DINING

Cooking up a storm

Amber Lai meets female chefs firing up the grill this International Women’s Day

These female chefs are challenging the norm and showing who is boss in the kitchen. Taking inspiration from their true love, passion and childhood memories for food, these chefs have created unique eateries and food experiences that showcase passion, creativity and skills.

Vicky Lau

After graduating with a degree in Graphic Communications, Vicky Lau’s career took a U-turn and she went on to become one of Hong Kong’s leading ladies on the foodie scene. Following her 2021 Hong Kong Michelin guide win, Lau is the first female chef in Asia to receive two Michelin stars for her restaurant Tate Dining Room. The restaurant demonstrates her love for culinary art and its ability to showcase personality, limitless imagination and inspiration. tate.com.hk

Stephanie Wong

After nine years in the banking industry, Stephanie left her job at HSBC to pursue her true passion in the culinary arts. After cooking in Michelin starred restaurants including Amber, Wong opened FrenchCantonese bistro, Roots. “Seeing other role models ahead of your time succeed in their realm empowers you to hope and to dream big,” says Wong. She hopes to set an example for future female generations inspiring them to achieve their dreams.

rootseatery.com

May Chow

by World’s 50 Best Restaurants, May Chow is a culinary influence in Hong Kong. She famously put her unique spin on the traditional Chinese bao with the creation of her signature mini-bao buns, she then went on to create a whole restaurant around them. Little Bao is known for its flavourful and innovative sandwiches, with both sweet and savoury options. Chow also brings an east-meets-west feel to her famous gastropub, Second Draft creating fusion dishes such as a Shanghai dip, cured sausage risotto, mapo burrata and a fuyu carbonara. little-bao.com

Peggy Chan

Caving the way for not only female chefs but vegetarian cuisine, Peggy Chan has become an advocate, spokesperson and role model in Hong Kong. She has packaged her culinary knowledge into a digital cookbook called Provenance which sheds light on sustainable-yet-delicious food. Chan has even collaborated with local restaurants to promote plant-based eating and organic sourcing, creating concepts such as The Aftershroom Burger with Beef & Liberty.

Behind bars

Beckaly Franks

As co-owner and head bartender at The Pontiac, Beckaly Franks is shaking up the male-dominated bar industry. Her bar exudes her very likeable personality with a ‘bad-ass’ style and a fondness for rock and roll music. This has helped the bar earn a spot on Asia’s 50 best bars list for five consecutive years. Franks was also the first female mixologist to win the 42 Below Cocktail World Cup.