Alan Yau

In an increasingly chef dominated era Alan Yau is a singular talent; an internationally recognised restaurateur who has emerged from beyond the kitchen to command critical respect on a par with such famous stove-forged talents as Alain Ducasse, Gordon Ramsay, Jöel Robuchon and Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Yau's role as a restaurateur is that of creative director who oversees every detail from concept to execution, from the kitchen to the front of house and beyond.

He announced his presence in 1992 with Wagamama, a hip, hi-tech, healthy- eating no-reservations canteen with communal bench seating and an inexpensive menu built around the Japanese noodle. By the time he'd sold his interest in Wagamama in 1997 it had set a new standard for fast, casual Asian dining and inspired a legion of imitators, as the branded noodle bar became a ubiquitous presence worldwide.