A lot of speculation surrounded the unveiling of Singapore’s second MICHELIN guide this year, and the results were announced to much fanfare. Amidst the loud cheers and aplomb though were also plenty of fun and touching moments that came together to make the night a resounding success.
The results for the one-Michelin-starred restaurants kicked off the night with a heartwarming moment, when chef Haikal Johari of Alma by Juan Amador got up from his wheelchair and walked a few steps across the stage to a standing ovation from the crowd.
Australian chefs Sam Aisbett and Rishi Naleendra of newly-minted one-starred restaurants Whitegrass and Cheek by Jowl also added to the boisterous mood by hopping into one of chef Tetsuya Wakuda’s media interviews to take a selfie with their mentor chef while he fielded questions on how he felt being the only new two-Michelin-starred entrant this year.
Below, more highlights from the MICHELIN guide Singapore Star Event captured in pictures.
SEE ALSO: Full List: The 2017 MICHELIN guide Singapore Results Announced
The results for the one-Michelin-starred restaurants kicked off the night with a heartwarming moment, when chef Haikal Johari of Alma by Juan Amador got up from his wheelchair and walked a few steps across the stage to a standing ovation from the crowd.
Australian chefs Sam Aisbett and Rishi Naleendra of newly-minted one-starred restaurants Whitegrass and Cheek by Jowl also added to the boisterous mood by hopping into one of chef Tetsuya Wakuda’s media interviews to take a selfie with their mentor chef while he fielded questions on how he felt being the only new two-Michelin-starred entrant this year.
Below, more highlights from the MICHELIN guide Singapore Star Event captured in pictures.
Hawker Chan who retains his Michelin star for Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle shakes hands with Bibendum, Michelin's mascot.
Hawker Chan shot to worldwide fame soon after gaining his star in the debut of Singapore's MICHELIN guide. In a candid moment, we ask him what he thought about this year's ceremony compared to the last. His response: “Too many people! It’s very hard for me to remember everyone,” he exclaims with chuckle.
Chef Han Liguang of newly crowned one-Michelin-starred Labyrinth. It is the only restaurant with a star that serves Mod Sin cuisine.
Chef Jason Tan of one-Michelin-starred Corner House prepares his dish of smoked Patagonian toothfish with celeriac remoulade, Alsatian bacon and Manjimup black truffle.
Chef Sun Kim from newly crowned one-Michelin-starred Meta.
Chef Sun Kim, a protege of chef Tetsuya Wakuda received a Michelin star for his work at Meta. "It was my dream (to get a Michelin star) and tonight, dreams come true," he says.
Right: Chef Haikal Johari from Alma; Centre: Chef Andre Chiang from Restaurant Andre; Left: Chef Curtis Duffy from Chicago's Grace Restaurant.
Chef Haikal Johari took over one-Michelin-starred Alma from departing chef Christophe Lerouy. On top of going through physiotherapy to regain mobility, chef Haikal faced the pressure of retaining the star for his restaurant. “I feel very happy and grateful," he says. "I couldn’t sleep for a few weeks before tonight. Yes, I was worried that due to my limitations and I need a lot of time to talk and show my team what I need, but like I said I have a great team behind me so I am very thankful to them as well.”
Chef Curtis Duffy plates up his dish
Chef Curtis Duffy of three-Michelin-starred restaurant Grace was flown in specially for the night. His dish was plated on stage to a live audience in the ballroom as well as at home via a Facebook live feed.
"We have a philosophy in the restaurant to look at what we do in the restaurant every single day," says on stage. "We have to achieve something greater today than we did yesterday."
"This is a particularly great moment," says Michael Ellis, International Director of the Michelin Guides on Waku Ghin's elevation to two stars. "This is what we really like and what Michelin inspectors like to find. We were impressed last year with what we saw and this year the inspectors went back and you really upped your game and it was fantastic. Probably, the best is yet to come. Well done!”
At the end of the evening, all the chefs who worked together for a successful evening joined Michael Ellis and Bibendum on stage for a final cheer. What an evening indeed.
