Ange Branca grew up in her grandmother’s kitchen where she learned the traditional techniques of Malaysian cooking, a cuisine that bears the influence of multiple cultures dating back to the 14th century when Malaysia was a spice trading hub. Though she grew up in a culinary family, she spent the first part of her career in business consulting for international corporations like Deloitte and IBM, which landed her in the US. Her nostalgia for the flavors of home coupled with what she perceived as a dying appreciation for humble Malaysian cuisine inspired Ange to open Saté Kampar, a restaurant focusing on saté (skewered meat grilled on coconut shell charcoal) and traditional Malaysian cooking made from scratch with unique ingredients specially grown for the restaurant or imported from Malaysia. The restaurant quickly became one of Philly’s top restaurants, voted Best of Philly by Philadelphia Magazine. In 2016, Zagat named Saté Kampar the top 10 most important restaurant openings of the year. Saté Kampar was nominated for the James Beard Award in 2017. 

The diversity of food and culture that Ange grew up with in Malaysia inspired her latest project: a charity dinner series called Muhibbah Dinners. ‘Muhibbah’—when people of multiple cultures, races and religions come together in peace and tolerance—is best appreciated when a good meal is shared. Ange started Muhibbah Dinners to bring together chefs of different backgrounds and cultures to celebrate diversity with diners in Philadelphia and raise funds for nonprofits that work with immigrants and refugees.

Joncarl Lachman began in the culinary field after college where he worked as a waiter and discovered his real passion was waiting for him in the kitchen. This led him to study at the Institute of Culinary Education and eventually win the San Pellegrino Famous Chef Award in 2002. 

Joncarl opened up restaurants in Chicago and Columbus, Ohio, before returning to his hometown of Philadelphia in 2012. Upon his return, he opened up the celebrated East Passyunk BYO Noord Eetcafe, a homage to classic Northern European bistro fare which celebrates his Dutch heritage. He has since partnered on The Dutch with Lee Styer, and recently opened Winkel, a Dutch breakfast café in Center City.

Food has always been the center of Diana Widjojo’s life. Living in New York City surrounded by a plethora of cuisines, Widjojo developed an appreciation for the traditions and foods of different cultures early in life. Recognizing Indonesian food’s underrepresentation in the United States’ culinary industry, Widjojo became committed to introducing her culture’s cuisine to diners. She and her sisters assisted their mother in her catering business as a child, and later, the chef took her passion to the Art Institute of New York City where she pursued a degree in Culinary Management.

Following graduation, Chef Widjojo moved to Philadelphia to work alongside Lachman at Noord. In February 2017, Widjojo and her sisters took ownership of Hardena, their parents’ Indonesian catering business and restaurant, and today they continue the mission of introducing Indonesian cuisine and culture to the general public.