The long-term collaboration will see co-hosted events and activities to foster deeper engagement within the F&B community and elevate dining experiences at the integrated resort

Marina Bay Sands signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) yesterday with China’s Black Pearl Restaurant Guide, a prestigious annual guide that recognises culinary excellence and is committed to promoting the development of the food and beverage industry.

(L-R) Mr. Patrick Lang, Vice President of Global Restaurant and Nightlife Development of Las Vegas Sands, Mr. Paul Town, Chief Operating Officer Marina Bay Sands, and Mr. Zhang Chuan, Senior Vice President of Meituan, at the officiating ceremony of the partnership

The long-term partnership, which marks the first time Black Pearl is collaborating with a hotel or integrated resort (IR) in Singapore, signifies a mutual commitment from both parties in promoting culinary arts and enriching the dining experiences offered at Marina Bay Sands.

It will also see both parties working closely together on cross-collaborative and co-branded events, including seminars and workshops focused on the culinary arts and led by thought leaders, restaurateurs, wine makers and distinguished chefs within the food and beverage industry, from Asia and beyond.

The partnership was officiated at Marina Bay Sands’ Hybrid Broadcast Studio on 30 June by Mr. Patrick Lang, Vice President of Global Restaurant and Nightlife Development of Las Vegas Sands, Mr. Paul Town, Chief Operating Officer Marina Bay Sands, and Mr. Zhang Chuan, Senior Vice President of Meituan, which owns Black Pearl Restaurant Guide.

Mr. Lang shared, “Marina Bay Sands is privileged to be partnering with Black Pearl Restaurant Guide, aimed at fostering deeper engagement within the F&B community and recognising culinary excellence in the region. As a leading dining destination in Asia, we hope this partnership will create new connections and showcase world-class dining concepts and cuisines through curated experiences, with a long-term goal to further elevate Singapore’s dining scene.”

Mr. Zhang Chuan, Senior Vice President of Meituan, said, “The partnership with Marina Bay Sands marks a significant milestone for the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide, representing a further expansion of Black Pearl’s presence in the international market. Black Pearl will be able to promote its evaluation standards to a wider international audience and at the same time, bring the rich heritage and diversity of Chinese cuisine to Singapore. We hope that this collaboration will promote the exchange of Chinese and Singaporean culinary culture, and better showcase Singapore restaurants to Chinese diners.”

For a start, Marina Bay Sands and Black Pearl hosted the first Singapore-China Culinary and Cultural Summit on 30 June, which brought together 12 distinguished chefs, restaurateurs and a wine-maker and tea master from the Greater China region for a robust dialogue where the participants shared more about their experience and know-how, and discussed the rich and diverse flavours of Chinese cuisine within a Singapore context.

More than 30 guests attended the event, including prominent food and beverage industry leaders and chefs from Singapore and the Greater China region such as Mr. Luo Yang, owner of Huai Yang Fu restaurant, Mr. Hou Xinqing, Executive Chef of Jiangnan Wok, Mr Gary Yin, owner and executive chef at King’s Joy, Mr. Weng Yongjun, owner of Yongfu, and Mr. Du Jianqing, owner of Amazing Chinese Cuisine (Selection by Du), to name a few.

Launched in 2018, the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide was founded by Chinese tech-driven retail company Meituan to recognise the best in fine-dining fare in Asia with a Chinese perspective in mind.

The prestigious annual guide evaluates restaurants based on culinary skills, innovation, legacy and customer experience through anonymous voting by a panel of judges with expertise in China’s dining sector. Based on this rating system, restaurants recognised by the guide are awarded one, two, or three “diamonds”.

The 2024 edition of Black Pearl Restaurant Guide covers 30 cities in total, including Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo and Singapore.