SINGAPORE, Nov. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Co-funded by the European Union and CNIEL, Europe Full of Character returns for a final, delicious year in Singapore with “Cheese Eat Up!”, a celebration of French cow’s milk cheeses and their unique ability to elevate and harmonize with local cuisine.
This third and final chapter of the campaign invites Singaporeans to rediscover beloved street food through the rich, creamy, and complex world of French cheese. From hawker classics reimagined with a cheesy twist to sophisticated gourmet interpretations, the campaign proudly bridges French tradition with Singapore’s dynamic culinary creativity.
“It has been an honour to lead this campaign over the past three years. Watching the local industry embrace French cheese with such enthusiasm has been incredibly rewarding.
Singapore is a vibrant, dynamic market with enormous potential for the future of authentic French dairy.”
— Émilie Martin, Managing Director, CNIEL
A Culinary Crossroads: French Cheese Meets Singaporean Soul
Over the last three years, Europe Full of Character has trained future chefs from institutions like ITE, At-Sunrice, CIA, and SHATEC, while partnering with importers, chefs, and distributors to showcase the versatility of iconic French cow’s milk cheeses such as Brie, Camembert, Mimolette, Comté, and Bleu d’Auvergne.
This year’s campaign highlights how these cheeses not only complement but elevate Singapore’s rich tapestry of flavours, melding effortlessly with bold spices, fresh herbs, and vibrant textures typical of local dishes. French cheese’s natural creaminess and nuanced depth add a luxurious layer that both balances and enhances the complex flavour profiles beloved by Singaporeans.
“French cheeses have everything it takes to enhance local favourites: they melt beautifully, balance strong spices, and bring natural creaminess. They’re also deliciously simple and minimally processed,” explains François Robin, one of France’s best cheesemongers. “In Singapore, where food is a melting pot of cultures, French cheese adds a distinctive European elegance without overpowering the soul of the dish.”
Industry Feedback: What Guests Are Saying
The campaign’s shift to an interactive masterclass format this year brought fresh energy and inspiration:
“The content was rich and inspiring. François Robin made everything feel approachable. Tasting the recipes and seeing the cheese platter come together live was a real highlight.” — R. E., Category Manager “A dynamic, well-organised event with lots of opportunities to connect. I left with concrete ideas and great new contacts in the industry.” — A. M., Sales Manager “I truly rediscovered French cheese. The pairings were unexpected and absolutely delicious.” said a participating influencer from our recent campaign.
Hero Recipe
Why it works:
Comté’s rich, nutty character and melt-in-your-mouth texture perfectly complement the spicy, aromatic curry filling, a quintessential Singaporean snack. This fusion dish showcases how French cheese can harmonize with local ingredients, balancing the sweet, tangy, and pickled elements that define Singapore’s hawker favourites. The elegant vol-au-vent shell elevates the humble curry puff into a refined, modern bite, symbolizing the seamless blend of French sophistication and Singaporean street food culture.
Prep Time: 25 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Makes: 12
FILLING
250g waxy potatoes, diced 1 small red onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, minced 1 tsp grated ginger 2 tbsp ghee 1½ tsp curry powder ¼ tsp turmeric 60g Comté, grated Salt & pepper
TOPPINGS
2 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted 50g quick-pickled vegetables 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
TO SERVE
12 ready-made vol-au-vent shells 20g Comté, shaved Coriander for garnish
Instructions:
Campaign Highlights
Trade & Media Showcase: Featuring hawker-style dishes reimagined with French cheese led by François Robin, one of the Best French Cheesemongers Culinary Workshops: Led by Chef Maryjoy Lym from JAG (1 Michelin Star), exploring cheese board design and local mocktail fusion Cheese Pairing Inspiration: Through social media, recipes, and tastings across the city
Follow us: @cheesycharacters_sg
About CNIEL
CNIEL (Centre National Interprofessionnel de l’Économie Laitière) champions French dairy worldwide, promoting sustainable practices and sharing French expertise through education and international outreach.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Europe Full of Character: “Cheese Eat Up!” – A Flavourful Finale to the French Cheese Campaign in Singapore
HONG KONG, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) today hosted its flagship event, HKBU Engagement Luncheon, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event brought together more than 600 industry leaders, employers and community representatives to foster university-industry collaboration and to showcase the University’s commitment to nurturing talent, driving innovation, and advancing sustainable development.
The luncheon received strong community support, with representatives from leading corporations in attendance. More than 120 students participated in employer conversations to explore market needs and industry trends. By engaging directly with business leaders, HKBU aims to further refine its academic curriculum to remain aligned with global developments and prepare graduates with the vision and skills vital for success in a rapidly evolving world.
Dr the Hon Kennedy Wong Ying-ho, Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU, welcomed guests in his address and expressed his heartfelt appreciation for their efforts in creating meaningful social experiences for students. He said the strong support and contributions from different sectors are vital to realising the University’s vision.
Dr Wong noted that in the age of artificial intelligence, HKBU’s education places greater emphasis on empathy, imagination and moral judgement — qualities that define humanity and prepare students to thrive amid rapid change. He added that, as the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan highlights innovation and high-quality development, HKBU will continue to make meaningful contributions to shaping a prosperous and sustainable future for the country.
Looking ahead to HKBU’s 70th anniversary next year, Dr Wong invited the community to join the University in celebrating its legacy of innovation and contributions to society, and to embark on the next stage of its development together.
In his appreciation remarks, Professor Alexander Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, said that cultivating capabilities for a sustainable future is a core mission of the University. He stressed that HKBU’s transdisciplinary programmes are closely aligned with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), nurturing talent with vision and purpose to serve the community.
Professor Wai added that the University’s Transdisciplinary Innovation Team has been honoured with the 2025 University Grants Committee (UGC) Teaching Award in the collaborative teams category, a strong recognition of HKBU’s excellence in whole‑person education and in nurturing future-ready leaders.
The Luncheon featured six Themed Matching Zones embodying HKBU’s latest initiatives in Creative Arts and Media, Entrepreneurship, Health and Wellbeing, Humanities and Cultures, Sustainability and Green Innovation, and Technology and Innovation. An Interactive Zone, co-presented by HKBU’s seven Faculties and Schools and the Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University, showcased the University’s cutting-edge research and creative endeavours. The exhibition provided a dynamic platform for academics, students and corporate partners to exchange ideas, illustrating HKBU’s success in transdisciplinary learning, research and knowledge transfer.
Sustainability was thoughtfully incorporated into every detail of the luncheon. Approximately 80% of the event’s decorations and materials were made of eco-friendly or recyclable resources, including seed paper for guest badges, Tyvek reusable tote bags, and creative venue designs crafted from corrugated cardboard. These efforts echoed the SDGs and demonstrated HKBU’s commitment to sustainability in both concept and practice.
HKBU’s sustainability achievements have received growing international recognition. In the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, the University rose sharply from the 101-200 band to 69th globally, and for the second consecutive year, ranked second in the world for SDG 4: Quality Education. HKBU also ranked in the global top 100 for nine SDGs, a significant improvement from last year, reaffirming its leadership in human-centred innovation, transdisciplinary research and social responsibility.
This dedication is also reflected in the University’s continued rise in international higher education rankings. In the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings 2026, HKBU climbed from 71st to 53rd place, marking its best performance since 2016.
Moving forward, HKBU will continue to embed sustainability as a core strategic priority and will strengthen collaboration with employers and industry partners to advance curriculum reform and applied research. Through transdisciplinary partnerships and global alliances, HKBU aims to translate research into real-world impact and cultivate a new generation of creative, socially responsible talents.
About Hong Kong Baptist University
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) is one of the eight publicly funded universities in Hong Kong supported by the University Grants Committee. Founded in 1956 as Hong Kong Baptist College and renamed Hong Kong Baptist University in 1994, HKBU has been committed to academic excellence, innovative research and community service. As one of Asia’s leading institutions of higher education, the University aims to nurture future generations of socially responsible and creative leaders through a diverse, interdisciplinary and holistic education.
Media Contact:
Ms Winny Zhang
Email: wzhang@hkbu.edu.hk
Tel: 3411 2771
Mr Mervyn Kwan
Email: mervyn_kwan@hkbu.edu.hk
Tel: 3411 2555
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
HKBU Engagement Luncheon fosters University-Industry collaboration to build a sustainable future
Dining and Cooking