Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants debuts the ‘Essence of Asia’ collection to support local eateries

Written by: Poppy Skinner Created: 22 March 2021

It comes at a worrying time for the F&B industry

Following what can only be described as a year of extraordinary challenges for the F&B industry, S.Pellegrino&Acqua Panna, in association with Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, have announced their latest venture – ‘Essence of Asia.’ This new scheme looks to the restaurants that represent the spirit of Asian gastronomy and puts them together in an unranked collection.

Explaining the concept further, William Drew, Director of Content for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, says: “On behalf of the 50 Best team, we are honoured to unveil the Essence of Asia collection. At a time when restaurants need our support, this collection presents travellers and gourmets with an invaluable guide to some of Asia’s most authentic and diverse dining experiences. Reflecting the breadth of the region’s gastronomic scene, the range of establishments spans street vendors, time-honoured institutions, philanthropic businesses and pioneering newcomers.”

The collection comprises of eateries in 49 cities across 20 countries from Pakistan to Japan and looks at those who are not only honouring culinary traditions, but reinventing and reviving centuries old-recipes in new and exciting ways.

Taking Asia’s rich diversity into consideration, the collection includes: - Street food vendors, such as Pho Gia Truyen in Hanoi, Wattana Panich in Bangkok and Siam Road Char Koay Teow in Penang - Much-loved local institutions like Australia Dairy Company in Hong Kong, Li Qun Roast Duck in Beijing, Shree Thaker Bhojanalay in Mumbai, The Sugar Palm in Siem Reap and Keng Eng Kee in Singapore.

Stefano Bolognese, Sanpellegrino International Business Unit Director, said of the collection: “The unranked Essence of Asia collection will offer us even more opportunities to recognise the spirit of Asian gastronomy and those that have had a positive impact on their local food communities during these unprecedented times, giving voices to their opinions about the industry of tomorrow. The Asian gastronomic sector today is still facing unprecedented challenges but there are hopeful signs of revival across the continent, and Sanpellegrino is here to support in its restart.”

Written by: Poppy Skinner

Poppy covers a wide range of topics at Billionaire, having spent the past 13 years at companies including Singapore Tatler, Her World Plus and Harpers Bazaar UK. She has a passion for fashion, jewellery and travel as well as an avaricious fascination with crime novels. Follow her at poppypskinner on Instagram.