Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants announced yesterday that they will be honouring Taiwan-born chef Andre Chiang with the Diners Club Lifetime Achievement Award- Asia.
The honour will be presented on 27 March 2018 in Macao, at the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants award ceremony.
The 41-year old chef has more than two decades of experience, the last decade of which was spent establishing Singapore as a prime destination on the culinary world map. His flagship restaurant, Andre, closed its legendary doors on 14 February 2018 with a final service for the family members of all the staff members. Chiang even flew down those who lived overseas at his own cost, as a gesture of goodwill and to express his gratitude. Restaurant Andre was awarded two Michelin stars in 2017 and held the #2 position in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
Chef Andre’s decision to down the shutters at the peak of the restaurant’s popularity stunned the culinary world in October 2017. “A restaurant is like a work of art,” he explained. “You take a blank canvas and you paint on it until you achieve (what you call) perfection. But when you do, you must have the courage to set it aside and walk away with a smile.”
Chiang now feels a responsibility to go back to his motherland, Taiwan, and help nurture the talent there. He will focus on his restaurant RAW, which he has requested not be considered for the Michelin guide’s upcoming inaugural Taiwan edition. “These accolades put a certain pressure on the restaurant and do not allow the bud to blossom naturally. I want to build it up first, only focussing on the flavours on the plate and the heart of the diner,” shared this humble chef.
Acknowledging the Lifetime Achievement Award, Chiang said: “While I was thrilled to be the first Chinese chef to appear on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, I am equally honoured to be the first Chinese chef to receive this prestigious award. 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.”
Besides RAW, Andre also has business interests in various other restaurants including the highly-acclaimed Burnt Ends. He also announced that he will be launching three more concepts across the world, one of which will be housed in the same three-story heritage building that Restaurant Andre called home for eight years. These concepts promise to be young and exciting, possibly in the beverage space or even pop-ups. The world watches with bated breath for what this exceptionally talented young chef has up his sleeve next.
