Ping Coombes joins Chi Kitchen
MasterChef winner appointed Consultant Chef
MasterChef 2014 winner Ping Coombes has been appointed Consultant Chef of Chi Kitchen, the contemporary pan-Asian restaurant located in Debenhams Oxford Street. Ping’s culinary influence and new dishes will appear on the menu from 21st March 2016.
Since winning MasterChef, Ping has embraced the opportunity to spread the knowledge of her native Malaysian cuisine, working around the world as a Malaysia Kitchen Ambassador. Chi Kitchen is her first restaurant project, and Ping is currently on a month-long research trip to South East Asia in preparation for this new role.
Ping will work closely with the Chi Kitchen team, and will be adding her unique style to the diverse menus and inspiring guests with her passion for the dishes she creates. Ping will develop Chi Kitchen’s offering of contemporary, colourful, and delicious menus influenced by Thai, Chinese, Malaysian, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Korean cuisine.
Ping’s signature plates at Chi Kitchen will include noodle dishes such as Laksa Kahwin, a spicy noodle soup with seafood and beancurd, and small plates such as grilled Wagyu beef with enoki mushrooms. For dessert, guests will be able to enjoy coconut and pandan pannacotta with mango and starfruit. Breakfast and brunch will also be available, with the addition of Ping’s Nasi Lemak, a traditional Malaysia dish of coconut rice with anchovies, sambal, peanuts and a fried egg.
Speaking of the appointment, Chi Kitchen owner Eddie Lim has said, “I am so pleased to be welcoming Ping into the Chi Kitchen family, she’s been a good friend of mine for many years. Her food is vibrant and exciting, we are confident that she will be well received with Chi Kitchen’s existing customers as well as attracting a new clientele of Debenhams shoppers.”
Ping Coombes, Chi Kitchen Consultant said: “I am very proud to announce my involvement with Chi Kitchen. I love that they share my approach to food and dining, which is serving fresh ingredients in a warm and inviting environment. Asian cuisine is obviously my favourite type of food, it can be simple yet so flavoursome and delicious. I have lots of new ideas, so I can’t wait to get started.”
Chi Kitchen Oxford Street opened in November 2015, offering a diverse all-day dining menu, designed to guide guests on a culinary journey through South East Asia. Dishes are served with modern presentation whilst maintaining authentic tastes with the freshest produce. The space is designed to be welcoming and relaxed, and encompasses deep upholstered window booths, as well as a dining counter that doubles as a sushi bar, and delivers freshly prepared sushi and sashimi. An open-plan robata grill is also a focal point, allowing guests a glimpse into the kitchen where the chefs display theatrical live cooking.