Susur Lee

Early life and culinary training

Susur Lee was born in Hong Kong on 27 December 1958, the youngest of six children. His formal culinary education began with an apprenticeship at the prestigious Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong. This early training exposed him to classic French kitchen techniques within a grand hotel setting. The fusion of his Chinese heritage and this French culinary foundation would later become the defining characteristic of his cooking style. He has described this period as formative, noting his interest in French cooking was sparked while training in a French kitchen in Hong Kong.

Immigration and early career in Toronto

Lee immigrated to Canada in 1978, settling in Toronto. He has spoken about the challenges of being a newcomer, citing the extremely long hours of kitchen work as a positive distraction from other difficulties. He worked his way up through several Toronto establishments, including roles at Le Trou Normand, Le Connaisseur, and The Westbury Hotel. His first major entrepreneurial step came in 1987 with the opening of Lotus, his debut restaurant in Toronto. Lee chose Toronto because he believed Canadians were open-minded and curious about different cultures and foods, making it an ideal place to introduce his fusion cuisine.

Rise to prominence and restaurant empire

Lee's reputation grew through a series of acclaimed Toronto restaurants. Following Lotus, he opened Susur in 2000, which became a destination for his detailed tasting menus. The flagship Lee Restaurant opened in 2004 and remains in operation. His restaurant group expanded internationally with ventures in Singapore, New York, and Washington, D.C. Notable past affiliations include the high-profile Fring's, which he co-owned with rapper Drake from 2015 to 2018, and Luckee, which operated from 2014 to 2018. As of 2026, his active restaurants in the Greater Toronto Area are Lee Restaurant and Lee Kitchen at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

His culinary style is consistently described as a fusion of Southeast Asian and French techniques and flavours. He is particularly famous for his signature Singapore Slaw, a refined take on the traditional Lo Hei salad served during Chinese New Year. This dish represents his approach of blending cultural traditions with haute cuisine presentation. Lee has stated his ambition is to create immersive, sensory dining experiences, describing his restaurants as sensory theatres.

Television and media career

Lee's television career brought him national fame in Canada. He served as the lead chef, or Iron Chef, on the Canadian adaptation of Iron Chef Canada. He was also a finalist in the second season of Top Chef: Masters in the United States, finishing as a runner-up. His many other television appearances include roles as a judge on Chopped Canada, Top Chef Canada, MasterChef Asia, and Wall of Chefs. Earlier in his career, he was the second Canadian chef to compete on Iron Chef America, where he tied chef Bobby Flay in a battle. These appearances solidified his status as a recognizable food personality.

Social media and recent projects

In the 2020s, Lee embraced social media, reaching a new and younger audience. He is featured in a popular recurring series on TikTok produced by his son Jet Bent-Lee, where he transforms everyday foods into gourmet dishes. He also co-owns the YouTube channel Iron Chef Dad, which posts various food-related videos often featuring his family. This content presents his cooking in a more accessible, domestic setting. In 2026, he was named the official Vancouver Hospitality Captain for the FIFA World Cup 2026, highlighting his continued role as a culinary ambassador for Canada.

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career, Susur Lee has received significant accolades. These include the CAA Five Diamond Award and being named one of the Ten Chefs of the Millennium by Food & Wine magazine. In 2017, he was honoured with Canada's Best 100 Lifetime Achievement Award. His contributions as an immigrant were recognized in 2015 with a Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award. His restaurants have consistently been ranked among the best in the cities where they operate, contributing to his enduring influence on fine dining in Canada and abroad.

Controversies and labour disputes

Lee's restaurant group has faced several controversies related to employment practices. In 2007, the Ontario Ministry of Labour investigated unpaid wage claims and other violations at his Susur restaurant. A decade later, in 2017, his co-owned restaurant Fring's had its liquor license suspended for a week due to overcrowding and other violations. Later that same year, a public outcry erupted after it was revealed that staff tips at Lee, Fring's, and Bent had been docked to cover costs like spilled drinks, a practice illegal in Ontario. Following a petition with over 7,000 signatures, Lee and his sons, who help manage the business, announced they would refund all withheld gratuities to current and past employees.

Personal life and family

Lee is married to Brenda Bent, whom he wed in 1991. The couple has three sons: Levi, Kai, and Jet. His sons are involved in the family business, with Levi and Kai Bent-Lee helping to manage operations. His son Jet Bent-Lee is a content creator who produces the popular social media videos featuring his father. Lee's first wife, Marilou Covey, whom he met while working at the Peninsula Hotel, died in 1983 as a passenger aboard Korean Air Lines Flight 007. Lee has co-authored a book, A Culinary Life, with Canadian chef and writer Jacob Richler.

Questions about Susur Lee

What is Susur Lee famous for?

Susur Lee is famous as a Canadian celebrity chef known for his innovative fusion of Southeast Asian and French cuisines. He is widely recognized as the lead chef on the television show Iron Chef Canada and for operating several acclaimed restaurants, including Lee in Toronto. His signature dish, the Singapore Slaw, is a renowned take on a traditional salad. In recent years, he has also gained popularity through social media cooking videos made with his son Jet.

How many restaurants does Susur Lee own?

As of March 2026, Susur Lee operates three restaurants. In Toronto, he owns and chefs at Lee Restaurant, which opened in 2004, and Lee Kitchen at Toronto Pearson International Airport, open since 2015. He also owns and chefs at Tung Lok Heen in Singapore, which opened in 2010. He has owned and closed numerous other restaurants in Toronto, New York, Washington D.C., and Singapore throughout his career.

Where is Susur Lee from originally?

Susur Lee was born in Hong Kong on 27 December 1958. He began his culinary apprenticeship at the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong before immigrating to Canada in 1978. He has spoken about how his Chinese upbringing and his French culinary training in Hong Kong directly inspired his fusion cooking style. He chose Toronto to start his restaurant career because he valued Canada's multiculturalism and open-minded food culture.

Was Susur Lee on Top Chef?

Yes, Susur Lee was a contestant on the American reality competition Top Chef: Masters. He competed in the show's second season and finished as a runner-up, tying for second place behind winner Marcus Samuelsson. This appearance significantly raised his profile in the United States. He has also served as a guest judge on both the American and Canadian versions of Top Chef.

What is the name of Susur Lee's signature dish?

Susur Lee is especially well known for his signature dish called Singapore Slaw. This dish is his creative take on the Lo Hei salad, which is traditionally eaten during Chinese New Year. It represents his eclectic culinary style that is often described as fusion cuisine. The dish highlights his skill in blending different culinary traditions.

What awards has Susur Lee won?

Susur Lee has received several prestigious awards throughout his career. These include the CAA Five Diamond Award and the American Academy of Hospitality Services' 5 Diamond Award, where he was selected as one of the World's Best Chefs. He was also named one of the Ten Chefs of the Millennium by Food & Wine magazine. In 2017, he was honoured with Canada's Best 100 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Novello Desserts desk. Last updated 2026-10-21.