Resorts World Theatre will sizzle up this June with Resorts World Sentosa’s (RWS) brand new original mid-year blockbuster theatrical production, CHEF: Bibimbap vs Chilli Crab (厨神: 韩国拌饭决战辣椒螃蟹). Celebrity twin sisters – Jayley (胡佳琪) and Hayley Woo (胡佳嬑) will be performing together with talents of the who’s who in the South Korean performing arts circle. Given a refreshing Singapore spin, this language-agnostic comedic live show also heralds RWS’s first collaboration with Persona Inc., a leading South Korean production company helmed by Choi Chul Ki (崔喆基), an acclaimed director which is also the executive director for CHEF: Bibimbap vs Chilli Crab.

CHEF: Bibimbap vs Chilli Crab is a brand new adaptation of action-comedy musical CHEF which has taken the world by storm with its string of sold-out shows globally. Directed by Chul Ki, CHEF: Bibimbap vs Chilli Crab is a non-verbal live theatrical performance that deliciously blends drama, action and music with a celebration of food as its centrepiece. With energetic beat-boxing and rousing acapella, this outrageous kitchen drama will provide audiences with a fully immersive theatrical experience that engages all five senses, complete with madcap humour, animated music, b-boying, acrobatics and martial arts.

Having the stage creatively transformed into a kitchen, CHEF: Bibimbap vs Chilli Crab pits two teams of chefs against each other as they dish up cuisines of different countries, culminating in an epic showdown between the rival head chefs who will compete in a cook-off to unveil the pride of their respective signature dishes: Chilli Crab and Bibimbap!

“Hallyu or the Korean cultural wave has gained much popularity and following globally including Singapore and around Southeast Asia. Besides, Singapore is well-known for its diverse food culture and world-renowned delicacies. By combining these two powerful ingredients in this world-class production, we have a very compelling and unprecedented theatrical showcase that will be part of the audience’s memorable experience at Asia’s premium lifestyle destination resort. We invite everyone to join us for this theatrical experience that promises to surprise, tease and titillate all senses, and make them very hungry at the same time,” said Mr Khoo Shao Tze, Vice President for Entertainment, RWS (圣淘沙名胜世界娱乐统筹副总裁, 邱韶智).

Mr Choi Chul Ki, the pioneer of “eat-ertainment”

Hailed as the pioneer of “eat-ertainment” and language-agnostic live show concepts, Chul Ki is the original creator of the first non-verbal top-rated musical, NANTA, from South Korea. Always at the forefront of cutting-edge and experimental theatrical styles, Chul-Ki has gone on to craft and produce other critically acclaimed show extravaganzas including BEAT, JUMP and CHEF. With CHEF, apart from incorporating the indigenous Korean food culture into a live show, Chul Ki also aims to demonstrate the spirit of mixing and harmony in Bibimbap, the national Korean dish, through “eat- ertainment”.

Since its first show in 2009, CHEF, regarded as the most delicious performance in the world, has played to audiences across the world including Indonesia, South Korea and Scotland. The Evening News, UK, described the live show as “A blend of anarchic comedy and visual delight!” while Metro, UK, raved, “A delicious confection!”

Audiences invited on stage to interact with the talented cast

Not only will the audience have the chance to go on-stage to interact with the amazing cast and be part of the unfolding story, they will also be actively engaged in deciding the winner between the Red Chef and the Green Chef in their final culinary battle, adding more spice and spontaneity to the live theatrics.

Jayley and her twin celebrity sister, Hayley Woo, will take turns to perform the role of the adorable and effervescent Cutie Chef – a soprano with multiple characters, during the show run. “It’s really an honour to be able to work with top-notch performers as well as a director from South Korea. I’m psyched to begin training with them and to absorb everything I can within the upcoming month! I can’t wait to share what I’ve learnt and I know I’ll definitely enjoy every moment of it”, said Jayley, a popular Mediacorp performing artist, on her involvement in CHEF: Bibimbap vs Chilli Crab.

Sharing the excitement of her sister and soon-to-be co-star, Hayley stated: “It’s really a dream come true for us sisters, to be able to be part of a theatrical production like this. We have been dreaming about wanting to train in Korea even before the KPOP wave hit Singapore. Knowing how high the standards are for one to make it in the Korean entertainment industry, I’m really looking forward to the training there. This is such an amazing chance for the both of us, I’m truly honoured and blessed.”

Joining the colourful cast are other equally outrageous, hyperbolic and madcap chef personalities such as the pugilistic Green Chef played by Woo Young Wook (禹泳旭), the curvaceous Sexy Chef played by Ko Eun Hee (高恩熙), and hunky Iron Chef played by Lee Sung Min (李聖敏). 

Savour chilli crab tarts during the performance!

Lifting the concept of eat-ertainment to a new high, award-winning RWS Executive Pastry Chef Kenny Kong (圣淘沙名胜世界行政糕点主厨江定佳), who is also the President of the Singapore Pastry Alliance (新加坡烘焙联盟主席), has specially created a new pastry snack for the global premiere of CHEF: Bibimbap vs Chilli Crab. In a divine stroke of genius, Chef Kong has created the distinctive Chilli Crab Tart – a heavenly delectable tart topped with a succulent Singapore chilli crab filling that will tickle audiences’ taste buds further.

This mouth-watering pastry can be purchased at Resorts World Theatre’s food and beverage counter during the weekends. Guests who purchase the weekend VIP category S$118 tickets and Category One S$98 tickets will each receive a complimentary Chilli Crab Tart and a can of Coke.

CHEF: Bibimbap vs Chilli Crab (厨神: 韩国拌饭决战辣椒螃蟹)

Global Premiere: 10 June 2017 (Saturday) | Running till: 22 July 2017 on selected nights at 8pm and selected weekends’ matinees at 2pm | Duration: 75 minutes (no intermission) | Venue: Resorts World Theatre, Resorts World Sentosa

Tickets are priced at S$38, S$48, S$78 and S$98. Prices exclude SISTIC booking fees and handling charges. Tickets can be purchased via: (65) 6348 5555 | www.sistic.com.sg | Resorts World Theatre Box Office.

CHEF: Bibimbap vs Chilli Crab is set to bowl Singapore over, only at Resorts World Theatre (名胜世 界剧场) for a total of 32 shows. Tickets are now on sale.