Whether you are a novice to cookery or a budding culinary extraordinaire looking for a breakthrough, sam.leong@forest cooking school welcomes you with open arms.

A veteran of the culinary trade and Singapore’s answer to a local celebrity chef, Sam Leong’s claim to fame is his expertise in infusing traditional Chinese cuisine with a modern touch. Culinary instructor and cookbook author Forest Leong grew up in Thailand, spending her childhood in the kitchen assisting her father, a traditional Thai cuisine chef. Her culinary passion and talent found her training at Thailand Tourism Board & Institution, and led her to a successful career at some of Thailand’s finest hotels.

Sam Leong is no stranger to the media as 26 years of culinary expertise and innovation has honed him to be Singapore’s very own celebrity chef. Having been trained in culinary arts by his father, a Malaysian Chef well known for his shark’s fin dishes, Chef Leong has come a long way. From becoming the executive chef of Jiang Nan Chun at Four Seasons Hotel at the age of 28 to being appointed as the director of kitchens/corporate chef for the Tung Lok Group, Chef Leong has also collected multiple accolades. A trend-setter in modern Chinese Cuisine, Sam has represented Singapore at some of the world’s prestigious culinary events, including the annual James Beard Foundation Awards (1999); Friends of James Beard Gala Dinner (2000); Master of Food & Wine, Australia (2002); Annual St Moritz Gourmet Festival, Switzerland (2002); and the Flavours of Asia event at Napa Valley, California (2004).

His list of accolades includes being named Best Asian Ethnic Chef of the Year at World Gourmet Summit Awards of Excellence in 2001, 2002 and 2004 and Executive Chef of the Year and Chef of the Year in 2005. He was also named Chef of the Year at the Hospitality Asia Platinum Award (HAPA) in 2006 and 2007. In 2008, Chef Leong was awarded the Five Star Diamond Award and was recognised as one of the finest chefs worldwide in the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences and another award in 2009 – Asian Cuisine Chef of the Year “regional” by the World Gourmet Summit, Singapore. Leong has had the honour of serving world famous public figures such as Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, former US presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton, and Queen Elizabeth II of England. He became the first Singaporean chef to join Singapore Airline’s International Culinary Panel of world-renowned chefs. In that same year, he made his first appearance on Singapore television, in a Chinese language cooking programme, King of the Kitchens. A year later, he was invited to be chef-mentor for a television cooking competition, Star Chefs 1 in 2006, Star Chef 2 in 2007 and Good Food Fun Cook in 2008. His success progressed into the publishing world when he released his cookbook A Wok Through Time, followed by Sensations, and A Taste of Home.

Now, the father of two is expanding his portfolio to being a culinary educator, mentor, consultant, in addition to being an occasional and exclusive guest chef. Having collated a long list of accomplishments, Chef Leong will spend Mondays to Thursdays touring the world with his wife, Forest while performing the role of a food consultant and guest chef. On Fridays to Sundays, Chef Leong will spend quality time with his wife Forest, and students of sam.leong@forest indulging in culinary action and discussion. Inspired by Forest’s passion for teaching, Chef Leong hopes to impart to novices and trained chefs alike not only the skills of innovative cooking but also the essence of food and hospitality.

Fret not if you have no clue as to how to steam rice, nothing is ever too basic at their school. They believe in building relationships with students and ensuring they get the best out of their time here. Lessons are not just about learning how to hold a knife or what might be the best way to prepare pad Thai and they most certainly do not hope that you come just because you have paid your fees.

We fervently believe in making cookery fun for their exclusive classes which are limited to 20 students at a time. Never feel afraid to pose a question in their class for they approach all levels of students with an open mind. Engaging in mentorship that builds strong relationships, they treat their students as friends and hope to give back to society with the years of culinary knowledge and experience they have accumulated.

To spread their culinary passion to the world and see the rewards you could reap, bring them joy. Befriend them at sam.leong@forest cooking school and spread your wings. The sky is your limit!

4a Craig Road

Tel: +65 62223305 or email: [email protected]