Chef Talk with Sheraton Hongqiao’s Vincent Kho

From an early age Vincent Kho’s future as a chef seemed set in stone. After all, his mother is a celebrated chef who inspires him to this day. “To be a chef, you need to have passion. Without that there is no love, and what my mother taught me is love,” Kho says. 

Born in Malaysia, Kho grew up in Singapore, but his ancestral roots are in southern China. Living in two of Asia’s top culinary destinations shaped Kho’s childhood. In addition, he was born into a family of foodies with strong ties to their Chinese heritage, so he learned firsthand the deeply rooted culinary traditions. His love for food only grew along with him, and by the age of 17 he took his first job at the Hyatt in Malaysia as a lowly prep cook, but no job was too small for him; he treasured every minute of it.  

“It feels like just yesterday that I was back there peeling potatoes,” he says. “Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for that job. That was the start of me travelling the world.”

Having worked in world-class hotels around the world, including Brunei, Australia, Taiwan and Dubai, Kho always has his ears and eyes wide open, absorbing everything he can to better himself as a chef.  And he’s remained humble, noting that “in order to gain respect, you first need to give it”. 

“The young chefs, they are our future. What good will it do when you instill stress and fear into your work?” he asks. Walking through his kitchen at peak dining hours, you won’t find Kho ruling with an iron fist, but rather a mentoring spirit.  

“Hopefully the new generation of chefs can learn here and grow through my passion for food,” he says. “I always tell them that in order to fulfill their role as chefs, they must have passion, dedication and patience.”

After all his world travels, Kho plans on staying in Shanghai for some time. “I have been waiting my whole life to visit my family’s land. Even though I have never visited before, I feel a bond here,” he says. “I see myself here for many years. The whole world’s eyes are on China, including its culinary life. I certainly do not want to be missing out!”

Sheraton Shanghai Hongqiao Hotel. 5 Zunyi Nan Lu, near Loushanguan Lu. Tel: 6275 8888