14 January 2014
Lanshu Chen, chef of Le Moût restaurantin Taiwan, has been named Veuve Clicquot Asia’s Best Female Chef for 2014. The prestigious award is part ofthe Asia’s 50 BestRestaurantsprogrammesponsored by S. Pellegrino &AcquaPanna and organised by William Reed Business Media.
Lanshu willbe presented with her award at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony on 24 February 2014 at Capella Hotel, Singapore. The award is voted for by over 200 industry experts from across all parts of Asia, who are part of the TheDiners Club® World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy.
After completing her training at the Ferrandi School of Culinary Arts in Paris, Lanshu honed her craft working alongside some of France’s most celebrated chefs, including Pierre Hermé, and at Michelin-starred restaurants such as Les Ambassadeurs, Relaisd’Auteuil and Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry in California.
Returning to her native Taiwan, Lanshu opened Le Moûtin 2008. Located in Taichung city in west Taiwan, Le Moût is renowned for its uncompromising standards and innovative blend of classic and contemporary flavours. Applying the lessons learned from France’s masters of gastronomy, Lanshuhas successfully adapted European concepts for Taiwanese diners.
By combining French culinary traditions with the local influences and ingredients she grew up with, Lanshu reveals both her mastery of authentic French cuisine and her ability to innovate. Her ever-changing menu is founded on classic cooking styles yet informed by her own heritage, creating adelicate cross-cultural fusion of flavours and textures.
“This award recognisesthe commitment, creativityand talent of women in Asia’s restaurant industry and Lanshu Chen is a hugely worthy recipient,” explains VeuveClicquotPresident and CEO Jean Marc Lacave.“Continuing the legacy of Madame ClicquotPonsardin, VeuveClicquot represents modernity, perfection and boldness.Lanshu embodies these values through her flawless presentation, passionate dedication to French culinary practices, and ability to imbue each dish with local ingredients and Asian influences.Aside from inspiring other female chefs to push creative boundaries, her work is elevating the fine dining experience in Asia.”
Acknowledging the honour, Lanshu notes: “As a chef who strives for perfection, I am truly thrilled to receive the VeuveClicquot Asia’s Best Female Chef award from Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. Growing up in Taiwan, food has always been an integral part of my heritage.From an early age I appreciated the pleasures that derive from preparing and sharing meals. It is a great privilege to have my work recognised by the respected industry experts who make up The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy.”
VeuveClicquot Asia’s Best Female Chef Award
The VeuveClicquot Asia’s Best Female Chef award celebrates the work of an exceptional female chef whose cooking excites the toughest of critics. The awardis inspired by the life and achievements of Madame Clicquot who nearly 200 years ago set the standard for women in business. The winner reflects Madame Clicquot’s attributes of innovation, creativity and determination.
How Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list is compiled
Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list is created from The Diners Club® World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, an influential group of over 900 international leaders in the restaurant industry, each selected for their expert opinion of the international restaurant scene. The Academy comprises 26 separate regions around the world. Each region has its own panel of 36 members including a chairperson to head it up. The panel is made up of food critics, chefs, restaurateurs and highly regarded ‘foodies’, each of whom has seven votes. Of the seven votes, at least three must be used to recognise restaurants outside of each voter’s region. At least ten panelists from each region change each year. None of the employees of any of the sponsors associated with the awards, including the main sponsor, votes or has any influence over the results.
Votes for restaurants in the following countries in Asia, cast during the voting period for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, will result in the list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants: Bangladesh, Burma/ Myanmar, Brunei, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, the Maldives, Micronesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards take place at Capella, Sentosa Island,Singapore on Monday 24th February.
Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Individual Awards Categories are:
- The S.PellegrinoBest Restaurant in Asia
- The Diners Club®Lifetime Achievement Award
- The VeuveClicquot Asia’s Best Female Chef Award
- One To WatchAwardsponsored by PeroniNastroAzzurro
- Asia’s BestPastry ChefAwardsponsored by Cacao Barry
- Highest ClimberAwardsponsored by Zacapa Rum
- Highest New EntryAwardsponsored by LesConcierges
Individual country awards sponsored by S.Pellegrino