Sam Leong: Defining a Culinary Icon

Sam Leong is one of the most forward-thinking, talked about, celebrated and controversial chefs of his generation. This entertaining and often amusing account of Sam’s life and career examines his rise from troubled childhood to Modern Chinese culinary maestro and famed celebrity chef. Sam’s innovations and achievements are viewed through the lens of local and international gastronomy, in order to better understand his place in Singapore’s haute cuisine landscape.

Filled with fascinating insights, this biography of one man’s amazing journey through food and cooking will engage not only epicureans, but anyone interested in the extraordinary culinary revolution unfolding today.

With 26 years of culinary expertise, Sam Leong has served world famous public figures such as Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, former US presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton including Queen Elizabeth II of England. Trained in culinary arts by his father, a Malaysian Chef well known for his shark’s fin dishes, Chef Leong has come a long way.

His list of accolades includes being named Best Asian Ethnic Chef of the Year at World Gourmet Summit Awards of Excellence in 2001, 2002 and 2004 and Executive Chef of the Year and Chef of the Year in 2005. He was also named Chef of the Year at the Hospitality Asia Platinum Award (HAPA) in 2006 and 2007. In 2008, Chef Leong was awarded the Five Star Diamond Award and was recognized as one of the finest chefs worldwide in the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences and another award in 2009 – Asian Cuisine Chef of the Year “regional” by the World Gourmet Summit, Singapore.182