It sure seems like the universe is trying to tell me something (perhaps that I should be brushing up on my skills in the kitchen), what with the many, many cooking classes that are all the rage at the moment. There was celeb chef Curtis Stone with Coriander Leaf’s Samia Ahad for the Sun Festival, and, more recently, a masterclass with chef Scott Webster of Osia, the first in the Chef Signatures series presented by DBS Indulge. This culinary maestro, who hails from New South Wales, skillfully demonstrated a three-course meal of polenta and panko-crumbed foie gras atop a disc of braised daikon, Grainge Black Angus Beef tenderloin on a blueberry risotto drizzled with bone marrow sauce and Valrhona hot chocolate soup, topped with a quenelle of black pepper ice cream and a sesame tuile at the AFC studio (#07-02 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd., 6834-4829). If you missed it, the next one features Kunio Tokuoka in Dec, and Emmanuel Stroobant in Jan. Log on to www.asianfoodchannel.com/dbs for details.

Pavé Chocolates & Confections (93 East Coast Rd., 6342-0677) has introduced some new treats, such as El Pirata Paco, layer upon layer of almond sponge, lemon-infused cream and saffron-scented meringue ($7.50); chocolate nuggets of Yen (named after their pâtissier), with a white truffle-infused center; and Monastrell, with roasted almonds and saffron (both $3.20). They’re also doing all day French breakfasts on weekends with crossiants, pain au chocolat and Croque Monsieur (from $3.50).

The dreaded renovations at Raffles City Shopping Centre (252 North Bridge Rd.) are finally coming to a close, with a whole gamut of food-related establishments launched over the last two weeks. Noteworthy ones include DIY Teppanyaki Sho Teppan (#B1-44B, 6336-2118), Taiwanese eatery Ximending (#B1-44C, 6336-2118), Canelé (#B1-81/82, 6334-7377), Chocolate Research Facility (#B1-49, 6333-5328) and Kaffe & Te Boutique (#B1-51, 6527-3229). Also new in town is Qafé (#01-01, 21 Tanjong Pagar Rd., 9487-1287), which we anticipate will be hot with the yuppies and celebs as it’s headed by CEO of Fly Entertainment and comedian, Irene Ang. I’m hoping to check out this Western-fusion café soon (schedule permitting) and I’ll be sure to keep you good folks posted once I do. If you beat me to it, drop me a line at [email protected] and tell me what you think.

SuperNature’s (#01-21/23/27 Park House, 21 Orchard Boulevard, 6304-1338) last Super Sunday for the year happens on Nov 28. Stop by from 10am-6pm and score yourself some fantastic discounts on organic products. If you get the munchies while shopping (I certainly do), be sure to help yourself to some roasted Rhug Estate milk-fed lamb with pita bread at their sampler station.