People 2 minutes 10 April 2019

The First Day We Got Our Stars: Paul Lee

The chef-owner shares his feelings about getting a MICHELIN star recognition within eight months of opening innovative restaurant Impromptu By Paul Lee in Taipei.

Though Impromptu by Paul Lee was opened only in August 2018, it only took about eight months to achieve a Michelin star in the MICHELIN Guide Taipei 2019 selection — a lauded feat in the Taiwanese gastronomy scene.
Chef-owner Paul Lee led Impromptu by Paul Lee to one-Michelin-star status in the MICHELIN Guide Taipei 2019. (Pic: MICHELIN Guide Digital)
Chef-owner Paul Lee led Impromptu by Paul Lee to one-Michelin-star status in the MICHELIN Guide Taipei 2019. (Pic: MICHELIN Guide Digital)

The word “impromptu” denotes a sense of spontaneity. Chef-owner Paul Lee is Taiwanese but moved to the United States when he was 10 and started cooking with his grandmother. After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in California, Lee cut his teeth at a slew of renowned restaurants like the now-defunct one-Michelin-starred Veritas, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in New York, Le Cirque in Las Vegas and California's Patina

When he first heard the word “impromptu” in college, he was immediately taken by it and it captured his imagination. He believed that a restaurant should not be limited by cuisine, technique or presentation and the word “impromptu” perfectly captured this sense of freedom.

The dining room of Impromptu by Paul Lee is centred around the counter overlooking the open kitchen where chefs prepare the refined Western-style cuisine. No special privileges are required to see into the inner workings of the kitchen — in Lee’s restaurant, all are equal and everyone gets front row seats to the action.

Ask to sit at the counter so you can watch the team prepare every course in front of your eyes in the expansive open kitchen. (Pic & banner pic: Impromptu by Paul Lee)
Ask to sit at the counter so you can watch the team prepare every course in front of your eyes in the expansive open kitchen. (Pic & banner pic: Impromptu by Paul Lee)
Whether it’s the chefs behind the counter accidentally spilling amaranth grains or puncturing an egg yolk, every frustrated sigh or satisfied smile is witnessed by the guests. In turn, every reaction from the diners is raw and immediate, whether it’s a nod and a compliment or them leaving behind food on the plate. In a space as intimate as this, there’s no room for hiding and it’s as authentic and open an experience as it gets.

Lee is a champion of young talent and employs many a young person in his kitchen. “The kitchen is not a romantic place, you need a lot of physical energy to work here and young people are more willing to put in the time and the hard work here to learn. Moreover, I too learn a lot from them,” he says. He trains his chefs to articulate the ideas behind the dishes to better bring out the uniqueness of the dishes and the inspirations behind them. “All of the dishes here are a product of teamwork. If someone says it’s not up to par, we don’t send it out.”
Impromptu’s signature dessert of white chocolate bread pudding with nitro foie gras. (Pic: Impromptu by Paul Lee)
Impromptu’s signature dessert of white chocolate bread pudding with nitro foie gras. (Pic: Impromptu by Paul Lee)
Lee’s creations always display a sense of liberation, a divergence from the traditional, whether in ingredients, techniques or flavour. He uses whey from yoghurt to add a unique acidity to dishes; his signature dessert of white chocolate bread pudding with nitro foie gras is an intriguing contrast of hot and cold, different textures and a balance of sweet and savoury flavours.

He talks about what it felt like to receive a Michelin star for the first time.
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What was your first encounter with the MICHELIN Guide?
The first time I had contact with the MICHELIN Guide was when I was working for Joel Robuchon in Las Vegas. At that time, the restaurant had only been open for a short while when it received three Michelin stars. I met a lot of great colleagues there who were very talented and had a lot of experience. All of them are on their individual paths to success and they all played a huge role in inspiring me on my own journey as well.

What was it like when your restaurant received a Michelin star for the first time?
I was so happy. I’m not just a chef, but a business owner as well. There have been many people quietly supporting me in this whole journey in many aspects of the business, so I think the recognition belongs to the entire team and I want to extend my gratitude to them.
How did you celebrate?
I cracked open a few bottles of champagne to thank the team.

How has the MICHELIN Guide impacted your career?

I think winning a star will be helpful in uniting the team towards a common goal.

What advice do you have for young chefs?

I would advise them to find the path they want to take and, once the direction is clear, to not hesitate keep moving forward.

This story is written by Chen Ching Yi and translated by Rachel Tan. Click here to read the original article.

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