours and techniques that honour the original while embracing local ingredients and tastes.

## Making the Most of Your Visit

To get the most from this food adventure, approach it with curiosity rather than a rigid plan. Start early when the coffee competitions begin, as the energy is highest and you’ll catch the most skilled baristas in action. Don’t hesitate to ask exhibitors about their products – most are passionate about sharing their stories and offering samples.

Bring a notebook or use your phone to jot down favourites, especially during cupping sessions or tea tastings. The flavour profiles you discover might inspire your next grocery shopping trip or coffee order. Many exhibitors offer special show pricing or exclusive products you won’t find elsewhere.

Consider the workshops as mini-masterclasses. Even if you’re not planning to become a professional barista, learning proper cupping technique or understanding what makes great latte art can deepen your appreciation for the craft behind every cup.

Most importantly, come hungry and thirsty – literally and figuratively. This is a chance to taste flavours you might never encounter otherwise and meet the people who pour their creativity and passion into every product. Whether you’re exploring [food trends](https://richwoman.co/article/sardinesummer-how-tinned-fish-became-summer-s-most-surprising-hosting-hack) or discovering new flavours, you’ll find plenty to inspire your own culinary adventures.

The three days at Sands Expo & Convention Centre was a sensory adventure that celebrate the artistry, creativity and pure joy found in exceptional food and drink. Whether you’re a coffee enthusiast, tea lover, [chocolate aficionado](https://richwoman.co/article/pouring-heart-and-heritage-how-coffee-farmers-and-japanese-coffee-lovers-rekindle-old-bonds) or simply someone who enjoys discovering new flavours, this is where Singapore’s food scene opens its doors to share its most exciting discoveries with curious eaters and drinkers ready to enrich their palate.