When stuck at home with nothing to do, we fall in the trap of our greatest temptation – eat. But dining out during the pandemic may sound like a heresy—even the best restaurants in Singapore are observing takeaways only. It’s ordinary, then, to rummage the pantry and scour the fridge. And when hunger calls for it, an experiment in the kitchen.
Whether you missed Le Petit Chef Singapore’s latest jaunt or are still hung over Chef Wan’s meals, there are ways to get Michelin-starred plates right inside your home. And luckily, without the need of the chef in person—just their Instagram feed. Roll up your sleeves and dive into a world of world-class cooking with these global stars letting you in on some of their best-kept secrets.
José Andrés
Spanish-American chef and founder of the non-profit World Central Kitchen, José Andrés has been feeding the hungry, whether it is in his Michelin-starred restaurants or in the impoverished cities in Central America. His humanitarian work doesn’t take a back seat even in the middle of the quarantine. Instead, his vibrant energy stirs large kitchens to produce food for the underprivileged. For those who can cook, he lets them do it themselves—Andrés goes to Instagram to constantly motivate his more than 500k followers to cook quick, home cooked food under the tag #RecipesForThePeople.
Gordon Ramsay
England-hailed MasterChef host Gordon Ramsayis known for his multi-Michelin restaurants—he currently has 16 stars; no small feat—and a handful of wild, cooking-related internet memes. But this celebrity chef is more than his sharp kitchen sense and even more barbed wit. During this quarantine season, Ramsay has been sharing amazing meals that can be done under 10 minutes. Take for instance this quick steak and potatoes done live on his Instagram, which could be a nice dinner for one or more, while binge-watching on Netflix.
Eric Ripert
Histhree-Michelin-starred Le Bernardin might have been affected by the pandemic—just like every other swanky fine dining restaurant in New York—but chef Eric Ripert doesn’t let this dampen his spirits. He, instead, uses this moment to share hints about his favourite home cooked meals, using Instagram to reveal the secrets to his best breakfasts and desserts. Follow his tips for a good ole French Toast—a classic breakfast meal to save the day.
Dominique Ansel
For those hungry for the soft, lingering sensation of a pastry, you’re in luck. The inventor of the cronut—an in-between product of a croissant and donut—isn’t keeping a lid on his techniques. The French-helmed pastry chef is dishing out all the basics in baking through his incredibly mouth-watering Instagram feed. With those gloriously glazed desserts an inspiration to keep in mind, everyone can be motivated to try their hand on baking. Get his recipe for Pâte à Choux here:
Jamie Oliver
Lifestyle chef Jamie Oliver has been cooking for television for years, jetsetting across the globe to learn about various cultures and cuisines; and stirring watchers to try his five ingredient meals. The latter can convince anyone they could cook like a true chef, and it’s no surprise. With many books sold and restaurants opened, Oliver’s taste has always been inspired by the everyday table. Perhaps that might be the inspiration behind his Instagram series, Keep Cooking and Carry On, which stars many of his classic meals that are quick to prep and satisfying to eat. Here’s a video for his delectable veggie curry:
Andy Yangeksakul
Owner and chef of the Michelin-lauded RhongTham, Andy Yangeksakul—or Yang, for short—is a Thai culinary icon who gloriously shares his love for Asian flavours and organic ingredients. With his New York bistro, he managed to push Thai street food even higher on the culinary map. It is only right that Michelin gives a peek of Yang’s most famous dish, the Pad Thai Fai Ta Lu, as shared on the organization’s Instagram gallery. Hints: there are more chef recipe guides in the feed.
Anahita Dhondy
After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in London, the Asian chef headed home to India and improved her art at Taj properties. Trained in French pastries, Anahita Dhondy is known for her desserts—but spices kick in her savoury food where she boldly executes her leanings toward Parsi gastronomy. Her ChanneKe Kebab is a good place to start; get the recipe here:
Ili Sulaiman
Born in Malaysia from multi-cultural parents, Sulaiman is exposed to a colourful spectrum of traditions, as well as taste. Her background is reflected in her dishes—a grand array of tropical fruit, sweet vegetables, and local spices that carries the shimmer of Malaysian cuisine. Also a TV personality, she has starred in various cooking shows, including her own Feast With Ili, and has sold a widely-beloved cookbook, For the Love of Food.
Gaggan Anand
Kolkata-born Anand is not the typical chef–his palette is stirred by the ferocious tang of a foodgasm, as if eating is a form of romance, and dining, a form of pleasure. There’s no lukewarmth to his plates, evident in the progressive Indian dining Gaggan that showcased his cultural sensibilities. The last quarter of 2019 opened new doors for this highly-lauded chefthanks to a freshly-opened restaurant; but the recent hiatus caused by the lockdown is not dampening his spirits. His IG shares the same ferocity he has for food; with straight-up chef recipe posts, he invites followers to get addicted to the joy of cooking.
ThitidTassanakajohn
Le Du’s owner, fondly called Chef Ton,found his way into the world of fine diningfrom anunlikely route; he graduated fromChulalongkorn University with a degree in economics. He is now a rising star in the culinary arts,thanks to his genius intertwining of Thai flavours into French techniques that deliriously imparts a savoury memory. Serving once as a Top Chef Thailand judge and currently one of Asia’s Fifty Best Chefs, his meals saunters back to the beauty of homemade and nostalgia. While the Bangkok-based Michelin-starred Le Du may not be accepting walk-ins (they’re up for delivery, though), it’s possible to get a taste of Chef Ton’s work. Through the Michelin Guide, Tassanakajohn benevolently shares the secrets to his Beef PhadKaprao:
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© This article was first published online in May 2020 – World Travel Magazine.