(Photo: André Chiang)
Chef André Chiang, who continues to wow diners and critical gourmands all around the world with his eight elements ‘Octo-philosophy’ style of cooking, has been awarded The Diners Club Lifetime Achievement Award – Asia for 2018.
The revered Taiwanese-born chef and owner of the now-closed Restaurant André will be presented with the award at the sixth annual Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants ceremony on Mar 27 in Macao. Voted on by members of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, which comprises over 300 leaders in the restaurant and culinary industries throughout Asia, the award is sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna.
“My focus has always been to put Asia on the culinary world map, and this recognition reinforces that goal… I will remember this moment forever,” says Chiang in an article on Hospitality Magazine website.
Chiang also co-owns and manages six other restaurants, including Burnt Ends in Singapore and The Bridge in Chengdu. Here are three more facts about the chef you should know:
1. He sees closing Restaurant André as a new beginning.
The two-Michelin starred restaurant in Bukit Pasoh Road was No. 2 on the 2017 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurant list; and No. 14 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurant list. On the timing of his closure, Chiang mentioned in The Straits Times that this is the “best moment” of his life, where he has spent 30 years in the culinary scene. He even considered returning his Michelin stars, and requested not to be included in next year’s Michelin Guide Singapore.
2. His first culinary experience started in his mother’s humble kitchen
Chiang left school at 13 to learn from his mother in her Chinese restaurant in Japan. He relocated to Montpellier, France later, where he was mentored by Jacques and Laurent Pourcel at the prestigious Le Jardin des Sens. He continued to hone his French cooking techniques while working with famous chefs including Pierre Gagnaire, Michel Troisgros and Jöel Robuchon.
3. He fulfilled a promise to an ice-cream uncle
On the day before he closed his two Michelin-starred restaurant on Feb 14, Chiang delivered a cheque for S$11,370 to 85-year-old ice cream hawker Ng Teak Boon, the man who inspired him to create an upscale version of the classic roadside ice-cream sandwich. The dessert became part of Restaurant Andre’s degustation menu as a “tribute to Ng’s character and craft”. “It is our hope that you will be able to continue to spread the joy, and continue this important tradition and culture that is unique to Singapore,” Chiang said.
The Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list is an offshoot of the coveted annual World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, published by William Reed Business Media.
