Chef Stefan Liau, married in January and opened Hevel in 2023, passes away at 33

SINGAPORE: The culinary community is mourning the loss of Mr Stefan Liau, chef-owner of Hevel, a contemporary European restaurant along Keong Saik Road.

At just 33, Mr Liau passed away unexpectedly, only a year after opening his restaurant and less than a year into his marriage.

News of his passing was shared by Hevel via Instagram on Saturday, 7 December, describing him as “a kind mentor, a devoted husband, and a close friend” who brought warmth, creativity, and genuine care to those around him.

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“No words can express how heartbroken we are,” the post read, as the restaurant pledged to support his widow, Claresta, and the Liau family.

The post also stated: “His spirit will live on in every dish and every moment shared at our tables.”

A Rising Star in Fine Dining

Mr Liau’s journey in the food and beverage (F&B) industry began at the age of 16.

Over the years, he carved out a name for himself with stints at Michelin-starred restaurants in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Singapore.

His ambition came to fruition in November 2023 when he opened Hevel, his first restaurant.

Hevel quickly gained acclaim for its tasting menus, which offered refined communal dining experiences.

Mr Liau’s vision was to make fine dining accessible while nurturing young culinary talents.

According to Claresta, the couple celebrated Hevel’s one-year anniversary just last month, a testament to Mr Liau’s hard work and dedication.

A Devoted Husband and Visionary Chef

Claresta, who married Mr Liau in January this year, spoke tearfully to Shin Min Daily News at his wake.

She described him as an “excellent and dedicated chef” whose passion and perseverance earned him respect in the competitive culinary world.

The family received the devastating news of his death on Friday, 6 December.

While they declined to disclose the cause of his passing, Claresta shared that the funeral service would be held on Monday, 9 December, followed by cremation.

“When I saw all our friends mourning Stefan, I suddenly realised that the last time everyone gathered together was at our wedding,” she said.

Uncertain Future for Hevel

Mr Liau’s passing has cast uncertainty over the future of Hevel.

Miguel, Hevel’s managing director, revealed that Mr Liau had taken a significant risk by leaving his stable position as head chef at an exclusive local club to pursue his dream of restaurant ownership.

“This was a big gamble for him,” Miguel said, adding that the team was caught off-guard by the tragedy.

The restaurant, temporarily closed since Mr Liau’s passing, plans to resume operations on 11 December.

The restaurant expressed gratitude for the overwhelming love and support from fans, saying it reflected the profound impact Mr Liau had on the community.