Siy, who’s the first Singapore-based chef to earn this prestigious accolade, will be honoured at the in-person ceremony in Singapore on March 28
Johanne Siy, the Filipina head chef of Mediterranean-inspired Lolla restaurant, has been named Asia’s Best Female Chef 2023. Voted for by the 300-plus members of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, the accolade is given annually to the women in gastronomy who have made their mark in the culinary world with their craft, skills and techniques.
William Drew, the director of content for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, shares that Siy is a worthy recipient of the award thanks to her “deep understanding of the provenance of ingredients and her flair for presenting cuisine that is produce-driven”. Her creative dishes are often imbued with the culinary traditions she grew up with in her hometown of Dagupan, Philippines.
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Siy has been helming Lolla since 2020 and has helped the restaurant place at No. 75 in the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants extended 51-100 list. She has been winning gourmands over with her innovative creations such as the crab ‘relleno’, aligue sauce and kaffir lime, which is a tribute to her Filipino roots, as well as her signature small plate of sturgeon and caviar drenched in a rich egg yolk sauce.
Last October, Siy also showcased her creativity in the kitchen by creating off-menu dishes (or dishes that she has never cooked before) with Spanish chef Chele Gonzalez at Tatler Dining Singapore’s inaugural Off Menu Luxe.
In winning the prestigious accolade, Siy shares that “it is great validation for my team and I, for all the hard work invested in bettering our craft every single day.” She adds: “I want to shine a spotlight on the work of remarkable women in our industry, in the hopes that one day we as a community can thrive and reach new heights by leveraging the symbiosis that a truly egalitarian workforce brings.”
Siy will be honoured at the Asia’s 50 Best live ceremony, which will take place in Singapore on March 28.