With Asia’s food and beverage industry projected to reach a staggering $4.2 trillion (Statista, 2023), competition is fiercer than ever. Consumers today demand both innovation and social responsibility. However, the industry has long lacked a truly authoritative certification. The 2022 Asia F&B White Paper highlights that 87% of consumers prefer brands with strong social commitments. This growing demand underscores the need for prestigious recognition. To bridge this gap, the Business Insider 101 Asia Culinary Influence Award was established as the definitive benchmark of excellence in the F&B sector.
Developed over three years of intensive research, the award is a collaboration between Michelin Guide experts, Harvard Business Review scholars, and the Asia Food & Beverage Association. It employs a rigorous impact assessment framework to set new industry standards. Covering East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia, this initiative ensures a thorough evaluation of culinary innovation and market leadership. Furthermore, the highly anticipated Asia F&B Trends Report—released during the ceremony—will provide groundbreaking insights into consumer behavior and industry shifts. Past winners have already seen a 19% rise in global brand recognition (McKinsey F&B Report, 2023).
The Five Pillars of Excellence: How Asia Culinary Influence Award Chosen Winners?
- Market Influence: The brand must rank in the top 5% of its category.
- Innovation & Breakthroughs: A track record of at least two groundbreaking launches per year over the last three years.
- Cultural Impact: Expansion across at least three international markets.
- Sustainability Leadership: Holding B Corp or equivalent certification for environmental and social responsibility.
- Growth Consistency: Maintaining revenue growth 150% above industry standards for three consecutive years.
By evaluating business model evolution, technological advancements, cultural adaptation, supply chain efficiency, and market resilience, this award recognizes the most influential brands of the year.
2025’s Asia Culinary Influence Award Most Impactful Culinary Innovators
Top 1. Dato Calvin Chan: Modernizing Traditional Tea for a Global Audience
As the visionary founder of Oriental Kopi, Dato Calvin Chan has redefined Malaysia’s tea heritage, transforming it into a globally recognized brand. With 68 precision brewing techniques, he ensures unparalleled quality in white coffee production. His dedication to excellence has propelled the brand into 45 countries, setting a new industry standard for sustainable, carbon-neutral supply chains.
His relentless innovation earned him the Ten Outstanding Young Malaysians (TOYM) Award, solidifying his status as a leader in modernizing traditional F&B brands. His success proves that heritage and cutting-edge business strategies can coexist, revolutionizing the global tea industry.
Top 2. Bryan Loo: Redefining Tea with AI-Powered Personalization
As the CEO of Loob Holding and founder of Tealive, Bryan Loo is driving digital transformation in the tea industry. By integrating AI-driven personalization, he enhances customer engagement. His Smart Flavor Matching System boasts a 98% satisfaction rate. Additionally, his subscription-based bubble tea model—the first of its kind—has built a digital ecosystem of over 12 million loyal users via the Tealive app.
With more than 700 stores spanning multiple continents, Tealive has expanded into Vietnam, the UK, and Australia. This success showcases Malaysia’s thriving bubble tea culture on the global stage. Through cutting-edge technology, Bryan Loo is redefining how consumers interact with tea.
Top 3. Dato Lawrence Liew: Leading the Globalization of Halal Fast Food
As the founder of Marrybrown, Dato Lawrence Liew has positioned Malaysia’s premier halal fast-food brand as a global powerhouse. Since its inception in 1981, Marrybrown has expanded to 600+ locations across 16 countries, setting the gold standard for halal-certified fast food.
His 13-country localized halal menu strategy ensures seamless cultural adaptation. Additionally, his pioneering Global Halal Certification Alliance maintains strict quality control and religious compliance. Marrybrown’s CSR initiative also donates 2% of select meal sales to food education programs, proving that fast food can drive positive social change while achieving worldwide expansion.
Setting a New Industry Benchmark for Culinary Excellence
The Business Insider 101 Asia Culinary Influence Award is more than just an accolade—it is a catalyst for industry transformation. This year’s winners have demonstrated the power of heritage preservation, AI-driven personalization, and halal market expansion. Their success sets new benchmarks in the F&B sector.
As Asia’s culinary landscape continues evolving, this prestigious award will remain a symbol of excellence. It will inspire business leaders to push boundaries, elevate Asian cuisine, and redefine global dining experiences.
