[dropcap size=small]T[/dropcap]here can be no reliable awards platform without a discerning and well-travelled panel. These are the gourmands who sat through countless tastings, just to identify the finest for The G Restaurant Awards 2016.

HEHeatherGrant
HE HEATHER GRANT Previously Canada’s representative to the World Trade Organization, HE Grant has been the High Commissioner of Canada to Singapore since 2012. She enjoys taking walks along the Southern Ridges at Harbourfront, and can also be spotted with a picnic basket in tow at the Botanic Gardens’ outdoor concerts.
HEThomasKupfer
HE THOMAS KUPFER HE Kupfer has been the Ambassador for Switzerland to Singapore since September 2012. He was previously the Swiss ambassador to Colombia and to the Republic of Korea. He loves Asian cuisine, Italian cuisine (his wife is Italian) and Swiss specialities like raclette cheese and Swiss sausages.
HEHazel
HE HAZEL FRANCIS NGUBENI HE Ngubeni is South Africa’s Ambassador to Singapore, her first diplomatic position. Posted to Singapore in 2013, she has come to love the local fare, and laments that she has gained weight since.
HELuisFernando
HE LUIS FERNANDO DE ANDRADE SERRA HE Serra is former Brazil’s Ambassador to Singapore. In his 44-year career as a diplomat, he has travelled extensively, experiencing different cultures and cuisines. He is currently Brazil’s Ambassador to Republic of Korea.
HESunCH
HE SUH CHUNG HA HE Suh is the former Ambassador for the Republic of Korea to Singapore. After spending most of his diplomatic career in Europe, he still prefers dishes from his homeland, save for the occasional hor fun.
DrBernardCheong
DR BERNARD CHEONG Dr Cheong, a watch collector of international renown, is the only non-retailer or collector who is an official ambassador for Switzerland’s Foundation of Haute Horology. He recommends a combination of spirulina and six packets of Fybogel daily to balance the excesses of rich food.
DrChngCK
DR CHNG CHAI KIAT Dr Chng is heading the Department of Dentistry at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. His love for skiing is second only to his passion for great food, whether it’s from a Michelinstar restaurant or a food-centre stall. The avid traveller also goes on Smile Asia mission trips.
PaulLing
PAUL LING A man of simple but discerning tastes, Ling’s heart is in wines and he has nearly 300 bottles in his collection, including his favourites – Amarones by the late Giuseppe Quintarelli. He believes dishes should be designed around wines, not vice versa.
EdwinSoon
EDWIN SOON An oenologist and economist by training, the published author of books on wines is an expert and educator in the field. Soon dabbles in cooking and appreciates a good wine list with well-represented regions.
MichaelTay
MICHAEL TAY Tay is the founder of SingJazz, an international jazz festival, and director of the Foundation for the Arts and Social Enterprise.
KathrynYap
KATHRYN YAP When not hunting down talent, Yap, named one of Businessweek’s top 50 headhunters in the world, hunts down good food. Her motto, inspired by her obsession with otoro and wagyu, is this: “Fat is flavour, so the more the merrier.”
LeslieYeo
LESLIE YEO Yeo is the principal director of Sterling Law Corporation. The lover of Japanese single malts occasionally hosts family and friends to an evening of food, wine and laughter, with the wide-ranging cuisine served spanning prawn dum biryani to Teochew-style chye poh neng (omelette with preserved vegetables).

The full list of Singapore’s Best at
G Restaurant Awards 2016.