Food and Drink Awards: Chef of the year
Richard Ekkebus, Amber
Just when we thought Amber couldn’t get better than it already was, executive chef Richard Ekkebus (who is also The Landmark Mandarin Oriental’s director of culinary operations) shows that he still has plenty of tricks up his sleeves. In the latest of his long list of achievements, the Dutch-born chef led his team to a coveted 37th placing in this year’s S Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. The last time a Hong Kong eatery made it into the list was back in 2005. His iconic foie gras lollipop encased in raspberry and beet gelée goes without saying and his other signatures – sea urchin encased in lobster jell-O and red amadai with fennel and orange confit – are all smart and sophisticated, if not downright amazing. In the seven (and counting) years that he’s been in Hong Kong, Ekkebus has done nothing but impress us and we have an inkling that he plans to continue doing just that. 7/F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental,
15 Queen’s Rd Central,
2132 0066; www.amberhongkong.com. Daily 7am-10.30am, noon-2.30pm & 6.30pm-10.30pm.
Runner up
Matt Abergel, Yardbird
Ok, we admit it – we love Matt Abergel. Though the Yardbird owner came just short of winning this year’s best chef title, we’ll happily crown him the coolest cook in town.
33-35 Bridges St, Sheung Wan,
2547 9273; www.yardbirdrestaurant.com. Mon-Sat 6pm-late. Closed Sun.
Readers' Choice
Vinny Lauria of Linguini Fini has won you over with his pastas and house-cured salumi.
1/F, The L Place, 139 Queen’s Rd Central,
2857 1333; www.linguinifini.com. Mon-Thu noon-10.30pm, Fri-Sat noon-11pm & Sun noon-4pm, 6pm-10.30pm.
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