Chef Umberto Bombana of 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Wins Chef of Chefs Award

I was enjoying a heavenly Piedmont-style white truffle dinner at 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo (Shop 202, Alexandra House, 18 Chater Rd., Central, 2537-8895) a few weeks ago when I heard the great news: chef Umberto Bombana had won the Miele Guide’s top honor with the inaugural Chef of Chefs award!

Having stirred up a lotta culinary buzz since setting foot in Toscana (the much-loved Italian establishment at the old Ritz-Carlton), Bombana now spends his days entertaining diehard fans at 8 ½, the classy fine-dine he created on his own.

8 ½ is barely off the newish restos list (it was opened in January 2010) and already Bombana has been receiving all sorts of attention that many chefs only dream about. This latest acknowledgement from The Miele Guide—one of Asia’s decisive F&B authorities—will probably not be the last we hear of Bombana or his restaurant.