By: Rebecca Simpson
Congratulations are in order! Two Hong Kong-based chefs have made the prestigious Best Chef Awards 2019 Top 100 list. This is a global list that identifies the world’s finest culinary talent, voted by chefs and food lovers. Two chefs also made it from Singapore, but we’re officially calling it: Hong Kong’s food scene is better than Singapore’s! Why? Because, while we’re bragging about food awards, Hong Kong secured more wins at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2019 earlier this year…
So, who are the two Best Chefs in Hong Kong?
Richard Ekkebus, Amber at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental
Chef Richard Ekkebus is the culinary director of Amber at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong. The restaurant was awarded number 21 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list for 2019. Now, he is listed at 34 on this year’s Top 100 Best Chefs, making him the best in Hong Kong, according to his peers. Under Ekkebus’s guidance, Amber was reopened with a new look and a bold approach earlier this year. He’s challenged our preconceptions of fine cuisine and launched a menu that is free from dairy and minimises the use of refined sugar and salt. It’s been a huge success.
More details: Amber restaurant
Agustin Balbi, HAKU Hong Kong
Chef Agustin Balbi was first introduced to our city at The Ocean in Repulse Bay. He now helms the culinary operations of contemporary Japanese restaurant HAKU Hong Kong, and he landed on the list at number 87. Speaking of the award, Balbi says, “We are very happy to receive this great recognition and I’m very humble and honoured that some great chefs around the world had voted for us. This is a huge recognition for the team, a sign that we are on the right path. I’m proud to represent Hong Kong on the Top 100 list along with a true trailblazer, Chef Richard Ekkebus of Amber, and I hope to continue learning from and receiving inspiration from my peers.”
More details: facebook.com/hakuhongkong
Find the full list of winners here!
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