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By Maria Muller | March 8, 2023
Get ready to savor the flavors of gender equality! As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we want to introduce you to women who are turning up the heat in the culinary world. These talented chefs and mixologists have carved out a name for themselves by creating delicious dishes and cocktails that tantalize the taste buds. But they’re not just masters in the kitchen – they’re also using their platform to promote women’s empowerment. From smashing stereotypes to shattering glass ceilings, these women are an inspiration to us all. So let’s raise a fork and glass to these incredible women on International Women’s Day 2023.
The Undefined Creation
A Singaporean artist, chocolatier, and entrepreneur chef Janice Wong won Asia’s Best Pastry Chef in 2013, 2014 and Pastry Chef of The Year by World Gourmet Summit in 2011, 2013 and 2015.
“I wanted to live in the Amazon to learn about cacao, but my mother said it was too dangerous. I went anyway.”
There is no definition for the fusion of patisserie, art and innovation in chef Janice’s curated edible art installations.
She has created a new medium for creative self-expression. She found that dessert is an afterthought or a remise en bouche after a tasting menu. Therefore, in 2007, she opened the dessert restaurant – 2am: dessertbar. The concept is an experience of being invited into her home, while she cooked in front of her guests who stayed till after midnight. Carefully crafted desserts are paired by the chef to a selection of wine and spirits.
The brand Janice Wong serving a variety of custom-made confectionary is in Singapore, Japan, and London.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling in 2023
Men still dominate the world of professional kitchens. However, Filipina chef Johanne Siy has broken the glass ceiling. She is the first recipient of Asia’s Best Female Chef Award in Singapore.
“Singapore made me realise that hospitality is a viable career. You can pursue something you love and make a living out of it.”
In 2022, after training in NYC and Scandinavia, chef Jo took over Restaurant Lolla in Singapore as Head Chef. Restaurant Lolla is Asian inspired with modern European influences.
“Our cuisine is mindful, respectful of nature, understated in presentation but big on flavours. I believe in produce driven cuisine because in Scandinavia, I saw the process and back breaking work from farm to table.”
“I am more than grateful for the award, but my goal is to make the award obsolete. I want equality and equal representation in kitchens and dining rooms all over the world.”
Rejecting the status-quo
The patriarchy in Japanese culinary tradition was averse to allowing any female applicant to train as a sushi chef. They believed that their monthly period made them unclean.
Chef Aeron developed a tumour in her womb that was surgically removed. It was a silver lining that gave her access to professional kitchens in Tokyo.
In time, she worked as a dishwasher for Master Fujisaki Tadao. This meant working through the daily chores in the kitchen. The hours were long and tedious.
“I was told that women are not suitable to become sushi chefs. But I was stubbornly against taking no or it is not possible for an answer.”
Master Tadao recognised her determination. He committed to support her dream, giving her the professional training, she needed to become a sushi chef. She received a certificate from the Japanese Sushi Instructors Association in Tokyo.
In 2014, she returned to Singapore and opened a donburi shop in a small café. Today, chef Aeron is chef-owner of Restaurant Kappou, an elegant omakase restaurant on Robinson Road in Singapore’s business district.
The Dynamic Duo
Danish-American chef Christina Rasmussen is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. In Copenhagen, she was the head forager of Restaurant Noma, the World’s Best Restaurant in 2021. Chef Christina then joined the Ark Collection, a conscious dining group in Denmark.
Singaporean mixologist Sasha Wijidessa worked with the local Operation Dagger Bar before it ceased operation. In 2019 she moved to Copenhagen and joined the R&D team of the Empirical Flavour Company as Asian brand manager.
In Singapore chef Cristina and Sasha took over the pocket bar Mallow in cooperation with chef Janice Wong. Mallow served contemporary vegan dishes paired with distinctive cocktails.
They moved on from Mallow late last year to open FURA which will be located on Amoy Street in May 2023.
Chef Christina on FURA: “The menu will consist of clean, high-quality plant-based substitutions with no compromise in flavour. A surprise in the menu is the use of insect proteins. We will continue to make majority of our cocktails in bulk before service allowing us to use spirits offered by Ecospirits.”
“Sasha and I fit uniquely well together. We take our assumed roles, she hones the bar and I the food, making sure everything is cohesive.”
The dynamic duo is committed to working with producers who take pride in responsible production and sourcing. They have also planned an extensive garden in the back terrace where guests can dine amongst beds of herbs, vegetables, and fruits.
What’s not to like? We are waiting in the queue!!
Chef, Restaurateur, Conservationist
In an interview chef Tam shares her story: “I went to culinary school in NYC and started working for chef Dan Barber at the restaurants Blue Hill and Stone Barns. I did that for about three years, and I never really looked back from the kitchen after that.” Shortly after her return to Bangkok she was the first winner of the Top Chef competition.
Dan Barber, known as philosopher chef and prophet of the soil, believed in a direct relationship between farm and restaurant. At Restaurant Baan Tepa, Chef Tam champions standards of responsible sourcing and the efficient management of food waste.
“We should be concerned about how everybody can have access to food in the future.”
Housed in a beautiful country home that belonged to her family for three generations. Baan Tepa introduces a locally inspired menu with an American influence.
Guests can enjoy an intimate al fresco corner in the Lemon Tree bar. The garden wing provides a private dining experience in comfortable and elegant surroundings.
In 2022, Restaurant Baan Tepa received its first Michelin star.
If you’re a fan of delectable desserts and exquisite pastries, you’re in for a treat. Meet Maira Yeo, the Singaporean pastry chef whose exceptional culinary skills have earned her the prestigious title of Asia’s Best Pastry Chef in 2022.
Bangkok is renowned for its vibrant street food scene and delicious cuisine, but amongst the chaos of street vendors and tourist hotspots, there lies a hidden gem…
If you’re a fan of delectable desserts and exquisite pastries, you’re in for a treat. Meet Maira Yeo, the Singaporean pastry chef whose exceptional culinary skills have earned her the prestigious title of Asia’s Best Pastry Chef in 2022.
Bangkok is renowned for its vibrant street food scene and delicious cuisine, but amongst the chaos of street vendors and tourist hotspots, there lies a hidden gem…