Savour (SVR) BlackBookAsia’s carefully curated list of our favourite Michelin chefs from around the globe. Each with their own distinct personalities yet all with an unyielding passion for cooking. Here are our specially selected individuals we admire behind the scenes.
Jeong Ho Kim, 26th in World’s 50 Best and 2 Michelin Stars, Jungsik Restaurant Seoul
Representing the Korean Peninsula is Executive Chef Jeong Ho Kim from Jungsik Restaurant who, along with the restaurant’s chef-owner, Jungsik Yim, brought molecular mastery to South Korea’s capital – the restaurant reinvented Korean cuisine using traditional and familiar ingredients to create a new genre of food, New Korean Fine Dining. Jeong Ho Kim joined the opening team of Jungsik restaurant in Seoul in 2009 as Sous Chef and 2011 moved to the United States where he played an integral role […]
Bernard Bach, 2 Michelin Stars, Le Puits Saint-Jacques France
The son and grandson of restaurateurs, Bernard grew up among the pots, pans and mixed aromas of kitchens. At 13 he began to earn his crust as a waiter and later set off on a tour of France which ultimately led to his first Michelin star in 1997. He returned home in 1999, settling with his family in Pujaudran, close to Toulouse. His approach to cooking is celebrated for its simplicity, focusing on a respect for the seasons and the […]
Ryohei Hieda, 2 Michelin Stars, Shoun RyuGin Taiwan
Born in 1981 in Nagasaki, Ryohei Hieda began his professional career in 2000 at the age of 19 by apprenticing at the prestigious Kyoto restaurant Gion Nakagawa. During his training, he acquired fundamental knowledge and techniques of traditional Japanese cuisine. In 2005, chef Hieda returned to Kyushu to work at the famed restaurant Itaru where he learned to make artisanal salt and the expert use of it in the seasoning of dishes. He also gained deep appreciation of using the […]
Yoshio Sakuta, 2 Michelin Stars, Shoukouwa
Born and raised in Hokkaido, Japan, Chef Yoshio Sakuta has accumulated over 20 years of premium sushi experience. At19, Chef Sakuta formally began his career as a Sushi Chef with Ganko Sushi at their Atsubetsu branch, honing his skills there for the next three years. With the enormous interest and rise of popularity of Japanese restaurants in US then, Chef Sakuta joined Hotaru in San Francisco as its Sushi Chef, where he remained for four years. He returned to Japan […]
Shinji Ishida, 1 Michelin Star, Nogizaka Shin Japan
From 1996, Ishida started training in numerous traditional Japanese restaurants in Tokushima, many of which were considered to be the finest purveyors of Japanese cuisine in the country. In 2011, he joined the three Michelinstarred restaurants Ginza Koju as Chef de Cuisine and two years later, travelled to Paris to launch an international outpost of Ginza Koju, gaining a Michelin star shortly after. He returned to Japan in 2015 to resume his role and one year later, with the help […]
Paul Longworth, 1 Michelin Star, Rhubarb Le Restaurant
Paul started his career after being enrolled at the Butler’s Wharf Chef School in London. As it was an inititive set up by Conran Restaurants, after completion he was was offered a job & mentorship at the Blue Print Café under head chef Jeremy Lee. It was here that Paul started to learn about ingredients, farm to fork produce and a cuisine style that was very modern European. After a few years Paul had the opportunity to go and work […]
Emmanuel Stroobant, 1 Michelin Star and Relais & Châteaux, Saint Pierre
Chef Emmanuel Stroobant has indeed come a long way! Hailing from Belgium, his career began at a tender age of 16 with the cleaning of dishes in one of his country’s best restaurants. He had oped that this part time job would help pay his way through university as his first ambition was to be a lawyer. Whilst finishing high school and juggling between academics and his night job, Stroobant took an affinity to his working environment, and was soon on his way to […]
Jean-Michel Lorain, Michelin Starred Chef, 2 Michelin Stars La Côte Saint Jacques & J’AIME by JML
Jean-Michel Lorain has received numerous accolades throughout his career in recognition of his unrivalled expertise in the art of preparing fine cuisine. In 1993, the prestigious Gault et Millau restaurant guide proclaimed him Chef of the Year, awarding his cuisine the highest mark of 19.5. In the interests of putting the spotlight away from himself and onto his team and their peerless dedication, Jean-Michel does not place himself at centre stage, even willingly admitting to a certain distrust of awards and the many […]
Han Li Guang, 1 Michelin Star Labyrinth, Singapore
Chef Han Li Guang, Chef owner Labyrinth was born out of Chef Owner LG Han’s passion for cooking and his creative energy that challenges common perceptions, both in taste and visuals. Born to 3 generations of restaurateurs and F&B operators, food was never far from Han’s mind. So having gained his financial degree from the London School of Economics and working for 3 years as a corporate banker in Singapore, he decided to quit and pursue his first love food. […]
Kirk Westaway, 1 Michelin Star and 42nd in Asia’s 50 Best Jaan, Singapore
Chef de Cuisine Kirk Westaway stays true to his Devonshire upbringing through his devotion to fresh, seasonal produce, allowing him to cultivate a truly Modern European experience at Jaan. The dedication of his team has gained them the honor of 1 Michelin star and being placed 11th in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. Kirk was awarded Young Chef 2015 and Rising Chef of the Year last year, placing him in the top tier of his profession. Kirk’s dream dinner guest would […]
Fung Man-Ip, 1 Michelin Star, Duddell’s Hong Kong
From Hong Kong, Chef Fung Man-Ip has many years’ experience cooking Cantonese cuisine with his expert modern twist. As Executive Chef at Duddell’s, he will focus on leading the talented culinary team at Duddell’s to create Cantonese dishes emphasising the flavourful and aromatic flavours synonymous with the region’s most loved ingredients. Chef Fung is a highly respected Cantonese chef and well-established in the Chinese culinary scene. Most recently he worked at Michelin-starred Dynasty Restaurant in Renaissance Hotel and he is […]
