This weekend is perfect for sampling the best of Indian cuisine in Singapore, as Tiffin Room at Raffles Hotel Singapore joins hands with Benares, one of London’s most celebrated and acclaimed Michelin-starred Indian restaurants.
From 18–20 September, Kuldeep Negi, Chef de Cuisine of Tiffin Room, and Sameer Taneja, Executive Chef of Benares, are co-creating a multi-course tasting menu that celebrates India’s culinary heritage through the lens of two distinct culinary philosophies.
A Raffles press note says: “This collaboration is the second leg of a cultural exchange that began in August, when Chef Kuldeep travelled to Benares with a menu crafted especially for London. Now, Chef Sameer brings his own artistry to Singapore, reimagining the flavours of India in the storied surroundings of Raffles Hotel Singapore’s Tiffin Room.”
Heritage meets modern mastery
Tiffin Room has long been a temple of refined North Indian dining in Singapore, its reputation built on regal recipes, vibrant spices, and attention to detail.
Trained in the culinary capitals of India, Chef Kuldeep draws from his experience, presenting them in Tiffin Room’s signature tiffin boxes with touches of contemporary artistry.
Chef Sameer Taneja commands the kitchen at Benares in London’s Mayfair, a trailblazing Michelin-starred restaurant. Drawing on his classical training in both French and Indian cuisine, and over 20 years of experience alongside culinary luminaries, Chef Sameer’s approach blends precision and innovation with the deepest respect for heritage.
He is renowned for pairing the finest seasonal British produce with bold, authentic Indian spices, creating dishes that are as refined in technique as they are vibrant in flavour.
Since taking the helm in 2019, he has led Benares to a Michelin star in 2021, retaining it in subsequent years.
A collaborative September feast
Crafted together by Chef Kuldeep and Chef Sameer, the September menu offers a culinary confluence between two distinct styles coloured by each chef’s unique experiences.
Guests embark on a journey through collaborative creations, such as:
• Channa Jor Garam Cone: A playful reimagining of a street-side classic, this crisp cone is filled with spiced chickpeas and lifted with tamarind chutney, offering a bright, tangy start to awaken the palate.
• Bread Pakoda: An elevated take on a beloved North Indian snack, golden-fried bread embraces a spiced potato filling, refined yet comfortingly familiar.
• Malabar Scallops: Hand-dived Scottish scallops, baked on the shell to preserve their delicate sweetness, complemented by a fragrant coconut curry and served alongside a soft, flaky Malabar paratha — a harmonious tribute to Chef Sameer’s mastery of seafood and spice.
• Murgh Makhani Roll and Madras Lump Crab Rice: Chef Kuldeep’s main courses include stuffed chicken leg wrapped in the rich embrace of smoked saffron onion gravy, and fragrant basmati enlivened by Madras spices and sweet crabmeat, both served alongside the restaurant’s signature Dal Makhani, Malai Gucci Kulcha, and Cranberry Cheese Naan.
• Gosht Kali Mirch and Chukundar Kofta: Chef Sameer presents a main course of tender lamb shank slow-braised in black pepper and served with sweet corn Haleem; and a beetroot hash brown in a delicate fennel and cashew korma — dishes that showcase depth, texture, and balance.
• Rasmalai Cheesecake and Gajar Halwa Tart: A joint creation from both chefs, bringing together two classics reinterpreted: velvety rasmalai transformed into a light cheesecake paired with cashew kulfi, and a sweet carrot halwa encased in a tart shell, topped with rabdi and pistachio caramel.
• Petit Fours: The evening closes with a trio of bite-sized indulgences created together by both chefs, Cumin Gianduja, Mango Badam Burfi, and Paan Truffle, each one a final flourish of spice, sweetness and craft.
The curated five-course tasting menu is priced at SGD 168++ per guest. To complement the rich flavours and intricate craftsmanship of each course, guests may elevate their dining experience with a curated wine pairing at SGD 108++ per guest that showcases a lovely Blanc de Noirs Champagne alongside three other handpicked wines.
For all enquiries and reservations, please call +65 6412 1816, or contact the team via the website https://tiffinroom.com.sg or e-mail TiffinRoom@raffles.com.
