Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2019 announced in Macao last night stamped the seal of approval on Ubud Food Festival 2019 Presented by ABC (UFF) as Asia’s leading culinary event. From 26-28 April, a host of chefs on this year’s list – the region’s premier restaurant awards – will collaborate for one-off special events, demonstrate signature dishes at the Kitchen Stage, and participate in in-depth discussions at the Food for Thought stage. The 2019 list is also replete with previous UFF restaurants, cementing the Festival’s position as Asia’s leading food festival.
At #18 is il Ristorante Luca Fantin in Tokyo. At this year’s UFF Chef Luca Fantin will collaborate with Nic Vanderbeeken who leads the kitchens at The Viceroy’s Apéritif for eight courses of modern Mediterranean masterpieces on 27 April. Earlier that day Fantin will demonstrate risotto carnaroli cooked in parmesan water at the Kitchen Stage.
At #20 is Le Du in Bangkok. Chef Thitid Tassanakajohn, known as Ton, will bring his progressive Thai dishes rooted in tradition to the pre-UFF Special Event at Alila Seminyak’s Seasalt on 24 April. From then on Chef Ton has a busy Festival schedule, demonstrating chu chee curry at the Kitchen Stage and participating in the Reality Bites discussion at the Food for Thought stage (26 April), and cooking for the special events Best of Asia at Nusantara by Locavore (27 April), and Into the Wild at Locavore (28 April).
At #42 is Indonesia’s only list entrant, Ubud’s hometown heroes Locavore, which also received the Sustainable Restaurant Award for promoting sustainable practices in all its facets. Generous supporters of UFF since its inception, Chefs Eelke Plasmeijer and Ray Adriansyah will collaborate for the Special Events Best of Asia and Into the Wild.
UFF is also thrilled to welcome new entrants to this year’s Asia’s 50 Best List. At #43 is Toyo Eatery in Manila. Chef Jordy Navarra presents familiar Filipino flavors through bright new dishes, and will demonstrate the Filipino version of ceviche at the Kitchen Stage on 26 April. He’s also part of the Special Events Best of Asia and Into the Wild, and the Stories from Behind the Pass discussion on 26 April.
Another new entrant is Dewakan at #46 – the first time a Malaysian restaurant has been included in the Asia’s 50 Best list. Chef Darren Teoh will bring his modern Malaysian cuisine to the Kitchen Stage on 27 April, and to the special events Best of Asia and Into the Wild. He’ll also share his experiences at The Dark Side and Stories from Behind the Pass discussions.
“At UFF19 I am looking forward to cooking with friends and serving people great food. I am extremely keen to be able to share a kitchen with people I respect and am constantly encouraged by,” said Teoh.
JL Studio in Taiwan received the One to Watch Award for 2019, after Toyo Eatery was last year’s recipient. Chef Jimmy Lim will demonstrate his modern Singaporean cuisine with a mushroom and abalone version of Singapore’s famous bak kut teh at the Kitchen Stage on 26 April. He’ll join the other Asia’s 50 Best chefs for the special events Best of Asia and Into the Wild, and is part of the Stories from Behind the Pass discussion.
This year’s Asia’s 50 Best list features many restaurants that were part of previous years of UFF, including Odette at #1 (UFF16), Gaggan at #2 (UFF18), Burnt Ends at #10 (UFF15), and Bo.Lan at #19 (UFF17).
“We send our warm congratulations to all chefs who made this year’s Asia’s 50 Best list,” commented UFF Founder & Director Janet DeNeefe. “And of course a special congratulations to all the listed chefs who will help us serve this year’s UFF. We’re thrilled to be bringing you together in Ubud next month for the fifth year of Asia’s best – and spiciest – food festival!”
For the full list of Special Events click here, and for all Kitchen Stage sessions click here. Don’t forget, the best way to experience all the action of the Kitchen Stage is with the FoodLover Pass – get yours before it’s too late!
