Combining his love for French chocolate with the unique flavours of Taiwan, Yu Hsuan Cheng established the boutique chocolate label Yu Chocolatier in 2015. At the Tapei patisserie, Yu, who taught himself chocolate making before attending L'ecole Ferrandi Paris, creates an array of irresistible treats such as dark chocolate bonbons, jasmine calamansi mooncakes, whisky chocolate cakes and brandy chocolate tarts. The chef’s work has been recognised around the world, with Yu Chocolatier becoming the first Taiwanese brand to exhibit at Salon du Chocolat Paris, the world’s largest event dedicated to chocolate and cocoa, and chef Yu being named as one of the Gamechanging Producers by 50 Next in 2022.

Read Yu Hsuan Cheng’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

The grand dame of Peranakan cuisine Violet Oon has a long history of championing the Singapore food scene as a chef, food critic, national representative and restaurateur. In 2014, the chef opened Violet Oon Singapore, which was quickly followed by more locations and offshoots, including the National Kitchen at the National Gallery of Singapore and the brand’s Satay Bar & Grill in Clark Quay. With the vision of bringing the best of Singapore to the world, her restaurants offer flavours inspired by Nyonya, Chinese, Indian and Malay cuisines, serving, for example, ikan goreng chilli, Hainanese chicken rice and chendol pudding. These days Oon focuses her energies on giving back, leading the Empowering Lives Food for Good initiative that brings together Singapore’s F&B community for the Community Chest of Singapore.

Read Violet Oon’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

Yenn Wong is behind the Hong Kong-based hospitality group Jia Group, whose portfolio includes high-end restaurants and bars such as Duddell’s (Cantonese), Chachawan (Thai), Mono (Latin American), 22 Ships (Spanish) and its latest venture, Leela, a modern Indian restaurant in collaboration with chef Manuv Tuli. Chef Manuv describes the Leela experience as “...all about walking into my home. The guest is Bhagwan (god). I want people to feel comfortable. I don’t want the experience to be transactional”. For her part, Wong recognises the vision of the talented chefs she works with in Jia, telling Tatler that “...in order for our chefs to excel in what they do, they need to have a bit of freedom in how they conduct their operations to still be able to portray passion and creativity”.

Read Yenn Wong’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

Darren Chin’s DC Restaurant was awarded one Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur and Penang 2023. Beyond the success of his flagship restaurant, Chin recently opened French restaurant Bref, Thai restaurant Gai and pastry house Monsieur Darren at M Resort & Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The trio of openings was not done for the sake of expansion but to support the growth of the founder’s chefs, with chef Lim Wei Han running Bref and pastry chef Hazel Chen taking on Monsieur Darren. “It feels good to empower people and make them feel secure and able to grow where they are. And I’m glad that both of them have ideal kitchens to work and experiment in, enabling them to fully express themselves in this space,” Chin said to Tatler.

Read Darren Chin’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

Chef Tony Boy Escalante expands his brand with new outposts of his popular restaurants, including fine dining restaurant Antonio’s now in luxury car showroom PGA Cars, Breakfast at Antonio’s at Robinsons Magnolia and retail arm Pedro the Grocer available online and at its Makati shop. With plans on further growth, the chef looks to his family to secure the future of his food business, with his eldest son Sebastian managing Pedro and the group’s expansion projects. Up next: the celebrated chef is considering his hometown of Bacolod: “I want to have a good bakery in Bacolod and do breakfast and lunch. I’m also building a venue for events,” he said to Tatler.

Read Antonio “Tony Boy” Escalante’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

Tatler Asia’s Most Influential is the definitive list of people shaping our world today. Asia’s Most Influential brings together the region's most innovative changemakers, industry titans and thought leaders who are driving positive impact in Asia and beyond. View the full list here.

NOW READ

These Asian tastemakers are behind the best dining experiences in the region

Everything you need to know about Antarctica’s shrinking ice in the time of rapid climate change

Meet the inspiring women who are advancing science in Asia