Ian Ho
Head Chef – Yum Sing House
Yum Sing House Head Chef, Ian Ho, brings more than 15 years of experience across some of Melbourne’s most respected kitchens. His cooking is defined by an intention and restraint that reflect both his Malaysian heritage and formative years in Melbourne’s dining scene.
Hailing from Kuala Lumpur, Ho moved to Melbourne at 18 and has called the city home ever since. His culinary journey began almost by chance – what started as a passion for creative cooking, combined with a six-month apprenticeship in his hometown, led to an opportunity in Melbourne that would soon transform into a lifelong pursuit.
Ho’s career charts a steady progression through some of Melbourne’s most notable venues. Starting in 2009 as commis to chef de partie at Lamaro’s, he moved to The Smith Prahran in 2011, where he quickly rose from chef de partie to head chef. From 2019 to 2024, Ho continued to hone his leadership and technical skills with senior roles at Acre Farmhouse & Eatery, L’Hotel Gitan, Copycat in Elsternwick, Taxi Kitchen and the wider Transport Hotel group before taking on the executive chef across in 2025 at Añada, Arcadia Café and The Rochester Hotel.
Mentored by respected industry figures including Brad Simpson, Zac Cribbes, Michael Lambie and Jacques Reymond, Ho credits these long-standing professional relationships with shaping his approach to both food and leadership. Ho’s cooking is both technically precise and flavour-focused, with a particular strength lying in his handling of proteins and slow-cooked dishes.
Outside the kitchen, Ho draws inspiration from travel, particularly the recent time spent in Spain’s Basque Country and from meals rooted in memory. If you ask him about his last meal, it would be his mother’s steamed eggs over rice: simple, nostalgic and deeply personal.
At Yum Sing House, Ho leads with an adaptable and quietly assured style, encouraging a kitchen culture that values efficiency, creativity and collaboration.
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
About Yum Sing House:
22 Sutherland Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Opening in late 2020, Yum Sing House is a multifaceted venue that promises a vibrant evening that goes beyond expectation. Tucked away within the bustling laneways of Melbourne’s CBD, the ground-level houses a stylish 90-seat restaurant where Chef Ian Ho seamlessly blends refined Asian cuisine, authentic flavours with contemporary flair. An extensive drinks list features signature cocktails, an array of spirits, including over 60 whiskies, local drops and international wines to match. Upstairs, a beautifully appointed bar and private karaoke rooms invite guests to continue their night with a kitchen that remains open until 3 AM.
Google Drive media image gallery link: here
Website: https://yumsinghouse.com/
Instagram: @yumsinghouse
Facebook: @yumsinghouse
For media enquiries, please contact:
Maddie Lurati | Reymond Communications
E: maddie@reymond.com.au | M: +61 (0) 466 594 407
