COOKING UP A STORM
These veterans are enhancing the local F&B scene and putting Malaysia on the map
ILI SULAIMAN Celebrity chef
Ili Sulaiman is a popular chef known for her cooking shows on the Asian Food Network and the entrepreneur behind the tiffin-delivery service DISH by ili and steamboatand-grill delivery service Ili Pot, with the latter branching out to include rice and oden dishes.
Born to a Chineseenglish mother and a Malay-sri Lankan father, Ili grew up learning to cook in both of her grandmothers’ kitchens. And despite her interest in cooking since the age of seven, she didn’t consider a career in F&B until she worked at Mosimann’s, a fine dining establishment in London run by acclaimed chef and restaurateur Anton Mosimann.
After eight years in the English capital and graduating with a business degree, Ili returned to Malaysia and subsequently established DISH by Ili, offering freshly cooked meals to homes and offices. In 2015, she hosted her first television show,
Diari Mangkuk Tingkat Bersama Ili, on Astro Ria.
That same year, she took part in and won the Asian Food Network’s Food Hero Challenge, which led to more TV shows. She also made guest appearances on Inspired with Anna Olson
on Food Network, and on Canadian chef Christine Cushing’s show Confucius Was a Foodie.
The mother of one and businesswoman also launched Ili Pot, inspired by Malaysians’ love for steamboat dining. During the pandemic, the company provided everything needed for a hot pot or grill set-up at home, allowing people to indulge in this experience.
MANO THEVAR
Asia’s Most Influential 2022
Chef and owner, Thevar
Born and raised in Penang, Mano Thevar cut his teeth as a chef in Michelinstarred Guy Savoy and Waku Ghin restaurants. He opened his first restaurant, Thevar, in Singapore in 2019. The establishment champions fine Indian and South Asian cuisines while incorporating Japanese produce.
Being self-taught never held him back from working and training in international restaurants where he learned various techniques (beginning with French cuisine), as well as the tricks and the trade of the culinary world.
His inventiveness has paid off handsomely, with Thevar earning its first Michelin star in 2021. Within just one year, by 2022, his restaurant was elevated to two stars by the prestigious food guide, a testament to Mano’s dedication and passion to his craft.
Thevar offers a creative multi-course menu rooted in Indian traditions and crafted with European techniques. Signature dishes like the Chettinad chicken roti and Brittany lobster in curry beurre blanc pack a punch of flavour while maintaining a fine balance with mindful touches.
Mano Thevar holds the distinction of being the first Malaysian chef to have two Michelin stars under his belt. This exclusive club now comprises two individuals, with the other chef being Darren Teoh of Dewakan, who was also awarded two stars in December 2023.
CK KHO Founder, Coley and Pahit
A hospitality graduate, CK Kho sharpened his bartending skills at various clubs before working at Spanish restaurant and bar La Bodega. He later worked for an F&B group, helping to launch several restaurants and bars, including a pop-up bar.
An award-winning bartender and the founder of Coley—one of the top cocktail bars in Kuala Lumpur known for its innovative creations inspired by timeless classics and Malaysian flavours— Kho is renowned in the drinks scene and frequently does events for major alcohol brands.
Since its opening in 2016, Coley has consistently been listed among the best bars in Asia for numerous years. Named after Ada “Coley” Coleman, the head bartender at London’s Savoy Hotel known for the cocktail “Hanky Panky”, Coley quickly became the hotspot for quality cocktails and original contemporary creations.
Following his success with Coley, Kho founded Pahit, another watering hole in Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Bintang district that specialises in gin and also earned a spot in Asia’s Best Bars list. And, as an extension to his profession, he also sells ice, specifically crafted for use in drinks, under the brand Isipadu Craft ice.