A 'behind-the-scenes' look at Asia's 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2023

Team FoodNews was ‘all hands on deck’ at the event, we were knee-deep in all the excitement (and we're not just talking about the free-flowing cocktails). We want to share a slice of all the action with you, via this photo essay of personal shots. Here is what you would not have seen on social or traditional media. 

While these may not be the usual polished beauty shots you might have seen pre, post and during the event, we invite you—our foodie tribe—to journey with us into what was one of our most exciting evenings in recent times.

We are lucky to have witnessed this coming together of Asia’s gastronomic community after a three-year hiatus (owing to the pandemic, the last full-scale live awards ceremony took place in 2019), and let's just say, we're already counting down the days till we get to do it all over again next year.

But wait, FoodNews is ALSO the appointed agency for Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 happening this July, and The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023 slated to take place in Singapore, in October. 

Needless to say, these are exciting times ahead.

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The calm before the storm of chefs, foodies, restaurateurs, culinary heavyweights, regional media and more. The excitement in the air pre-awards was palpable.

Taking a breather (and a cheeky, pre-awards glass of vino) amidst checking media in, ensuring press conference details are in order, saying hello to everyone in the region’s F&B industry, lining up dissemination details and photo ops, taking media requests …

The list seemed endless, but it all got done. Phew!

Singapore and Odette’s Louisa Lim won the Asia’s Best Pastry Chef 2023, sponsored by Valrhona… and guess which FoodNews team member won  “The most number of Valrhona chocolate truffles eaten while working the event's floor”.

The competition was stiff, but hard work and dedication pays. 

Also, these chocolates were delicious.

When the gastronomic community congregated together under one roof after a three-year hiatus, it was one big foodie party. Thus, tearing chefs away from catching up with their industry friends for photo ops, was no easy feat.

We have so much love for the chefs from the 9 Bangkok restaurants that made the list. They helped us hustle for their photo by waiting patiently, being where we needed them to be, and rallying their colleagues when needed.

The drinks reception preceding the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony had some delicious cocktails on offer. 

We could not sip and sample all, but we spotted our friends from Stay Gold Flamingo shaking things up. Amos Kew was mixing up a mean Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned, and there were many, many takers.

Venue hosts, Resorts World Sentosa put up quite the show with their food offerings.

Seen here are the delectable dumplings from the chefs at Feng Shui Inn. Easy enough to pop into one’s mouth as you run around getting last minute things done.

…. And the ceremony begins! 

Every FoodNews team member’s internal checklist at this point went something like this. 

The media has been seated. Check. 

Photographers have been shown their stage. Check. 

Media requests for interviews have been assigned. Check. 

The press conference room is in order. Check. 

The chefs photo ops are done and dusted. Check.

We are in position to facilitate further media interviews once the winners are announced. Check.

Disseminations have been lined-up. Check.

Time to enjoy the ceremony over the next hour, and grateful to have this delicious Gin Mare G&T for company.

A proud moment as Lolla’s Chef Joanne Siy is honoured as Asia’s Best Female Chef 2023.

We love Chef Jo!

The ceremony is over, and the winners are announced. Team FoodNews is busy facilitating multiple media interviews and managing the No.1 winner’s press conference.

The chefs are jubilant and on a high. We hugely appreciated their cooperation as media members clamour for quotes and sound bites. 

Seen here, Chef Julien Royer (Odette, Best Restaurant in Singapore and No.36) and Chef Louisa Lim (Asia’s Best Pastry Chef 2023) being interviewed by Yimin Ng from Lianhe Zaobao.

We could not manage a complete team photo on the #Asias50Best red carpet, but with every challenging assignment that comes our way — we found a creative solution around it.

See you at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 and The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023.