Sasha Huang
- Dec 24, 2022

Chef Esther Sham's French Philosophy & Cuisine at Maison ES

INTERVIEW

All images (except lead image) courtesy of CSP Times.

Maison ES is a classy and welcoming French bistro where Chef Esther Sham brings her masterful techniques to life. The Shanghainese-American chef grew up in Hong Kong and was exposed to an array of different cuisines. She started her career in modelling before gradually finding her true career path in cooking. She fell in love with French cuisine and after years of perfecting her craft working in multiple Michelin-starred restaurants, she opened her two ventures: Maison ES and Ta Pantry.

Maison ES is a French fine dining restaurant that reflects Chef Sham's personal journey. The mother of three continues to offer her craft and passion for French cuisine to the culinary scene of Hong Kong. We chat with Chef Sham on her journey at Maison ES.

1. How did you find your passion for French cuisine?

It was around 2005/2006 that a few fine dining French restaurants opened, and I got a chance to try some of them. I discovered how pretty and tasty food could be and that’s how I fell in love with it.

2. What’s your daily schedule before you arrive at Maison ES?

I bring my boys to school bus or school, run some errands or practice yoga.

3. If you could give your younger self a piece of advice, what would it be?

The advice I would give to my younger self would be to never allow stress to get in the way of being who you want to be and what you want to achieve. Be steadfast with your dreams, hopes and desires.

4. What's the most creative dish/cuisine you have yet to try?

The most creative dish does not exist. As admiration of creativity is very subjective; what I find creative may not be appealing to you.

But if I were to answer this question, it would be any dish that I have created myself. Because that particular dish represents my emotions and feelings at that very moment in time. And that is what art and creativity is; a representation of the artist’s internal self.

5. What does Maison ES mean to you and what do you hope it means to others?

It’s the restaurant that you would always come back to when you want to have good food while feeling relaxed like at home.

'It’s the restaurant that you would always come back to when you want to have good food while feeling relaxed like at home.'

---

Book your own table at Maison ES HERE.