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The culinary evolution by elite chef Christopher Kostow and Head Chef Miles Pundsack Poe blends Californian farm-to-table culture with unique Chinese ingredients and flavors
SHENZHEN, China and HONG KONG, March 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Ensue, the first restaurant in China by world-renowned chef Christopher Kostow and led by Head Chef Miles Pundsack Poe, celebrates its historic entry on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022 at no.19, making it the first ever restaurant from Shenzhen, and the first in South China region to enter into the list. Ensue brings to life the newfangled vision of Kostow — to translate the farm-to-table culture of California in the bustling metropolis of Shenzhen. Ensue climbs to new heights as it celebrates its induction into the coveted top 50 list among respected culinary pioneers in the region.
ENSUE: THE VISION & CONCEPT
Launched in the summer of 2019 in Shenzhen, Ensue is the brainchild of globetrotting gastronome, Founder & Owner Ricky Li and Executive Chef Christopher Kostow, led by Canadian Head Chef Miles Pundsack Poe. The philosophy of the restaurant is reflected in its name: Ensue implies constant motion and continuation; evolution and the precipitation of results. Ensue is a restaurant that is innovative and progressive, much like the city it has made its home. Chef Kostow is no stranger to this philosophy, having maintained three Michelin stars over nine consecutive years at The Restaurant at Meadowood, then making the unconventional move to Shenzhen — a world away from his greenery-filled estate in Napa Valley.
One year before the official opening of the restaurant, Ricky along with Kostow and Miles embarked on an intensive research trip around the South China region. There, they learned of the abundance and variety of Chinese ingredients – especially within this particular region – which could be utilized in the menu developments of Ensue. In addition, Ensue also invited renowned food critic Agnes Chee to work closely together with Chef Kostow and Miles to translate the Napa experience in Shenzhen to the taste and sensibilities of Chinese dining culture.
"I’m passionate about food," says Founder and Owner, Ricky Li. "Fine dining in a city like Shenzhen is still at a very early stage of development — a lot of people thought I was crazy to have this vision to create Ensue when we first opened. However, what I have learned is, if you want to progress and evolve, you must have courage to do things differently. Born and raised in Shenzhen, I have travelled extensively around the world eating at the finest restaurants, and these experiences inspired me to think more about what I could do for my city. I wanted to contribute and simultaneously change the mentality of Shenzhen’s eating culture. I also wanted to bring in top-quality, world-class food and refined taste to Shenzhen, to show the world audience another side of fine dining in China."
ENSUE’S MISSION & ETHOS
At Ensue, Chef Kostow and Head Chef, Miles Pundsack Poe have made it their mission to learn, immerse themselves in, and respect the local tastes and ingredients. As one of the very few leaders within China insisting on and promoting the sustainable food movement, Ensue aims to show that world-class cuisine can be presented in a respectful yet sustainable way.
Close to 100% of the produce at Ensue is sourced locally from organic farms, bolstering the belief that China has the same ability as any other great agricultural country to provide the best ingredients to locally produced cuisine. Ensue is proud to seek these very ingredients to support the idea that, a single vegetable in its purest form holds enough remarkable flavor that it can become the star of any dish. The team at Ensue hopes to showcase the beauty and delicacy of each ingredient, using a unique set of world-class cooking techniques that sets it apart from the rest.
In pursuit of inspiration and knowledge, the kitchen team is constantly travelling to different regions of China to explore the dynamic and abundant local produce that the country has to offer. The most recent visits include Yunnan, Zhuhai, Zhongshan and Tai Zhou.
"Food is like an umbilical cord that connects nature and people together," says Founder Ricky Li. "Through the ethos and vision of Ensue, I want to nourish their palates, bring awareness to local produce and to rebuild this connection between food, nature and people in Shenzhen"
ENSUE’S SIGNATURE DISHES
A continuation of three Michelin-starred The Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley, Ensue melds Napa’s elegant countryside cuisine with local Chinese ingredients. Signature dishes that capture Chef Kostow’s masterful East-meets-West cooking at Ensue includes Chicken Baked in Sourdough, a classic dish brought over from The Restaurant at Meadowood that has been elevated with a Chinese spin. Marinated and cured 120-day Qingyuan chicken is wrapped in sourdough bread and baked, resulting in a mouthwatering chicken that retains all its juices. The perfect representation of Ensue, the dish demonstrates the seamless blending of flavors and cooking techniques from California and Shenzhen.
A dish that pays homage to Shenzhen, the Pomfret with Lily Bulb Congee is inspired by the history of the city from over 2,000 years ago during its humble beginnings as a fishing settlement. Common dishes at the time comprised of congee, salty fish, and blanched vegetables, and Chef Kostow decided to create his own rendition of the staple diet. After doing research at the local wet market, Chef Kostow decided upon the pomfret fish, a representative ingredient of Guangdong region. He added 9-year lily bulbs from Gansu to add an extra dimension of sweetness to the congee, and replaced the vegetable element with an infusion of pestled herbs from organic local farms. Ever since the dish’s debut on Ensue’s first menu, it has been a crowd-favorite since.
In line with the kitchen’s ethos of sustainability, Ensue’s chefs enjoy the challenge of using or upcycling commonly overlooked or discarded ingredients. Ensue is constantly pushing the boundaries of traditional fine dining and prompting guests to re-think what luxury truly means. One such signature dish that represents this is the Roasted Monkfish with Liver Torchon, Cashew Milk and Sturgeon Marrow. The whole monkfish is used including parts that are typically unfavored– from the liver, tail, and bones for the fumet, to the sturgeon marrow for the sauce. The Sturgeon Marrow Jelly with Heirloom Beans and Ossetra Caviar also uses two lesser-known and rarely seen ingredients (sturgeon marrow and heirloom beans) in fine dining menus.
"I am so proud of Chef Miles, Ricky, Laurent, Della, and the entire Ensue team. It’s been an incredibly challenging year, and their perseverance, commitment to the vision of Ensue, and daily execution has been nothing short of remarkable. I am humbled to be part of this restaurant" says Executive Chef Christopher Kostow."
WHAT’S NEXT AT ENSUE?
As a fine dining restaurant pioneer in Shenzhen, Ensue will continue to shine a light on Chinese ingredients to the world through events and collaborations. Whilst the city is still at a relatively early stage for fine-dining culture, Ensue will continue to promote to guests from all corners of the country on the importance of sustainability, local ingredients and culture. Through the power of food, Ensue’s goal is to link the city to nature.
Ensue currently offerings 3 options of tasting menus, Garden Vegetables and Grains Menu at RMB1288 per guest (USD202 per guest), Taste of Ensue Menu at RMB1688 (USD265 per guest), and Seasonal Tasting Menu at RMB1888 (USD297 per guest).
About Ensue
The name "Ensue" implies constant motion, continuation, striving for results. This describes the philosophy of our restaurant, and also the city of Shenzhen. Ensue represents Chef Kostow’s latest evolution, blending California farm-to-table culture and techniques with Cantonese tastes and ingredients. The menu at Ensue pays respect to the local products, unique palate and culinary traditions.
About Christopher Kostow
Christopher Kostow is the critically acclaimed chef of The Restaurant at Meadowood in St. Helena, California and the third youngest chef to ever receive three Michelin stars. Kostow draws upon his own American upbringing and the singular beauty and bounty of the Napa Valley to cook food that is thoughtful, personal, and in concert with his community and collaborators.
Contact Ensue
Address: 4088 Yi Tian Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, Floor 40 Futian Shangri-La Hotel
Phone: +86 755-8622-3133
Website: www.ensue-sz.com
Email: info@ensue-sz.com
Opening Hours – Tuesday – Sunday, 530pm – 900pm
Social Media – @ensue_sz @ckostow
For high resolution images, please click HERE or download from below
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9e73vvhbx3xssmh/AABk6MVH8pfjWtzPO1vAEVXWa?dl=0