Lanshu Chen Wins Asia's Best Female Chef 2014

Chef Lanshu Chen of Taichung, Taiwan's Le Moût has been named the Veuve Clicquot Asia's Best Female Chef for 2014. Le Moût opened in 2008 and serves a menu that is inspired by Chen's extensive French culinary training as well as local ingredients. Before opening Le Moût, Chen worked at Les Ambassadeurs, Relais d'Auteuil, and The French Laundry. Chen is also a Grand Chef Relais & Chateux. Chen is the second chef to take home this honor; last year's winner was Duangporn "Bo" Songvisava of Bo.lan in Bangkok, Thailand. Chen will be honored at the Asia's 50 Best Restaurant awards ceremony in February. Maybe her restaurant will be added to the 2014 list as well?

While the S. Pellegrino's World 50 Best Restaurants organization continues to present awards for best female chefs, some wonder whether creating a separate award for female chefs helps or hurts the gender bias in food media. Winners of the Best Female Chef award include Italian chef Nadia Santini, Spanish chef Elena Arzak, and French chef Anne-Sophie Pic, while Brazilian chef Helena Rizzo was named Latin America's 2013 Best Female Chef. Below, the press release:

ASIA'S 50 BEST RESTAURANTS NAMES LANSHU CHEN OF TAIWAN'S LE MOÛT AS VEUVE CLICQUOT ASIA'S BEST FEMALE CHEF

Lanshu Chen, chef of Le Moût restaurant in Taiwan, has been named Veuve Clicquot Asia's Best Female Chef for 2014. The prestigious award is part of the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants programme sponsored by S. Pellegrino & Acqua Panna and organised by William Reed Business Media.

Lanshu will be presented with her award at Asia's 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony on 24 February 2014 at Capella Hotel, Singapore. The award is voted for by over 200 industry experts from across all parts of Asia, who are part of the The Diners Club® World's 50 Best Restaurants Academy.

After completing her training at the Ferrandi School of Culinary Arts in Paris, Lanshu honed her craft working alongside some of France's most celebrated chefs, including Pierre Hermé, and at Michelin-starred restaurants such as Les Ambassadeurs, Relais d'Auteuil and Thomas Keller's The French Laundry in California.

Returning to her native Taiwan, Lanshu opened Le Moût in 2008. Located in Taichung city in west Taiwan, Le Moût is renowned for its uncompromising standards and innovative blend of classic and contemporary flavours. Applying the lessons learned from France's masters of gastronomy, Lanshu has successfully adapted European concepts for Taiwanese diners.

By combining French culinary traditions with the local influences and ingredients she grew up with, Lanshu reveals both her mastery of authentic French cuisine and her ability to innovate. Her ever-changing menu is founded on classic cooking styles yet informed by her own heritage, creating a delicate cross-cultural fusion of flavours and textures.

"This award recognises the commitment, creativity and talent of women in Asia's restaurant industry and Lanshu Chen is a hugely worthy recipient," explains Veuve Clicquot President and CEO Jean Marc Lacave. "Continuing the legacy of Madame Clicquot Ponsardin, Veuve Clicquot represents modernity, perfection and boldness. Lanshu embodies these values through her flawless presentation, passionate dedication to French culinary practices, and ability to imbue each dish with local ingredients and Asian influences. Aside from inspiring other female chefs to push creative boundaries, her work is elevating the fine dining experience in Asia."

Acknowledging the honour, Lanshu notes: "As a chef who strives for perfection, I am truly thrilled to receive the Veuve Clicquot Asia's Best Female Chef award from Asia's 50 Best Restaurants. Growing up in Taiwan, food has always been an integral part of my heritage. From an early age I appreciated the pleasures that derive from preparing and sharing meals. It is a great privilege to have my work recognised by the respected industry experts who make up The World's 50 Best Restaurants Academy."

· The Veuve Clicquot Asia's Best Female Chef 2014 [World's 50 best]
· All World's 50 Best Coverage on Eater [-E-]