Speaking at a recent press conference, the 52-year-old chef shared that was captivated by Singapore’s diverse food scene and “a high level of hospitality” that he remembers from his maiden trip here 15 years ago.

Recalling his first trip, he shares: “What I never forget is the high level of hospitality. I had tears in my eyes — you do not get that level of hospitality in Europe.” 

In 2017, Herman met Andreas Stalder, Senior Vice President of Grand Hyatt’s food & beverage operations and product development in Asia Pacific at a guest chef event at Grand Hyatt Tokyo. Both men hit it off, and Herman was later presented with an opportunity to start a restaurant in Singapore.

This marks the first time that Herman is collaborating with an international hotel chain, which is banking on his track record of running successful restaurants in Europe. 

When asked about the concept for his upcoming Singapore restaurant that he is veering towards, he says: “We may look into doing something fine-casual, which is happening more than before, and of course, fine-dining, which is something in my DNA and that I grew up with. I am discussing it with my team before making a decision.”

He adds: “Planting our flag in the heart of a dynamic city like Singapore will broaden our culinary horizon. We are determined to make this a success and establish it as a new classic.” He will be in Singapore for a longer time prior to the launch of the restaurant and plans to be in town every season.

The Antwerp-based Sergio Herman Group runs five restaurant concepts under its empire. They include fine-dining restaurants such as two-Michelin-starred Pure C, Le Pristine and AlRepublic (which has one Michelin star each), and the casual French fries joint, Frites Atelier, which are all in the Netherlands and Belgium.

This collaboration also marks the first restaurant fronted by a heavyweight chef in Grand Hyatt Hotels across Asia-Pacific.

The Sergio Herman restaurant will headline the revamped dining line-up at the Grand Hyatt Singapore, which closes in mid-September for a four-month renovation. 

The 51-year-old hotel is also taking the opportunity to spruce up its dining options to keep up with the competitive dining landscape. However, concepts such as stalwart Italian restaurant Pete’s Place and Asian buffet restaurant StraitsKitchen will remain. 

Related: How Zeeland became The Netherlands’ most Michelin-starred province