Singapore’s food and beverage industry folk were treated to a duck extravaganza at Asia’s largest food & beverage trade show where they were serving up the world’s best duck at Irish Duck Asia’s (IDC) stall.
Lucky visitors to the stall during the four-day event held at the Singapore Expo went through 200 ducks that were prepared for sampling — an average of 50 ducks per day were prepared, passed around and enjoyed by all resulting in 375 positive enquiries from visitors across the region.
“This is deemed to be the world’s best duck because it’s got all the qualities for a perfect duck,’’ Ron Lim, chairman at IDC, who is the exclusive agent for Ireland’s Silver Hill Duck in Asia, said at the trade show. “It’s got enough fat, a fantastic aroma and it’s very tender and juicy and that makes the duck very, very special.’’ Singapore is the first country within Southeast Asia where IDC exports these famed birds.
Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland cited the success of TungLok Group’s restaurant chain Duckland, which uses ducks from Silver Hill Farm in Ireland.
“We look at the experience with Irish duck and the path that Andrew Tjioe has carved out with the Tung Lok restaurant chain and the development of new Duckland restaurants, which has increased the awareness of Irish duck among Singaporean consumers.’’
As Singapore looks to diversify its food sources, Ireland can potentially be an even stronger partner for the country, McConalogue said to The Straits Times on the sidelines of the international food and beverage trade show which attracted over 2,000 exhibitors from 56 countries and regions. The IDC received several positive enquiries from across Southeast Asia.
With experience in Hong Kong and Macau and continued demand from these markets, IDC is in the process of bringing Silver Hill Duck to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines.
Marked success has been achieved amongst Asian customers due to the superior roasting qualities of the Silver Hill Duck. The duck commands a premium price in Singapore, Hong Kong & Macau where chefs have christened Silver Hill’s unique breed of duck ‘The Mother of All Duck’.
The unique characteristics of the duck are its short legs, thick chest and high-fat content averaging 30 to 35 per cent. Raised on a unique, wholesome diet of wheat, maize and soya, the ducks drink water from wells dug on-site, tapping into the natural spring water of the land. They are harvested at 42 to 43 days old before the suppleness of the meat is compromised and de-feathered by hand to reduce bruising on the skin.
Co-Owner of London Fat Duck, Mr Mervin Goh describes Silver Hill Duck as “the wagyu of ducks” because, like well-marbled Japanese beef, the birds have a high-fat content. Head chef Poon Kwong Fat, who has over 30 years of experience roasting meats, agrees, “Roasted Irish ducks are more fragrant and juicy as these meatier birds have a good amount of fat that makes the meat more tender and flavourful.”
To discover the Wagyu Of Duck for yourself, get in touch with us:
Singapore: +65 8481 0088 and +65 9366 0088
Joel@irishduck.sg
Kennedy@irishduck.sg
Photo credit: Irish Duck Asia (IDC)
— April 23, 2019 —