The Ultimate Table: A Gala Dinner Showcasing Asia’s Greatest Chefs at MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025

Our 9-Michelin-Star Culinary Masters Gala Dinner, under the theme “Flavors of Harmony: A Culinary Journey Through East Asia,” took place at MGM COTAI on the evening of 7 June 2025 with great fanfare. 

On 7 June 2025, as the gilded doors of the Ballroom at MGM COTAI in Macau all opened in unison, the greatly anticipated MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025 unfolded as an extraordinary celebration of gastronomy, uniting legendary chefs and discerning palates for a truly unparalleled culinary experience. The highlight and apex of the action-packed weekend was unquestionably the 9-Michelin-Star Culinary Masters Gala Dinner, held at the illustrious MGM COTAI on the first evening of the long weekend, which showcased an exquisite tapestry of flavours and honoured the artistry and innovation of the participating chefs, who together boasted an impressive total of nine Michelin stars.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Chao Shang Chao’s Chef Cheung Yat-fung on Chinese Culinary Philosophy, Future Aspirations, and Stepping Up to Meet Every Challenge

Michelin-star-studded chef Cheung Yat-fung is bringing his culinary arts from Beijing for this year’s highly anticipated MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025.

A distinguished culinary maestro hailing from our own shores, Cheung Yat-fung currently spearheads the famed Chao Shang Chao (Chaoyang) restaurant in Beijing. (You know, the one with not one, but three coveted Michelin stars.) As the executive chef with an unwavering passion for Chinese culinary arts, Cheung adeptly showcases innovative techniques and flavours through meticulously crafted menus that pay homage to the richness and sophistication of his heritage. Adding him to the gilded roster of MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2025 proved to be the easiest decision by the powers that be.

Cheung’s professional journey began in his native city, but it was under the tutelage of master chef Tsang Chiu-king—the current culinary director of Ming Court Wanchai—that his career truly flourished. Tsang imparted not only his exceptional Cantonese culinary skills but also underscored the significance of respecting ingredients and nurturing a spirit of innovation. Inspired by this mentorship, Cheung retains a commitment to cultivating young talent, ensuring the preservation and evolution of Chinese gastronomic traditions.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

 

Five Foot Road’s Yang Dengquan on How Authenticity and Accuracy Make Up the Spice of Life, and the Importance of the Historical Silk Road to Sichuan Cuisine

 

Historically, cuisine from Chengdu comes with baggage tags of spice and numbing spice, but the good chef assures that there’s much more to this regional style of food.

 

Not to use the terms lightly, but seated across the circular mahogany table of Five Foot Road, one can listen to an oral thesis on Sichuan cuisine by omniscient chef Yang Dengquan, who has devoted his life and career to the details of a culinary sect that not many are privy to. 

The broad brushstroke of claiming all the region’s cuisine as merely “spicy food” loses intricacies that the finer palate can detect. A sophisticated one can even find the elements of 24 intricate flavour profiles that stem from five basic tastes: sweet, sour, savoury, bitter, and spicy. The finest chef can summon root powers using indigenous ingredients, legacy recipes, and cooking styles passed on from one generation to the next, but only the chosen few are fully committed to authenticity and accuracy.

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Chef Florita Morais Alves on Tradition, History, and Skilful Hands, and How to Bring Macanese Cuisine to the Table at MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2024

Representing a traditional approach to modern Macanese cuisine, this icon in the dining industry serves meals, history, and anecdotes with equal ease.

As you read these words, some of the finest chefs in the world are in their respective kitchens, mulling over recipes, ingredients, and ideas for plating and presentation as they prep for the grand return of the most-anticipated culinary event of the year: MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2024. Back in Macau from 28 to 30 June, flights are booked and prized equipment, fine produce, and a boatload of talent is eastward-bound, heading to MGM COTAI to pen the second chapter of RR1 Hong Kong’s Culinary Masters in Asia.

With an ambitious theme of “Savor 700 Years of Silk Road Flavors: A Gastronomic Odyssey,” this year’s event will bring together stellar chefs from Asia, Europe, and the Middle East for a series of captivating activities and meticulously prepared dinners, culminating with a 12-hand pièce-de-résistance dinner that promises to be a showstopper. 

Read the entire feature here at Robb Report Hong Kong.

Seeing Red: Cover shoot for Galaxy magazine with Kimberly Verge and David Elliott

Photography: Jonas Lillie 

Stylist: Jolene Lin 

Makeup: Karen Yiu 

Hair Adam Wong 

Models: Kimberly Verge and David Elliott from Starz People 

Art Direction: P.Ramakrishnan 

An amazing shoot done at Galaxy Macau's China Rouge. 

Akon in Macau 11 11 11: Singer booked for Indian millionaire's epic 50th party

One Night Only 

As Sanjeev Mahtani, Chairman of Must Garments, celebrated his 50th birthday, he threw a party that was out of this world – well, out of Hong Kong most certainly. 

200 plus guests were whisked off to Macau at the Lotus Ballroom at the Four Seasons, a heady night filled with Turkish belly dancers, scantily-clad ladies from St Tropez, circus acts, jugglers and a nine-course meal interrupted with copious Cristal champagne ensued. 

Just when you thought la dolce vita couldn’t get any more decadent, just after midnight, multiple Grammy-nominee and American Music Award winner Akon hit the stage for a medley of hits. 

“I’ve been to a lot of parties, birthdays, award shows in my life,” said the Senegal-born R&B superstar, who enthralled the VIP audience of a select few. 

“But this something else!” 

Among a sea CEOs from the business community and captains of industry, in the audience we spotted Faye Ho (Stanley Ho’s grand-daughter), champion jockey Douglas Whyte, owner of Cubic, Paco Chan, celebrity chef Harlan Goldstein and his wife Helen, the gorgeous Alyscia Mak with husband architect Jon Pan while noted French photographer Jean Gorguet was taking snaps of the guests. 

“There are a lot of fine lookin’ ladies in the house – and it isn’t easy to impress me – but y’all take care of yerself,” said Akon as he indulged many by posing with them for a keepsake snapshot.  "I like that. I like that a lot!” 

 While the party progressed till the wee-hours of morn, when asked to speak, the usually reticent Sanjeev grabbed his Pucci-clad wife, the lovely Manisha, and said, “You know she’s my HMV – His Masters Voice – what do you want me to say honey?” Said a guest, “It’s always the quiet ones that throw the best bashes!” 

Indeed. 

P.Ramakrishnan (e-mail: ramakrishnanp@Hotmail.com) 

NOTES: Akon in Macau, 2011. What an incredible party! Sanjeev and Manisha Mahtani hosted one of the best parties I've EVER been to. And Akon - what a performer! Sanj turned 50 and proved life begins after it. Had a great time, and even better one writing up about it for SCMP's Cityseen column. Such gracious hosts and lovely people. The one thing I got out of the event was how much his close friends and family loved the couple - there were so many toasts in celebration of the awesome twosome.