Recognised among the state’s brightest culinary talents
At just 29, Jen Kwok Lee has been named one of the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2026 Young Chef of the Year finalists, joining the ranks of some of the state’s most promising culinary talent.
The Malaysian-born chef, now leading the kitchen at Infinity by Mark Best atop Sydney Tower, has built his career on challenging perceptions – of hotel dining, tourist-destination restaurants, and of migrant chefs in Australia.
“It’s a huge honour to be recognised alongside chefs from venues such as Quay and Sixpenny,” Lee says. “For me, it’s about proving that restaurants with incredible views can deliver food that matches the setting.”
Lee’s path to recognition has been shaped by a decade-long journey from Malaysia to Australia. He spent the past two years at the Ritz-Carlton Melbourne, where he played a key role in establishing Atria, a restaurant that went on to earn one hat from The Age Good Food Guide.
“From concept to execution, I had the opportunity to challenge how people perceive hotel dining in Australia, through the lens of a Malaysian Chinese immigrant cooking on the foreign land that I now call home,” he reflects.
At Infinity, Lee continues to push boundaries, determined to create a restaurant that defies the “tourist trap” label and celebrates ambitious, contemporary dining at one of Sydney’s most iconic locations.
The recognition as a Young Chef of the Year finalist also highlights another cause close to Lee’s heart – changing the perception of migrant chefs. “This job isn’t just a pathway to obtain permanent residency … people treat this industry seriously and are really proud of what they do,” he says. “We need to ensure they have the ingredients to succeed, and know there’s proper career progression within this industry.”
As one of just five finalists recognised across the state, Lee’s selection underscores not only his individual talent but also the growing reputation of Infinity by Mark Best as a destination for serious dining – high above Sydney’s skyline.
