Hong Kong's Top Female Chefs
Spatulas down, boys: these five female chefs are making their mark on the traditionally male-dominated dining industry. By Mark Yuen and Laura Ma
High-end kitchens all over the world have long been dominated by grumpy men with drooping pot-bellies—and Hong Kong is no exception. However, a new wave of prominent female restauranteurs are picking up their kitchen knives and cooking up a storm, with bold new ventures that are shaping the local dining scene. We talk to five capable cooks from our city about their passion-turned-career.
The Pho Queen: Duyen Hackett
Chef Duyen Hackett recently opened a tiny buy trendy noodle bar called Noodlemi in Sheung Wan, serving MSG- and gluten-free Vietnamese dishes.
Hackett officially started her career in 1990 as head chef at 97 Group’s Post 97. Being a self-trained home chef, she tells us her stint at Post 97 was quite stressful. “It was nerve-racking as I had no previous training or experience,” Hackett explains. “But I love working with food, creating new dishes and keeping everyone happy.”
Hackett believes that back then, she got her job out of pure luck—but how things have changed. Since 1991, Hackett has been running her own successful catering service. Soon afterwards, seeing that there were very few high-end Vietnamese eateries in the city, she opened her first restaurant, Song, with the 97 Group in 2000. In November 2012, her second labor of love, Noodlemi, was born.
Hackett’s style? “[It’s] fresh, innovative, seasonal and inviting,” She says. “My cooking style varies from Asian, Mediterranean and western cuisines, combining both contemporary and traditional food.”
Now, she’s more about the backstage work, including creating new dishes for Noodlemi as well as building her own catering portfolio. “I am a little shy with customers, so my business partner does all the talking,” she says. “I am more at ease with friends coming around.”
Hackett admits that it’s challenging to run a restaurant, especially when it comes to keeping a good team and providing regular training to the staff in order to maintain high standards. Despite having so many commitments, Hackett has decided to move right ahead to other ventures—a private kitchen is currently in the works, not to mention more Noodlemi branches.
Speaking of memorable experiences, Hackett cites catering for Elton John and the Rolling Stones, having Michelin-starred Joel Robuchon and his team over at for a home-cooked meal. You know, the usual.