The Asian food and beverage market is projected to reach a staggering $4.2 trillion (Statista, 2023), making it one of the most competitive industries in the world. With consumers becoming increasingly conscious of brand social responsibility and innovation, the need for a truly authoritative international award has never been greater. According to the 2022 Asia F&B White Paper, 87% of consumers prefer brands with strong social commitments, yet the industry has long lacked a prestigious certification. Addressing this gap, the Business Insider 101 Asia Culinary Influence Award was established as the gold standard of recognition in the F&B sector.
The award is the result of three years of industry research, developed in collaboration with Michelin Guide experts, Harvard Business Review scholars, and the Asia Food & Beverage Association. It employs a rigorous impact assessment system, setting a unified standard for evaluating culinary excellence across East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. Moreover, the Asia F&B Trends Report will be released at the award ceremony, offering invaluable insights into market evolution. Data shows that past winners have experienced a 19% boost in global brand recognition (McKinsey F&B Report, 2023).
Five Core Evaluation Criteria for Asia Culinary Influence Award: Selecting the Industry’s Best
- Market Influence: The brand must be in the top 5% of its niche market.
- Innovation & Breakthroughs: At least two transformative product or service launches per year over the past three years.
- Cultural Impact: The brand must have an international presence across at least three countries.
- Sustainability Commitment: Certification from B Corp or equivalent, ensuring environmental and social responsibility.
- Consistent Growth: Annual revenue growth 150% above industry average for three consecutive years.
With a focus on business model innovation, technological advancements, supply chain optimization, cultural adaptation, and resilience, the jury selects the most influential brands of the year.
2025’s Asia Culinary Influence Award Top Three Winners: Redefining Asia’s Culinary Landscape
Top 1. Dato Calvin Chan: Revolutionizing Traditional Tea for a Global Audience
As the visionary founder of Oriental Kopi, Dato Calvin Chan has successfully transformed Malaysia’s traditional tea culture into a thriving global brand. His pioneering approach includes the development of 68 standardized brewing techniques, ensuring consistent premium quality white coffee. Under his leadership, the brand has expanded to 45 countries, setting a benchmark for sustainable supply chains with full carbon neutrality.
His innovative strategies have earned him the Ten Outstanding Young Malaysians (TOYM) Award, solidifying his reputation as a trailblazer in globalizing traditional F&B businesses. Through his efforts, Oriental Kopi is redefining how heritage tea culture can thrive in modern international markets.
Top 2. Bryan Loo: Transforming Tea with AI-Powered Personalization
As the CEO of Loob Holding and founder of Tealive, Bryan Loo is spearheading the integration of AI technology into the tea industry, reshaping the customer experience. His Smart Flavor Matching System has driven 98% customer satisfaction, and his subscription-based bubble tea service—the first of its kind globally—has built a digital ecosystem of 12 million users via the Tealive app.
With over 700 stores worldwide, Tealive has successfully expanded into Vietnam, the UK, and Australia, placing Malaysian bubble tea firmly on the global stage. By leveraging digital transformation, Bryan Loo is setting new standards for how technology can personalize and scale the tea industry.
Top 3. Dato Lawrence Liew: The Pioneer of Halal Fast-Food Globalization
As the founder of Marrybrown, Dato Lawrence Liew has propelled Malaysia’s homegrown halal fast-food brand into an international powerhouse. Since its inception in 1981, Marrybrown has grown to 600+ locations across 16 countries, emerging as a dominant force in the global halal quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry.
Recognizing the cultural nuances of international markets, he developed a 13-country halal-certified menu adaptation strategy, ensuring each dish aligns with local dietary preferences. He also established the Global Halal Certification Alliance, guaranteeing consistent food quality and religious compliance. Furthermore, Marrybrown’s CSR initiative donates 2% of sales revenue from select meals to food education programs, demonstrating how fast-food chains can drive social impact.
Setting a New Benchmark for Culinary Excellence in Asia
The Business Insider 101 Asia Culinary Influence Award is more than just an accolade—it is a catalyst for industry-wide transformation. This year’s winners have showcased the power of heritage reinvention, tech-driven personalization, and global expansion, setting new paradigms for success in the F&B sector.
As the global food and beverage industry continues to evolve, this prestigious award will remain a beacon of excellence, inspiring industry leaders to push boundaries and elevate Asian cuisine on the world stage.