PR94550

LONDON, Feb. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

    Japanese chef Natsuko Shoji of Été in Tokyo is the 2022 recipient of the

Asia's Best Female Chef Award. Voted for by the members of the Asia's 50 Best

Restaurants Academy, the award provides an opportunity for successful women to

be celebrated, whose dedication, skills and creativity set new standards in

gastronomic excellence.

    Shoji will be honoured as part of the 10th annual Asia's 50 Best

Restaurants awards, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, broadcast globally

on the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants Facebook page

(https://www.facebook.com/Asias50BestRestaurants/) and YouTube channel

(https://www.youtube.com/user/worlds50best), on Tuesday, 29th March.

    William Drew, Director of Content for Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, says:

"Natsuko Shoji's elegant dishes reveal her respect for seasonality, attention

to detail and creative vision, making her a worthy recipient of the Asia's Best

Female Chef Award. With her brilliant aptitude for blending fashion and

gastronomy, the chef's creations embody the artistry of Japanese cuisine."

    Shoji began her career at Florilège, the Tokyo restaurant that has been a

high-flier on recent Asia's 50 Best Restaurants lists. In 2014, Shoji opened

Été, a modest tart shop in Tokyo's Shibuya neighbourhood, later transforming

the space into a four-seat, invitation-only restaurant.

    Drawing inspiration from iconic fashion houses, Chef Shoji developed a line

of signature cakes, including her sought-after strawberry cake that takes its

cues from Louis Vuitton's Damier print. While the cake shop earned

near-immediate global attention, Shoji was also honing her culinary craft at

the intimate restaurant, whose profile steadily rose in Tokyo's competitive

dining scene. Été earned acclaim from both celebrities (David Beckham) and

renowned chefs, including René Redzepi and Ferran Adrià. Shoji's status as one

of the culinary world's emerging stars was confirmed when she was named the

2020 recipient of the Asia's Best Pastry Chef Award, sponsored by Valrhona.

    In December 2019, Été expanded to a six-seat restaurant, allowing Shoji to

welcome diners into her exclusive eatery and personally serve her guests. The

chef's 10-course seasonal menu embraces both savoury and sweet dishes and

showcases her meticulous approach and highly creative execution.

    Accepting the honour, Shoji says: "I'm deeply grateful for this award and

would like to express my gratitude to the people who have supported me. I hope

to be a role model to other female chefs in Japan and trust this award will

motivate them to follow their passions."

    Media centre access

    https://mediacentre.theworlds50best.com/

    Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1746200/50_Best_Natsuko_Shoji.jpg

    Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1746199/50_Best_Asia_2022_Logo.jpg

    Source: 50 Best