How Kelvin Au Yeung, Jade Dragon’s executive chef, rose to the challenge and added a third Michelin star
The Hong Kong native, who took up the role only six months ago, has also expanded the menu at the renowned Chinese restaurant at City of Dreams, Macau
Kelvin Au Yeung, executive chef of Jade Dragon at City of Dreams, Macau, knew he would have big shoes to fill when the then-executive chef left to join another hotel last year.
Jade Dragon had consistently received two Michelin stars since 2016 – and has been on South China Morning Post’s 100 Top Tables list since 2014 – and everyone was waiting with bated breath to see if it could retain its stars.
It is also one of only two Macau restaurants to make the Asia’s Best 50 Restaurants 2019 list.
Au Yeung, who has risen through the ranks of senior sous chef, chef de cuisine and executive sous chef since Jade Dragon opened in 2012, did not let the challenge faze him. He went one better and led his team to the missing star.
“We didn’t really expect it,” the Hong Kong native says.
“Although in the past seven years we had gone from one star to two, we weren’t sure if the changes would affect our rankings. So we were really excited when we won the third star.
“Besides the food, one of our great assets are really the serving staff, who can remember our guests’ preferences from previous visits and make great recommendations.”
Besides the food, one of our great assets are really the serving staff, who can remember our guests’ preferences from previous visits and make great recommendations.
Since taking over as executive chef six months ago, Au Yeung has quietly gone about making his own mark at the establishment by expanding the menu to include new specialities.