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Two Michelin-starred Chefs, One Fabulous Taste Of Macau

A six-course dinner by Melco's award-winning culinary team highlights Macau's bid at gastronomic tourism

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Ching Dee

<p>In recent years, Macau has made significant strides in transforming itself from just a gaming hub into a multi-faceted destination catering to both leisure and business travelers. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/d9970ee0-4937-4d40-830a-c4bef1630db0_1.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Macau&#x27;s stunning night skyline <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> Simon Zhu on Unsplash  </em></span></span></span></span></div><p>Launched at the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cityofdreamsmanila/" target="_blank">City of Dreams Manila</a>, <a href="https://www.melco-resorts.com/en/home.html" target="_blank">Melco Resorts &amp; Entertainment </a>partnered with the <a href="https://www.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/" target="_blank">Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) </a>to entice Filipinos to visit Macau for its culinary offers. The recent <strong>&#x27;Glow Your Way to Macau&#x27;</strong> event also highlighted the vibrant city&#x27;s appeal as a key destination for meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) as well as leisure. </p><div><br/></div><p>Adding a flavorful touch to the event, Melco&#x27;s award-winning culinary team from Macau crafted a six-course dinner to highlight Macau as <a href="https://en.unesco.org/creative-cities/macao" target="_blank">a UNESCO-designated Creative City of Gastronomy </a>for its culinary excellence. The team is comprised of Otto Wong (Executive Chef of 1-Michelin-Starred <a href="https://www.studiocity-macau.com/en/dining/pearl-dragon" target="_blank">Pearl Dragon at Studio City</a>), Kelvin Au Yeung (Executive Chef and Culinary Director, 3-Michelin-Starred <a href="https://guide.michelin.com/cz/en/macau-region/macau/restaurant/jade-dragon" target="_blank">Jade Dragon at City of Dreams Macau</a>), and Calvin Soh (Vice President of Culinary, Melco Resorts &amp; Entertainment).</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/04b293a6-71e2-4419-8f42-fd0baa6335ad_melco macau properties culinary team.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">From left: Kenneth Law, Director, Culinary Operations, Studio City; Executive Chef Otto Wong; Executive Chef and Culinary Director Kelvin Au Yeung; Chef Calvin Soh; and Christophe Duvernois, Executive Pastry Chef, City of Dreams Macau<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> City of Dreams Manila  </em></span></span></span></span></div><p>Most of the dishes were devoid of any distractions or garnishes, just excellent ingredients executed perfectly. The flavors were clean and distinct, reflecting the chefs’ (and their teams’) expertise.</p><div><br/></div><p>The dinner started with <strong>Chilled Alaskan King Crab</strong> by Otto Wong, executive chef of one-Michelin starred Pearl Dragon at Studio City Macau. The delicate white meat of the Alaskan King Crab was served with a stained-glass-like gelée made of aged yellow wine and topped with caviar. The sweetness of the crab paired well with the subtle briny flavors of the caviar and slight tanginess from the gelée. It was a strong start to a promising meal.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/3b6d12f5-ee8b-4c75-82d3-73e62b1e214d_1 chilled alaskan king crab in aged yellow wine with caviar.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Chilled Alaskan King Crab<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> City of Dreams Manila  </em></span></span></span></span></div><p>Next, we were served <strong>Deep-fried Scallop</strong> with fresh Sichuan pepper sauce by Kelvin Au Yeung, executive chef and culinary director at the three-Michelin starred Jade Dragon at City of Dreams Macau. The scallop — large, meaty, and beautifully cooked — was tender and moist, with its natural sweetness complementing the heat of the Sichuan pepper sauce. And speaking of that Sichuan pepper sauce! It was brightly flavored and hot in a pleasant way; it gives off heat without burning off your tongue, waking up your taste buds so you can enjoy the rest of the meal.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/4d7f686c-78cf-40ca-8659-241c9a1a9e99_2 deep-fried scallop with fresh sichuan pepper sauce.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Deep-fried Scallop <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> City of Dreams Manila  </em></span></span></span></span></div><p>The <strong>Roasted French Cod</strong> course was, at least for this writer, a prime example of culinary mastery. When you can just serve a piece of fish on a plate — no sides, no sauce, no garnish — it means you trust your food enough to stand on its own. The French Cod was cooked in aged Mandarin peels (one of Chef Otto’s favorite ingredients to use) and black beans before it was roasted. The fish was delicate and flaky and it absorbed the savory-sweetness of the sauce. Even without sides, the fish worked wonderfully. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/6be639ca-053d-4aa5-beed-17acce15f1c6_3 roasted french cod with aged mandarin peeled and black bean.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Roasted French Cod<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> City of Dreams Manila  </em></span></span></span></span></div><p>The Slow-cooked Green Lip Abalone and Wagyu Beef Cheek with Truffle by Chef Kelvin Au Yeung. The Abalone was firm and the Wagyu Beef Cheek was extremely tender.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/b5dff6d7-9ea2-4232-8b53-cc6f2ed1ce06_4. slow-cooked green lip abalone and wagyu beef cheek with truffle.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Slow-cooked Green Lip Abalone and Wagyu Beef Cheek with Truffle <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> City of Dreams Manila  </em></span></span></span></span></div><p>As most Chinese restaurants do, the soup course was served last. Chef Kelvin Au Yeung’s <strong>Hot and Sour Soup</strong> had red prawns, chicken, and rice and wrapped up the savory courses with a nice bow.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/24fc9141-5b60-452d-bcfd-961785a58887_5 hot and sour soup with red prawn, chicken and rice.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Hot and Sour Soup<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> City of Dreams Manila  </em></span></span></span></span></div><p>For dessert, Executive Pastry Chef Christophe Duvernois of City of Dreams Macau created <strong>Almond Crème Brûlée</strong> with milk tea ice cream.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/f19c1da9-4f86-405e-9045-251623d626d5_6 almond crème brûlée with milk tea ice cream.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Almond Crème Brûlée<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> City of Dreams Manila  </em></span></span></span></span></div><p>In line with the Macau government&#x27;s vision of diversifying visitor sources and driving sustained economic growth, Melco&#x27;s Chief Operating Officer, David Sisk, emphasized, “The objective of our ‘Glow Your Way to Macau’ event is to attract a greater influx of international visitors by enhancing their perception of Macau. In highlighting Macau’s appeal as a key destination for business and leisure travelers, we aim to entice local stakeholders and travelers from the Philippines to visit Macau with its abundance of exciting historical and cultural offerings.”</p><div><br/></div><p>To aid in this objective, Melco opened its first sales office in the Philippines at City of Dreams Manila.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/157a760d-f5f1-46ef-9147-3902560d4567_01 melco macao roadshow.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Leading the toast at the Macao roadshow organized by Melco Resorts to promote the city’s diverse tourism offerings are (from left): Kevin Benning, Senior Vice President, Melco Resorts &amp; Entertainment and Property General Manager of Studio City; Roberto Zozobrado, President of Tourism Congress of the Philippines; Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office; Sharlene Batin, Regional Director, The Philippine Department of Tourism – National Capital Region; Vincent U, President, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute; Kent Wong, Chief Advisor, Melco Resorts &amp; Entertainment; and Ben Leong, Vice President, Global Marketing, City of Dreams Manila.<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> City of Dreams Manila  </em></span></span></span></span></div><p>Sisk added, “The Philippines sales office, together with our forthcoming sales offices soon to be opened in Hong Kong, Singapore and the Republic of Cyprus, will serve as platforms to showcase the unique charm of Macau to international tourists.”</p><div><br/></div><p>“Following the activation of Melco’s Macau Regional Sales Office last month here in Manila, this event celebrates the opening of a brand-new avenue to boost tourism relations between the Philippines and Macau. Melco Resorts needs no introduction neither in the Philippines nor in Macau, and I am very encouraged to see Melco leverage its well-established tourism brand to drive visitor flows between our two sides,” shared Macau Government Tourism Office Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes.</p><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/food/food-tours/a-food-lover-s-guide-to-macau/36494" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mouthwatering Macau: A Journey Through Food</a></div><div><em>Visit <a href="https://www.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/" target="_blank">Macau Tourism&#x27;s official website</a> for more information on tourism and promotions</em></div><div><br/></div><div><em>Photos courtesy of City of Dreams Manila</em></div><div><br/></div>