Hilton is expanding its culinary offerings across Asia Pacific with a new series of collaborations featuring chefs and mixologists recognized by the Michelin Guide, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, and Asia’s 50 Best Bars.
Photo: REIF Japanese Kushiyaki
Running from September 2025 to early 2026, the program includes chef residencies and bar takeovers in select Hilton and Waldorf Astoria properties. These partnerships aim to highlight the region’s culinary diversity and foster creative exchange among top talents.
The initiative builds on the Hilton Chef Exchange, a program that connects chefs across Hilton properties to learn from one another and discover local ingredients. In the past year, 34 chefs from 33 hotels across five regions have taken part.
Among the featured events this year:
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REIF Japanese Kushiyaki x Oscar’s, Conrad Singapore Marina Bay (September 1 to 30, 2025): Chef Reif Othman of REIF Japanese Kushiyaki in Dubai (MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, no. 47) brings his take on Japanese street-style cuisine with dishes such as Wagyu Katsu Sando, Truffle Udon, and Tiramisu Boba.
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Born Singapore x Metropolitan Grill, Hilton Tokyo (December 4 to 5, 2025): Zor Tan, chef of Born Singapore (One Michelin Star, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, no. 54), presents progressive Chinese cuisine influenced by Japanese ingredients and French techniques.
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Jun Dubai x Glass Brasserie, Hilton Sydney (December 13 to 15, 2025): Kelvin Cheung of Jun, Dubai (MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, no. 7) collaborates with the team at Hilton Sydney’s Glass Brasserie for a menu that reflects his Chinese-Canadian background and contemporary cooking style.
Bar takeovers at Waldorf Astoria
Hilton also continues its mixology heritage with bar takeovers across Waldorf Astoria properties:
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Yakoboku x Canes & Tales, Waldorf Astoria Osaka (October 1, 2025): Shinya Koba of Yakoboku (Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, no. 25) brings Japanese-inspired cocktails featuring shochu and fermented ingredients.
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Night Hawk x Long Bar, Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund (November 7, 2025): Singapore bartender Peter Chua of Night Hawk (Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, no. 77) presents creative versions of classic cocktails.
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Bar Benfiddich x Long Bar, Waldorf Astoria Shanghai (January 13, 2026): Hiroyasu Kayama of Bar Benfiddich (Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, no. 9) highlights his farm-to-bar philosophy through cocktails made with seasonal ingredients.
For Filipino travelers
While these events are happening around Asia, Filipino travelers who enjoy exploring food destinations may find these collaborations worth including in future trips.
With Hilton and Conrad properties also present in the Philippines, there’s potential for similar partnerships to reach local diners in the future.
ALSO READ: What Does a Michelin Inspector Do? Here’s How Restaurants Earn Their Spot in the Guide
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
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