Event Passion Ball 2010 – Romancing the Romanoffs
Organiser Food from the Heart Foundation and Twise
Venue John Jacob Ballroom, St. Regis Singapore
Group size 300
Date May 15




The brief
Passion Ball is an annual, fundraising event organised by Food from the Heart Foundation, a non-profit organisation established in 2003 to help alleviate hunger and suffering in Singapore.

St. Regis Singapore was asked to bring this year’s Romancing the Romanoffs Russian theme to life by using décor, props and the menu. The black-tie dinner was to be attended by Singapore President SR Nathan and his wife, as well as prominent socialites and leading corporate figures, so meticulous preparation was a prerequisite for the organisers.

Challenges
It was important that the menu and setting matched the event’s Russian theme. After extensive consultation with the organisers, the catering team drew-up plans and custom built an elevated stage, giving the venue an added air of grandeur.

The ballroom spotlights highlighted the table centrepieces that comprised floral arrangements of roses embedded in ice blocks, carved in the shape of ice buckets.

Execution
The foyer and ballroom were transformed to represent the Russian imperial court. Guests were treated to a gastronomic Russian dinner by master chefs from the Podvorye restaurant in St. Petersburg, who worked closely with hotel staff to ensure flawless service. Wait staff were selected and trained to deliver smooth, attentive white-glove service. It was no mean feat to make sure each guest’s bowl of soup was served piping hot.

The band, The Gypsy Court, entertained with traditional Russian gypsy folk songs, while Singapore’s MI Arts performed the dances. The vodka bar saw a steady stream of revelers enjoying the spirit, which had been specially flown in from St. Petersburg.