“Singaporean Chef Mathew Leong, 29, Guides Norwegian Restaurant to Prestigious Three Michelin Stars”

SINGAPORE – At just 29, executive chef Mathew Leong has achieved a feat few chefs worldwide can claim: leading a restaurant to three Michelin stars. The Norwegian restaurant Re-naa, helmed by Leong, was awarded this distinction at the Michelin Guide Nordic Countries 2024 ceremony on May 27, making him the second Singaporean chef after Jimmy Lim to attain this honor.

Leong’s culinary journey is still unfolding, as he now prepares to compete in the Bocuse d’Or Asia 2024 in China this September, with hopes of advancing to the final in Lyon in January 2025. Known as the “Olympics” of the culinary world, the Bocuse d’Or is one of the most prestigious chef competitions globally. If successful, Leong could make history as the first Singaporean and youngest Asian chef to win gold at the final.

The news of Re-naa’s third Michelin star came as a surprise to Leong, who was preparing for a Bocuse d’Or fundraising event with chef Cheung Siu Kong in Singapore when he received a flood of congratulatory messages. “We didn’t expect it, so we were overjoyed to achieve this together as a team,” Leong shared. He noted that while the award is an incredible achievement, maintaining the three-star standard will require sustained dedication.

Since returning to Norway, Leong has held several meetings with Re-naa’s chef-owner Sven Erik Renaa and his wife Torill, strategizing on how to uphold the restaurant’s newly awarded status. He believes the recognition will bring exciting opportunities to Re-naa and bolster his drive for the Bocuse d’Or Asia competition. Despite his busy schedule, Leong dedicates Sundays and Mondays to training with his team, aiming to bring home a podium finish for Singapore.

As he balances the demands of a three-star restaurant and rigorous competition preparation, Leong hopes his journey inspires young Singaporeans to strive for excellence in their fields. “I want to see more young people pursuing their potential and proudly representing Singapore,” he said.