If you had the chance to watch this summer’s box office hit Crazy Rich Asians, then you’d know the film is set in Singapore—a place where heated arguments can break out because of a dispute over the best place to eat.

Food is an integral part of Singaporean culture, and if you’re a local Vancouverite who has never experienced this type of cuisine, you may want to mark your calendar for this upcoming culinary event.

Granville Island’s Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts (PICA) will be hosting a Crazy Rich Asians-inspired feast on October 20 (6:30 to 10 p.m.) at its in-house dining room Bistro 101 (101–1505 West 2nd Avenue).

PICA alumni and owner of North Vancouver’s Gaia Kitchen chef Regina Lee will be creating the night’s mouthwatering dishes. Born and raised in Singapore, Lee has a deep connection and understanding of the flavours and cooking techniques that make the Asian city-state’s nosh so delicious.

Guests will start off the evening with a Singapore Sling (a gin-based cocktail developed in the early 1900’s in Singapore), followed by some small bites like chicken and beef satay skewers and steamed pork wontons.

Chef Lee will also be preparing items like roti prata with dhal curry, beef rendang with nasi lemak (spicy meat with coconut-and-pandan leaf rice), Hainanese chicken rice with soup, char kway teow (stir-fried rice-cake strips), and chili crab with mantou (Chinese steam bun).

Sweettooths will enjoy desserts such as kueh sarlat (layered treat made with kaya custard and glutinous rice), ondeh-ondeh (rice-cake balls infused with pandan and coated in coconut sugar), kueh lapis (steamed layered cake), and chocolate chiffon cake (Nick’s favourite). 

We suggest wearing loose clothing, because you’ll be indulging in five appetizers, seven main-course dishes, as well as five desserts. The gourmet offerings will be served as share-plates, and guests will be seated at long tables for a family-style meal. 

Tickets ($128 per person, plus fees) can be purchased online.