Cheong Liew (born 1949) is a Malaysian-born Australian chef. He moved from Malaysia to Australia in 1969 to study electrical engineering, but instead became a chef.

Early life

Cheong Liew was born in 1949 in

Kuala Lumpur , anthem = ''Maju dan Sejahtera'' , image_map = , map_caption = , pushpin_map = Malaysia#Southeast Asia#Asia , pushpin_map_caption = , coordinates = , sub ...

Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...

. His father was a farmer who also owned several restaurants. Following the 13 May incident, Liew's family emigrated to

Adelaide Adelaide ( ) is the capital city of South Australia, the state's largest city and the fifth-most populous city in Australia. "Adelaide" may refer to either Greater Adelaide (including the Adelaide Hills) or the Adelaide city centre. The dem ...

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...

. In Adelaide, Liew's passion for cooking was ignited while he tended the grill part-time at the Greek restaurant Iliad in Whitmore Square. Although he had planned to study electrical engineering in

Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...

, he eventually decided to become a self-taught chef.

Career

In 1975, Liew opened his own restaurant ''Neddy's'', whose menu consisted of mostly

Malaysian Malaysian may refer to: * Something from or related to Malaysia, a country in Southeast Asia * Malaysian Malay, a dialect of Malay language spoken mainly in Malaysia * Malaysian people, people who are identified with the country of Malaysia regard ...

and

Chinese Chinese can refer to: * Something related to China * Chinese people, people of Chinese nationality, citizenship, and/or ethnicity **''Zhonghua minzu'', the supra-ethnic concept of the Chinese nation ** List of ethnic groups in China, people of ...

dishes. His cooking incorporated ingredients not commonly used during his time, such as crocodile tail, pork leg, sea urchin and shark lip. The restaurant closed in 1988 and Liew went on to teach cookery at Regency Park, Adelaide. In 1995, Liew took the reins at The Grange restaurant at the

Hilton Hotel Hilton Hotels & Resorts (formerly known as Hilton Hotels) is a global brand of full-service hotels and resorts and the flagship brand of American multinational hospitality company Hilton. The original company was founded by Conrad Hilton. As ...

in Adelaide. At The Grange, Liew came up his "signature dish", titled "Four Dancers of the Sea", featuring "four varieties of seafood cooked in four distinct national styles". In 2009, after some 14 years, Cheong left The Grange; the restaurant closed at the end of the year.

Awards and honours

Described as "one of the indisputable fathers of Australian cooking" by Stephen Downes in ''To Die For'' (2006), Liew was awarded the Medal of the

Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Gov ...

in the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honours "for service to the food and restaurant industry through involvement in developing and influencing the style of contemporary Australian cuisine. In 2017, Liew was honoured as "one of the ten hottest chefs alive" by the American publication '' Food & Wine Magazine'', and inducted into the Hall of Fame in the World Food Media Awards.

Writing

* Liew, C., & Ho, E. F. (1995). ''My Food''. St Leonards, N.S.W., Allen & Unwin.

Early life

Career

Awards and honours

Writing

References

See also