Natsuko Shoji of Été, Tokyo, Is the 2020 Recipient of Asia's Best Pastry Chef Award, Sponsored by Valrhona

Drawing inspiration from fashion houses and designer handbags, Chef Shoji developed a line of signature cakes, including her strawberry cake that takes its cues from Louis Vuitton's Damier print, or the peach cake that evokes the distinctive stitching on Chanel's Matelassé bags. Indulgent and luxurious, each cake contains Japan's prized fruit and is presented in a black box designed to resemble a jewellery box. Drawing inspiration from fashion houses and designer handbags, Chef Shoji developed...

Drawing inspiration from fashion houses and designer handbags, Chef Shoji developed a line of signature cakes, including her strawberry cake that takes its cues from Louis Vuitton's Damier print, or the peach cake that evokes the distinctive stitching on Chanel's Matelassé bags. Indulgent and luxurious, each cake contains Japan's prized fruit and is presented in a black box designed to resemble a jewellery box.

In December, Éte expanded to larger premises and Shoji opened the restaurant to the public, allowing more diners to experience her hand-crafted creations. The new space also includes a 'cake lab' where customers can watch the pastry chef craft her creations. 

William Drew, Director of Content for Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, said: " Natsuko Shoji's fashion-inspired creations reveal her perfectionism, attention to detail and creative vision. With her appreciation for seasonality and uncompromising quality, the chef's sculpted, fruit-topped cakes embody the artistry of Japanese cuisine."

Clémentine Alzial, General Manager of Valrhona, said: "As an entrepreneur who constantly challenges the status quo, who is driven by seasonality and shares our values of quality and perfectionism, Natsuko Shoji is a visionary whom we are very proud to honour with this award, raising pastry to an outstanding level."

Shoji follows in the footsteps of celebrated pastry chefs who have previously earned the accolade, including Fabrizio Fiorani (2019), Nicolas Lambert (2018), Kazutoshi Narita (2017), Cheryl Koh (2016), Hidemi Sugino (2015) and Janice Wong (2014 and 2013).

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