What happens when you give an amateur chef 48 hours, a professional kitchen crew, and the chance to create an original three-course dinner for a restaurant full of guests to love, hate, scrutinize, and everything in between?
That’s right : Kilo Under Pressure.
First Under Pressure event
After a 4-year-hiatus, Under Pressure returns this April, once again offering home cooks, amateur chefs, or budding culinary geniuses the chance to helm a restaurant and bring their gourmet dreams to life. This time, the playing field is at Kilo Orchard, a change from the previous installment held at Kilo Kallang, but the game plan remains the same: daring individuals can submit their applications, and shortlisted candidates will face Kilo in an interview and tasting process. The chosen chef will have Kilo’s support to prepare for and serve a dinner menu of three to five courses during the biggest challenge — service night.
The inaugural event in 2011 saw Kilo Kallang packed to the brim with excited diners, and a night full of firsts for everyone. The heat was on: tempers flared in the face of unexpected challenges, reviews were mixed, some guests were left to wait, and there was even one table that walked out. But as the night progressed, the initial fluster receded with Nithiya, our first chef, increasing in her confidence and understanding of what it takes to steer a kitchen.
“I’m exhausted, but I’m excited that I did it, and proud of myself.”
— Nithiya
With the Under Pressure series, Kilo wishes to present culinary hopefuls a chance to live out their dreams and experience cooking in a proper kitchen — intense, exhausting, and complete with all its joy and drama.
Kilo has always been about embracing experiences, both old and new, and bringing together people from all walks of life. In the same line, Kilo wishes to support fledgling talent across all industries, be it in F&B, music, or art, and offer them a platform to showcase their creations. The Cooking Beats events, for example, has seen Kilo opening their kitchen to up-and-coming guest chefs from all over the world; while Kilo Dialogues created a safe space for explorative, thought-provoking performances, talks, dialogue sessions, and more.
Ultimately, Kilo hopes to encourage experimentation, and support undiscovered talent. The upcoming Under Pressure will be held at the end of April, and will be a ticketed event where guests pay for a prix fixe menu. Diners can expect a menu reflective of the chef’s individuality, backed by Kilo’s staff. It may turn out turbulent, but we promise a night of fun, laughter, and great food. For enthusiastic home cooks and chefs, it’s time to turn up the pressure; this is the perfect opportunity to take your hobby to the next level.
Interested participants may contact Kilo with the following:
- Your profile and details (name, age, occupation, prior cooking experience if any)
- Any images or your social media handles where we can take a look at your homemade creations
- Your proposed 3-5 dishes
- Any quirky attributes you would like to share with us — a secret talent? What food best represents you?
Applicants must be Singaporean/PR/possess a valid work permit, and must be 18 years old and above. Kindly submit any submissions and enquiries here.
Submissions close 10th April 2016.
