Justin Quek facts for kids

Justin Quek (born on March 30, 1962, in Singapore) is a famous Singaporean chef. He is known for his special way of mixing French and Asian cooking styles, called Franco-Asian cuisine. Many people around the world know him, and he was the first Asian chef asked to join a special program for top chefs by Lufthansa (an airline).

About Justin Quek

Justin Quek grew up in a Teochew family in Singapore. His family used to run a fruit stall. When he was seven, his father passed away. He has many brothers and sisters, and he went to Broadrick Secondary School.

From Singapore to the World

Justin always dreamed of traveling. After finishing his National Service in Singapore when he was 20, he got a job as a steward on a ship. After two years of working as a seaman, he discovered his passion for cooking.

Learning to Cook

He then went to the Singapore Hotel and Tourism Education Center (SHATEC) for one year to learn the basics of cooking. After he graduated in 1986, Justin continued his cooking training at The Oriental hotels in Bangkok and Singapore. He learned from a chef named Bertrand Langlet, who encouraged him to go to France to learn even more.

In 1991, Justin used all the money he had saved, about $40,000, to travel to France. There, he worked hard to greatly improve his cooking skills.

Chef and Restaurant Owner

He returned to Singapore in 1992 and became the personal chef at the French Embassy. He cooked for two important diplomats there.

Later, Justin joined a restaurant called Les Amis in Singapore. In 2004, he left Les Amis to open a new restaurant called La Petite Cuisine in Taipei. He also opened other restaurants like La Platane (a French eatery), Villa du Lac (a fancy Chinese restaurant), and Fountain. These three were all in Xintiandi, Shanghai. He sold all his businesses in Shanghai in 2009.

In April 2009, he opened Just In Bistro & Wine Bar in Taipei, and in December 2009, he opened a fancy French restaurant called Justin's Signatures. He sold all his businesses in Taipei in 2013. Justin also worked as an advisor for other restaurants in Hong Kong.

In 2010, Justin Quek came back to Singapore. He opened a restaurant called "Sky On 57" at Marina Bay Sands. This restaurant serves his special Franco-Asian food and offers an amazing view of the Singapore skyline.

Amazing Awards and Honors

Justin Quek has won many important awards for his cooking:

• In 2001, he was named Best Chef of the Year at the first World Gourmet Summit (WGS) Awards.
• In 2003 and 2004, he won the title of San Pellegrino Chef of the Year.
• In 2004, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 8th Annual New World Food and Wine Festival.
• In 2005, he received the At-Sunrice GlobalChef Award.
• In 2009, he was added to the World Gourmet Summit Award of Excellence Hall of Fame as Best Chef.