Justin Quek's homecoming: Return of the prodigal chef

He is arguably Singapore's most celebrated chef, and without a doubt one of the nicest men we've met. Justin Quek -- he who started Les Amis, which is still the gold standard for French gourmet cuisine in Singapore -- has so few airs about him it's hard to think of him as probably the most famous and well regarded chef to hail from these shores. So when news came that Quek is returning to Singapore to helm a new restaurant at the newly minted Marina Bay Sands resort after six years abroad, there were cheers and thumbs-up all around. 

The new eatery is called The Sky on 57, which will be located in the Sands SkyPark at the top of the casino resort. Quek joins a celebrity line-up of big-name chefs, but it's with the local gourmands that his return probably hits closest to heart and home. Since leaving the Les Amis Group in 2004, he's opened restaurants across Asia, including La Petite Cuisine and Just In Bistro & Wine Bar in Taipei, La Platane (a fine-dining Chinese restaurant), Villa du Lac and a restaurant named Fountain in Xintiandi, Shanghai, as well as consulting on Whisk, The Mira Hong Kong and The French Window, in IFC Hong Kong.

Quek's signature suckling pig will likely make its appearance on the new menu.

'Best ever' Singapore food

But unlike his French-based restaurants, Quek is also returning to his roots to bring back his interpretation of Singapore's favorite foods. The new menu Asian cuisine will pair that with his classic French cooking techniques and presentation styles. "When I want to serve bah kut teh (spiced pork bone soup) or char kuay teow (fried rice noodles), it would be true to the Singapore style but I'll make it the best ever, with really good ingredients and cooking techniques. That way, locals will come for the best version of the local foods they like, and overseas friends and visitors will be able to experience what Singapore food is all about," Quek explains to CNNGo.

The Sky on 57 is the highest point of the MBS property, and will be the signature restaurant on the building-spanning SkyPark. It will start the morning with a selection of breakfast favorites, followed by a la carte and set lunch menus. Afternoon tea will feature savory and sweet creations, as well as gourmet coffee and tea. During sunset, the restaurant will take on a more exclusive vibe, as diners chill out with pre-dinner cocktails while enjoying the spectacular views. Dinner will feature a changing repertoire of signature and new items, followed by light food and drinks till late in the night. A brunch spread will also be offered during the weekends.

A bold experiment

"This is my boldest experiment yet. There will be various dining experiences to offer guests from early morning till late night, and this gives me lots of opportunities to push my creative boundaries. Being a Singaporean, I am very excited to take part in this new project and help create a restaurant that will do Singapore proud," says Quek. There are no official dates yet, but The Sky on 57 will open sometime in June, to coincide with the grand opening of Marina Bay Sands.

"I'm very pleased to welcome Justin Quek to our cast of chefs at Marina Bay Sands. With his broad range of culinary expertise ranging from high-end European to Asian cuisine, chef Justin will add another dimension to the Marina Bay Sands culinary experience," MBS president and CEO Thomas Arasi adds.

All hail the return of Singapore's favorite culinary son.