Wikipedia

Justine Li

Justine Li is a Taiwanese chef and restaurateur. In 2020 she was awarded a Michelin star for her restaurant Fleur De Sel, she was the first female chef in Taiwan to receive one.

Early life and education

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Li dropped out of school at 17 to work.[1]

Career

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Li began working in a hotel at 17 and continued in the hospitality field from there.[2] Li worked in Europe (United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and France) for two decades before returning to Taiwan.[3] Her impact on Taiwan's food scene has been significant, according to CommonWealth Magazine she is known as “Central Taiwan’s godmother of Western food.”[3]

Fleur De Sel

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Li founded Fleur De Sel in Taichung in 2004.[3] The restaurant was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] However business improved due to Taiwan's better than average response to the virus with customers quickly returning to the restaurant.[5] Following a renovation Fleur De Sel has a salt crystal inspired facade. The interior is luxurious and understated and the menu combines French technique and tradition with Taiwanese ingredients.[6] In 2022 Fleur De Sel's Pauline Yu was awarded Michelin's Welcome and Service Award.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "How This Woman Became a Michelin Star Chef in Taiwan - In Her Shoes". taiwanplus.com. Taiwan Plus. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  2. ^ "Meet The 18 Female Chefs Who Lead MICHELIN Star Restaurants In Asia". michelin.com. Michelin. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Wu, Sunny. "Michelin Guide Taiwan – Taipei vs. Taichung". topics.amcham.com.tw. CommonWealth Magazine (Taiwan). Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  4. ^ "Taichung One-MICHELIN-starred Fleur de Sel's Chef Justine Li: Cherishing Customers' Trust". michelin.com. Michelin. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  5. ^ Qin, Amy; Chang Chien, Amy. "Covid? What Covid? Taiwan Thrives as a Bubble of Normality". nytimes.com. The New York Times. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  6. ^ Lee, Kaze. "Taste of Michelin in Taiwan: Fleur de Sel Restaurant". imfirstclass.com. IM First Class. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  7. ^ Duffell, Rachel. "Taiwan's Michelin Guide 2022 Revealed, With Tainan and Kaohsiung Making Their Debut". tatlerasia.com. Tattler Asia. Retrieved 22 July 2025.