Alan Yau (2/2)

He continued: “Another caveat – and an even bigger generalization – I find the Asian mentality in catering, that of the chef in particular, less developed than in Europe,” he continued. “The Asians are still working for money, whereas with Europeans, with certain chefs, it’s beyond materialism. With Europeans, their civilization and development has gone past materialism. They are entering the post-material age [with] greater middle-class wealth and education, which helps encourage a more altruistic attitude toward food and the business, and that’s nice.” Yau, who is married to a Turkish woman, said he dreams of opening a Turkish restaurant concept and a restaurant industry that has a little less ego and is less driven by money. Yau’s vision of Wagamama has converted thousands of teenagers to the pleasures of eating out and to eating healthily. No other restaurateur has created restaurants where so many will queue for so long, have fun and leave wanting to return. He is a miracle man who has changed London’s dining scene.