Pastry enthusiasts and durian lovers in Singapore have a compelling reason to visit The Lobby Lounge at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel this September. From the 4 to the 30 September, the hotel has launched the King & Queen Afternoon Tea, an exclusive collaboration dubbed A Zumbo Affair that forms part of the Singapore Food Festival 2025. This initiative is a partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board and Blake Harris Entertainment.
This event is particularly notable as it marks the first-ever collaboration between the internationally renowned, Australian pâtissier Adriano Zumbo, as seen on Netflix’s Zumbo Just Dessert and other popular baking shows; and Singapore’s own award-winning Pastry Chef Goh Dah Liang. Together with the hotel’s pastry team, they have crafted a unique durian-centric experience available daily from 3 to 5pm during tea time.
Priced at $88++ per set for two persons, which includes free-flow coffee or tea, the afternoon tea is a dedicated celebration of the king of fruits. Warning: please stay clear of this collaboration if you do not like durian as every single item has durian in it. For durian lovers conversely, it is a must-try.
The savoury tier features inventive bites like a Durian Egg Tart, Durian Sticky Rice with Sakura Ebi, and a Durian Croissant with Caramelised Walnut.
We found almost all of the savoury bites to be very enjoyable, sans the sticky rice which has a spongy, soft texture that fell a little short. Overall, still good stuff.
The dessert selection is equally decadent, offering a Pandan Durian Mousse Cake, Durian Cream Puff, Mini Durian Popsicle, and a Coconut Durian Macaron. Pandan and durian may not seem to be the most natural fit, but they work well together surprisingly, presenting something different.
The experience is rounded out with a Coconut Scone served with durian cream and strawberry jam.
True to the Zumbo theme, each set also includes an exclusive Zumbo pastry, two of his signature macarons (Zumbarons), and two Zumbo-inspired cocktails.
For those seeking a definitive Zumbo experience beyond the durian creations, his iconic V8 cake is also available. This masterpiece features eight intricate layers of vanilla chantilly, brûlée, water gel, macaron, almond crunch, dacquoise, ganache, and glaze. The different textures and pure vanilla flavour combine perfectly, resulting in a delicate and intricate cake that is ideal for special occasions.
For those who wish to take the creations home, a selection of signature items from the collaboration, including the V8 cake, will be available for purchase at the hotel’s Deli Counter and at Mise en Place in Dempsey Hill. This limited-time offering provides a chance to enjoy a luxurious, durian-filled afternoon by the Singapore River, presenting local flavour with world-class pastry artistry. Don’t miss it!
