GastroBeats 2026 returns to Bayfront Event Space for its fifth year, offering a mix of food, entertainment, and activities for weekend visitors. This year’s event features a range of attractions, including pickleball courts, dino beef ribs, and cinema-themed photobooths, alongside returning favourites and new additions designed to draw families, friends, and food lovers. The festival continues to position itself as a popular lifestyle outing in Singapore, blending dining with interactive experiences and leisure activities. As one of the featured stories of the day, GastroBeats highlights the growing appeal of large-scale food festivals that go beyond eating and create a full day of entertainment for attendees.
In the F&B scene, Kam’s Roast director Robert Chua said several stallholders have thanked him for speaking out after he publicly criticised the chain’s alleged removal from Ion Orchard’s Food Opera. Chua claimed that as much as 95% of the food court’s stalls may be changing, a statement that has drawn attention within Singapore’s food community. The dispute has sparked discussion about tenant turnover, lease changes, and the pressures faced by established food brands in busy retail locations. Stallholders who contacted him reportedly expressed appreciation for his willingness to raise the issue, suggesting wider concern among vendors about the situation.
A separate incident involved a domestic worker in Singapore who allegedly stole $17,000 from her employer’s children in a Queen Astrid home. According to the report, the maid took the cash repeatedly to support an online gambling habit through a gambling app. The case underscores the risks linked to addiction and the financial harm it can cause within households, especially when trust is abused in a family setting. It also reflects broader concerns about the accessibility of online gambling and its potential to lead to repeated theft and other offenses.
Meanwhile, former TVB actor Joe Ma was hospitalised after suffering severe inflammation in his leg. The 57-year-old told fans via Instagram Stories that he was in “pure agony,” sharing a photo from his hospital bed showing a catheter in his left arm and his right leg wrapped in a sleeve. The update prompted concern from followers and added to public interest in the actor’s health condition. His post offered a rare glimpse into the seriousness of the medical issue, though further details about his diagnosis and recovery were not immediately provided.
