Dining in memoriam

Dining in memoriam

With its penchant for killing off major characters, it was only a matter of time before someone organised a memorial service featuring the popular TV series Game Of Thrones.

Local pop culture website Geek Crusade is organising Requiem For The Red Viper, a feast promising "food, fun and a funeral".

The lavish six-course dinner, which will be held on April 25, is in honour of the show's Red Viper, Dornish prince Oberyn Martell (played by Pedro Pascal). He was shockingly and brutally killed in season four.

Requiem is the third in Geek Crusade's Dinner Is Coming series, which organises themed dinners centred on franchises like Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games.

"Our first Game Of Thrones dinner, Welcome To King's Landing, was very popular. All 53 seats were sold out with three weeks to go," said Geek Crusade founder Nicholas Yong. "We even staged a second (Game of Thrones) dinner due to the overwhelming demand."

This time, Requiem will kick off with a funeral service for Oberyn, before guests can tuck into their Dornish-inspired delights.

Asked if the proceedings would include a fake corpse, Geek Crusade said details would remain a secret so that their guests will be surprised.

But don't expect the sombre mood to last.

The evening's entertainment will include a belly dancer and cosplayers, so you'll get to chat with characters like Oberyn's paramour Ellaria Sand and his daughters the Sand Snakes.

So why choose to celebrate the life - and death - of the Red Viper?

"Prince Oberyn was such a charismatic character, and a real badass," said Mr Yong, 34.

"Game Of Thrones has a long tradition of fan favourites being killed off, and Oberyn is definitely one of them. And since the upcoming season five will feature scenes from Dorne, it seemed fitting to pay tribute to their beloved prince."

COMMUNAL EXPERIENCE

To celebrate all things Dorne (the warmest region of the fictional continent Westeros in Game Of Thrones mythology) the feast will feature Mediterranean cuisine by Restaurant SELA.

"We're always looking to keep things fresh by hosting our dinners in different places," said Geek Crusade co-founder Gillian Ang, 29.

"Restaurant SELA was the perfect location as they specialise in tapas-style European dishes. We liked the idea of serving the food on sharing platters, so the dining could be a more communal experience," she said.

Head chef Mohd Shahrom, who is not a Game Of Thrones fan, had quite a challenge designing the menu.

"I had never watched the series before. I personally prefer zombie shows like The Walking Dead," said Mr Shahrom, 33, who has since watched Game Of Thrones episodes in the name of research.

"I was excited by the challenge and was eager to see what I could come up with."

The result is a host of imaginative dishes, such as spiced duck with lemons (Murder Most Fowl), baked apples with cinnamon, raisins and raspberry sauce (Sweet, Cold Revenge) and Dornish Love - Two Ways, a chicken dish which comes both fried and braised.

"Since Prince Oberyn was bisexual, we wanted to reference that part of his character," said Ms Ang. "The same chicken is prepared two ways: the skin is crispy and fried, but the meat is tender and braised."

Mr Shahrom's personal favourite is Dragon Eggs Hatching, inspired by the alliance between the Martell and dragon-rearing Targaryen families. "It's a cold salad of potatoes, salmon roe, black caviar and hard-boiled quail eggs. It's a simple but good dish."

Even if you are not a rabid fan, there seems to be plenty that will keep you occupied at this dinner.

"Dressing up for the dinner is not a requirement - most people don't actually come in costume," said Mr Yong.

"Singaporeans love to makan, so they can always come for the good food and ambience. But of course, if you're a fan, it's a good chance to geek out, and find kindred souls who love the show!"

And in case you were wondering, there won't be any Martell Cordon Bleu on the menu.

"I think that would be a bit difficult to source!" Ms Ang said. "But Dornish wine is famous in Westeros, so we'll have red wine to accompany the feast."

The new season of Game Of Thrones premieres on April 13 at 9am on HBO with an encore at 9pm.

Requiem For The Red Viper

WHEN

April 25, 7.30pm

WHERE

Restaurant SELA, 32, Seah Street

TICKETS

From $95 for dinner and one drink. There is a flash sale of tickets - 10 per cent discount - until noon tomorrow. Visit gkcr.de/ripredviper for details.


This article was first published on April 1, 2015.
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