Chef James Chai

Chai Chuan Suing, also known as Chef James, came from humble beginnings. He has always loved the culinary arts, a talent he inherited from his parents, who were well-versed in Hakka and Teow Chew cuisines. Armed with determination and passion, he traveled to gain more experience and eventually mastered the art of merging traditional Chinese cuisine with Italian ingredients such as caviar, truffle, and foie gras, along with French styling, to create modern global cuisine with a signature presentation.

Little did he know that his approach would be widely accepted, practiced, and eventually termed modern Chinese cuisine. As the years passed, Chef James, the Executive Chinese Chef at Putrajaya Marriott Hotel, believed that to be a good leader, he must maintain positive energy, a proactive attitude, approachability, and accountability. He also feels blessed to have parents who taught him to remember where he came from, as it is a part of where he's going and something he can be proud of.