Damian D’Silva

Chef Damian D’Silva has made it his life’s mission to champion heritage cuisine, earning a formidable reputation as Singapore’s unrivalled guardian of vanishing flavours. His culinary journey—from his now-shuttered stalls in Bedok and Holland Grove to once celebrated ventures like Folklore and Restaurant Kin—demonstrates a persistent commitment to excavating and preserving Singapore’s diverse culinary past.

This extensive career, which began with his first restaurant, Soul Kitchen, in 2002, has culminated in significant recognition, including La Liste’s Artisan and Authenticity Award 2024. Now, the chef is marking an extraordinary gastronomic homecoming by unveiling two new dining ventures at the National Gallery Singapore in September 2025. This move holds deep personal significance for the “Rebel Chef,” whose grandfather once served as the caretaker of the very building that now houses the gallery.

The first concept sees his Michelin-selected Rempapa relocate and transition into an all-day café format, offering its signature blend of heritage reverence and contemporary finesse through accessible rice bowls. The second, Gilmore & Damian D’Silva, is named partly after his grandfather and veers into more ambitious territory, promising to resurrect near-extinct Eurasian and Singaporean heritage recipes from the island's storied past.

As D’Silva prepares for this dual opening, he asserts: “With the support of National Gallery Singapore, we’re not just preserving heritage, we’re elevating it for a new generation of diners and museum-goers.” This collaboration between Singapore’s premier art institution and its devoted culinary historian feels essential for celebrating the nation's most vital cultural expressions.