Chester Chan’s best life

Yakitori chef Chester Chan is leading Burnt Bird, a new food stall at the Garden of Unearthly Delights this year. The stall will use premium ingredients with traditional charcoal to craft traditional Japanese techniques.

Feb 14, 2025, updated Feb 14, 2025

Describe the best day of your life.
My most fulfilling moments are when I observe the extraordinary outcomes that emerge from my previous efforts and investments. It’s like standing on top of a mountain, surveying the landscape of my achievements, and realising that every challenge and investment has culminated in this breathtaking view of success. In these moments, I can simply pause and enjoy the remarkable outcome I’ve created.

What brings you joy in life?
Good coffee, good meals, good music, good wine.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
The best advice is to truly listen – not just hear words but understand the deeper meaning. Effective listening builds stronger connections and mutual understanding.

What is your most treasured photograph you have and why?
This captured the moment I was preparing King Salmon sashimi from New Zealand using my yanagiba (Sashimi knife).

Describe the best meal you’ve ever eaten.
The best meal I had was a plain porridge when I was young during a severe illness. When the body craves nourishment, even the simplest dish can become an unforgettable feast. This humble meal by my mum represented more than food – it was a lifeline of recovery and love.

What are the best qualities of your favourite person?
The best qualities of my favourite person are that they are passionate about the quality of life, they are curious and always asking questions. Also, finding similarity in “all things” and discovering the “art” within, appreciating them because they are magic.

What are the best five songs on your playlist?
Tennessee Whiskey – Stan Walker
Do You Wonder – Khai Dreams
Shape of My Heart – Sting
Something About Us – Daft Punk
A Song For You – Carpenters

What was your best purchase?
My best purchase is a coffee maker for two key reasons. The first is because I find the brewing process enjoyable. Making coffee at home is a pleasurable, personal ritual that allows creative preparation. The second reason is that it helps me save money! Brewing coffee yourself is dramatically cheaper than buying coffee from cafes and potentially saves hundreds of dollars annually!