About James Won, questions answered
The short answers: who I am, what Serumpun Sarawak is, the restaurants, and where I am speaking next.
The questions people most often ask about James Won, answered briefly, with links to the full record.
Who he is
Who is James Won?
James Won (文明辉) is a chef based in Kuala Lumpur and the Co-Founder and Custodian of Serumpun Sarawak, a programme that carries the food knowledge of Borneo’s thirty-four indigenous communities. He cooks contemporary French cuisine with Modernist techniques, rooted in Borneo’s ingredients. He holds two French knighthoods, Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite Agricole (2024) and Chevalier de l’Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne (2014), and is Adjunct Professor at Taylor’s Culinary Institute.
What is James Won’s Chinese name?
James Won’s Chinese name is 文明辉. His full name is James MF Won; the site and the press use James Won.
What honours has James Won received?
James Won holds two French knighthoods. He was appointed Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite Agricole, a state order of the French Republic, in July 2024, and inducted as Chevalier de l’Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne, the Champagne confraternity order, in November 2014. He is the first Malaysian chef to hold both. The full list is on Recognition.
Which brands is James Won an ambassador for?
James Won has been a Krug Ambassade Chef since June 2014, the first Malaysian chef to receive the recognition. He is Gaggenau’s first Malaysian Culinary Spokesperson, the inaugural ambassador for The Plan, and an official ambassador for Mepra. His wider work with maisons is on Collaborations.
Serumpun Sarawak
What is Serumpun Sarawak?
Serumpun Sarawak is a culinary diplomacy and conservation programme that brings the food, ingredients and knowledge of Sarawak’s indigenous communities to the table, at home and abroad. It launched in Kuching in July 2025, made its international debut at Seaside Studio CASO for Sarawak Week at World Expo Osaka from 5 to 8 August 2025, held its third chapter in Gunung Mulu from 2 to 4 October 2025, and closed its founding year at Sarawak Cultural Village, Santubong, on 2 April 2026. UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy Kuching endorsed it in March 2026.
What does serumpun mean?
Serumpun is a Bahasa Malaysia word meaning of the same root, of one cluster. The name speaks to the communities whose food knowledge the programme carries.
What is James Won’s role in Serumpun Sarawak?
James Won is Co-Founder and Custodian of Serumpun Sarawak. He sees the role as temporary: the knowledge belongs to the communities, and the In Motion mentees are trained to carry it on.
Restaurants
Which restaurants has James Won run?
James Won’s restaurants, in order, were BadBoyCooks Diner at Oasis Square, Ara Damansara; Brasserie Enfin at Oasis Square, Petaling Jaya (2014 to early 2016); Enfin by James Won at Menara Hap Seng, Kuala Lumpur (April 2016 to 2019/2020); Bouchon Enfin at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur; Shin’Labo by James Won at LaLaport, Kuala Lumpur (2022 to 2024); and MeatMore at Bukit Bintang (October 2023 to 2024). Each has its own page under Restaurant Legacy.
Talks and contact
Where is James Won speaking next?
James Won joins Panel 2 of the Women in Sustainability Forum 2026 at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, on 25 November 2026, and speaks at TEDxBangsar Baru at Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, on 28 November 2026. The current list is on Speaking.
How can I invite James Won to speak or collaborate?
Write to connect@chefjameswon.com about consulting, events and catering, brand collaborations, speaking, teaching, media or Serumpun Sarawak partnerships. Work with James Won sets out each route, and replies usually come within three working days.