7 Female Chefs in Singapore to celebrate this International Women’s Day

Despite the plethora of restaurants and dining options that we have in Singapore, only a handful are led or helmed by female chefs or founders – and that’s pretty appalling. Today is International Women’s Day, and with this year’s theme being #pressforprogress, we’re highlighting some of the women in our local F&B industry who continue to inspire us everyday.

Petrina Loh
Chef-Founder, Morsels

Leaving behind her private banking job of 8 years, Chef Petrina took the road less travelled and decided to pursue her passion for food and wine. After undergoing the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu programme at the California Culinary Academy and working at Michelin-starred restaurants such as Spruce and Atelier Crenn, she opened Morsels in 2013 on Little India’s Mayo Street. Now shifted to Dempsey Hill, Morsels successfully bagged the 2017 World Gourmet Summit’s Awards of Excellence – Restaurant of the Year, as well as Chef’s Choice (Western) for Chef Petrina.

Find it at 25 Dempsey Road, #01-04, 249670
Book a table at Morsels and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG.

Samia Ahad
Chef-Founder, Coriander Leaf

Trading in her business suits with chef’s whites back in 1991, Chef Samia is well-respected for being a pioneer in introducing new Asian cuisine to Singapore. Having trained and worked under Michelin-starred Chef Wayne Nish in New York, Chef Samia now brings her expertise to Coriander Leaf – a multi-concept restaurant that she opened in 2001. Apart from gifting good food to Singaporeans, she regularly conducts classes in her cooking studio, and also food-based team-building programmes. Talk about a love for food!

Find it at 30 Victoria Street, #02-01 CHIJMES, 187996
Book a table at Coriander Leaf and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG.

Vivian Wee
Chef-Founder, Comida Mexicana

Chef Vivian of Comida Mexicana didn’t go through the typical route chefs usually take. Instead, she learnt how to cook and prepare dishes on her own in 2000 by observing others. “I realised I was a good copycat… I could replicate a dish after watching how it is done just once,” she told The Straits Times last October. Now founder and director of Comida Mexicana, Chef Vivian even designs her own menus! Oh, and it’s her birthday today too, so Happy Birthday and Happy International Women’s Day to you, Chef Vivian!

Find it at 404 East Coast Rd, Singapore 428998
Book a table at Comida Mexicana by Margarita’s and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG.

Cr: Janice Wong

Janice Wong
Chef-Founder, 2am:dessertbar & JANICE WONG

At the age of only 35, Chef Janice’s unwavering love for the culinary arts has already bore fruits. As founder and head Chef of the well-known 2am:dessertbar, she continues to push the boundaries by creating one-of-a-kind desserts that incorporate both sweet and savoury flavours. Having been named Asia’s Best Pastry Chef twice by San Pellegrino’s Asia’s 50 Best, she also recently launched her eponymous restaurant JANICE WONG at the National Museum.

Find 2am:dessertbar at 21A Lorong Liput, Holland Village, 277733
Find JANICE WONG at 93 Stamford Rd, 01-06, Singapore 178897

 

Cr: Les Amis

Cheryl Koh
Pastry Chef, Tarte by Cheryl Koh

Singapore has not just one, but two women who were named Asia’s Best Pastry Chef! The latest addition is Cheryl Koh – who helms Tarte by Cheryl Koh, a spin-off from the Les Amis Group of Restaurants in Singapore. Having spent time overseas in places such as Dubai and Italy, Chef Cheryl’s fastidious approach towards pastry making ensures that every item that comes out of her kitchen is of the highest quality – both in terms of taste and aesthetic.

Find it at 1 Scotts Rd #02-12 Shaw Centre Singapore, 228208
Book a table at Tarte by Cheryl Koh and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG.

Lyn Lee
Founder, Awfully Chocolate and Ninethirty 

Having spent two years being a lawyer, Lyn Lee wasn’t satisfied with the dessert selections available in Singapore and decided to craft her own, along with a group of friends. In an interview with the BBC back in 2010, Lyn recounts how she was once called “naive” by “someone who told her that business is about expansion and selling products that sell, not just what you like.” Despite that, her persistence and passion for the craft made what started out as a humble store selling only one kind of chocolate cake become an international brand, with operations in countries like China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

Find Ninethirty at 31 East Coast Rd, 428816
Book a table at Ninethirty and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG.

Anna Borrasi
Group Executive Chef, Sicilia Mia Group 

An expert in dishing up authentic Italian Cuisine, Chef Anna has over 30 years of culinary experience in Europe – during which she successfully opened 8 restaurants, all on her own! Now based in sunny Singapore, Chef Anna continues to utilise her creativity and knowledge to manage two restaurants – Etna Italian Restaurant and iO Italian Osteria.

Find Etna Italian Restaurant at 49/50 Duxton Road, 089513
Find iO Italian Osteria at 4 Hillview Rise, 02-01, HillV2, 667979