Chef Ford is a Canadian who’s worked all over the world, most recently in Sydney. She was also Top Chef Canada winner René Rodriguez’s sous chef on Iron Chef Canada in 2018.

We got co-founders Chris and Asim to sit down to chat about these three diversely different concepts, and how they approach opening all within such short intervals.

"I cannot remember when my friends and I ate with such joyful abandon as at our recent meal at Hotal Colombo."

A pair of his father's old tandoor ovens helped Hong Kong restaurateur Asim Hussain achieve a dream – the world's first Michelin star for a Pakistani restaurant, an accolade he hopes will fire interest in the country's often overlooked cuisine.

Asim talks about how New Punjab Club became the first Pakistani eatery to earn a Michelin star.

"The menu at Osteria Marzia showcases coastal cuisine from the southern Italian regions, from Campania to Amalfi and Puglia to Southern Sicily. The international influences in flavours and ingredients are seen in such selections as crudos, salads, pastas and grilled main courses."

The 11th edition of the gastro guide was revealed this afternoon at an event honouring the biggest talents in the restaurant industry. New one-star additions include French restaurant Belon, as well as New Punjab Club, the first Pakistani restaurant to win a star in Hong Kong.

"Make sure you come hungry because you will want to try as much as possible from the menu. We left vowing we’d be back and we mean it!"

"Celebrating the colourful, vibrant food culture of Sri Lanka, where casual eateries flourish on the streets all over Colombo, Hotal Colombo mimics the roadside eateries frequented by locals, offering snacks, quick bites, and a gathering place to unwind throughout the day."

"New Punjab Club on Wyndham Street in Central pays homage to the cuisine of post-colonial Punjab, a province shared between India and Pakistan."

"This year's favourite goes to Black Sheep Restaurants' modern Soho izakaya, which impressed readers with its electric atmopshere, solid execution of fun Japanese fare by chef Shun Sato, and refreshing whisky highballs."

New Punjab Club and BELON are featured in T.Dining's 20 Top Restaurants in Hong Kong.