Alan Yau
Encyclopedia
Alan Yau OBE
(born 1962, Hong Kong) is a London-based restaurateur who is best known for founding the Wagamama
food chain in the United Kingdom. He was born in Sha Tau Kok
, Hong Kong and moved to King's Lynn
, Norfolk at the age of 12 with his family, barely able to speak a word of English.
Alan Yau was awarded the OBE in the 2006 New Year Honour's List for services to the restaurant industry.
Alan Yau is also the man behind the leading London Chinese restaurants Hakkasan
and more recently Yauatcha
, which have each been awarded a Michelin
Star.
In April 2008, the British magazine Restaurant
unveiled its sixth annual global ranking of the 50 Best Restaurants
in which Hakkasan was rated 18th.
Alan Yau is also a director of Thai restaurant Busaba Eathai, which has five branches in central London. His latest restaurant is a Chinese noodle bar named Cha Cha Moon, which opened in mid-2008.
In April 2009, Yau made his U.S. debut with the opening of Hakkasan in the Fontainebleau
in Miami Beach, Florida.
Yau had previously tried to make his U.S. debut in 2006 at New York's Gramercy Park Hotel
, Park Chinois, but didn't due to external pressures.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 1962, Hong Kong) is a London-based restaurateur who is best known for founding the Wagamama
Wagamama
Wagamama is a British-headquartered restaurant chain, serving pan-Asian food in the style of a modern Japanese Ramen bar.-History:Created by Alan Yau, who subsequently created the Chinese restaurants Hakkasan and Yauatcha in London, the first Wagamama opened in 1992 off Gower Street in...
food chain in the United Kingdom. He was born in Sha Tau Kok
Sha Tau Kok
Sha Tau Kok or Shataukok or Sathewkok is a town in the northeastern corner of Hong Kong. Located on the border with mainland China, there is another town of same Chinese name, Shatoujiao, romanized using Hanyu Pinyin, across the Sham Chun River-defined border in Shenzhen of mainland...
, Hong Kong and moved to King's Lynn
King's Lynn
King's Lynn is a sea port and market town in the ceremonial county of Norfolk in the East of England. It is situated north of London and west of Norwich. The population of the town is 42,800....
, Norfolk at the age of 12 with his family, barely able to speak a word of English.
Alan Yau was awarded the OBE in the 2006 New Year Honour's List for services to the restaurant industry.
Alan Yau is also the man behind the leading London Chinese restaurants Hakkasan
Hakkasan
Hakkasan is a high-class modern Chinese restaurant in the West End of London, England, at Hanway Place. The restaurant was created by Alan Yau, also behind the Wagamama Japanese restaurant chain and the newer Yauatcha restaurant, also in London...
and more recently Yauatcha
Yauatcha
Yauatcha is a Chinese restaurant in Broadwick Street, Soho, London, England, specialising in dim sum.The restaurant was created in 2004 by Alan Yau, who previously created the Wagamama Japanese and Busaba Eathai Thai restaurant chains and the more expensive Hakkasan restaurant, also in London...
, which have each been awarded a Michelin
Michelin Guide
The Michelin Guide is a series of annual guide books published by Michelin for over a dozen countries. The term normally refers to the Michelin Red Guide, the oldest and best-known European hotel and restaurant guide, which awards the Michelin stars...
Star.
In April 2008, the British magazine Restaurant
Restaurant (magazine)
Restaurant is a British magazine aimed at chefs, restaurant proprietors and other catering professionals that concentrates on the fine dining end of the industry. It produces an annual list of what it considers to be the best 50 restaurants, based on the votes of 600 "chefs, restaurateurs, critics...
unveiled its sixth annual global ranking of the 50 Best Restaurants
Restaurant (magazine) Top 50
The S.Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants is produced by British magazine Restaurant based on a poll of international chefs, restaurateurs, gourmands and restaurant critics. In addition to the main ranking, the Chef's Choice list is based on votes from the fifty head chefs from the restaurants...
in which Hakkasan was rated 18th.
Alan Yau is also a director of Thai restaurant Busaba Eathai, which has five branches in central London. His latest restaurant is a Chinese noodle bar named Cha Cha Moon, which opened in mid-2008.
In April 2009, Yau made his U.S. debut with the opening of Hakkasan in the Fontainebleau
Fontainebleau
Fontainebleau is a commune in the metropolitan area of Paris, France. It is located south-southeast of the centre of Paris. Fontainebleau is a sub-prefecture of the Seine-et-Marne department, and it is the seat of the arrondissement of Fontainebleau...
in Miami Beach, Florida.
Yau had previously tried to make his U.S. debut in 2006 at New York's Gramercy Park Hotel
Gramercy Park Hotel
Gramercy Park Hotel is a luxury hotel located at 2 Lexington Avenue, in the Gramercy Park neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, adjacent to Gramercy Park. It is known for its rich history.-History:Gramercy Park Hotel was designed by Robert T...
, Park Chinois, but didn't due to external pressures.