Filipina Johanne Siy named best Asia's Best Female Chef 2023

Johanne Siy, the Filipino head chef of Lolla in Singapore, has been crowned Asia’s Best Female Chef 2023 by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Born in Dagupan, Siy left a corporate career to pursue her passion for food.

According to the organization, she trained at The Culinary Institute of America in New York. She also apprenticed under chefs Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin and Daniel Boulud of Café Boulud.

Since then, Siy has had leadership experiences in top restaurants across the world, plus working in farms and foraging. She also worked at Restaurant André in Singapore before becoming the head chef of Lolla in 2020.

Lolla is dubbed as one of Singapore’s most exciting restaurants, featuring modern cuisine with flavors from both Nordic countries and “gastronomic inspirations from Asia.”

“Siy is justifiably proud of her coronation as Asia’s Best Female Chef 2023,” the organization said.

“Hailing from a part of the world where women leading kitchens is still something of a novelty, she is happy that her achievements are being recognised. However, she believes that her own personal notoriety is just the tip of the iceberg for female representation in kitchens,” it added.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants is set to announce its list on March 28. —Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News