Dewakan’s Chef Darren on mastering the art of food making

This past November, Kuala Lumpur-based restaurant Dewakan became the country’s first to be awarded two stars by the Michelin Guide. Its chef-patron is Darren Teoh, a no-nonsense personality who is single-mindedly focused on showcasing the beauty and diversity of his country’s culture through food.

Dewakan is a portmanteau of the Malay words for “God” and “food”, and has, aside from the Michelin stars, been recognised as one of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Read more: Michelin Guide 2024: Kuala Lumpur and Penang’s stars revealed

Despite the recognition, Teoh doesn’t count the stars or awards as major career milestones he actively seeks to unlock. Instead, the greatest achievement for him and his team is being able to continue pursuing their passion for using…