i. Biography
Coming Up
Cantonese cooking at Shang Palace in Paris has been shaped by Samuel Lee Sum with restraint, seasonal judgment, and a clear line back to tradition. Since 2015, the Executive Chef role has given his kitchen a fixed point: present authentic traditional Cantonese cooking with the finest and seasonal ingredients, without blurring the style’s essential discipline. Born in Hong Kong, he brings the cadence and standards of Cantonese cuisine into a Paris dining room.
Where They Are Now
Cantonese cuisine depends on timing, clarity, and an exact read on ingredients, and that is the framework Samuel Lee Sum applies at Shang Palace. The restaurant’s direction under his hand is composed rather than decorative, with the emphasis kept on technique and fidelity to tradition. In 2019, he created Sweet Cheese, a dessert project based on cheese, adding a sweet course to a body of work better known for savory cooking while keeping the same attention to balance and construction.
Signature
Sweet Cheese is the signature named in Samuel Lee Sum’s work, and it marks the same values that define his Cantonese cooking at Shang Palace: precision, distinctiveness, and control. The dish reads as a focused expression rather than a display piece, built around a clear idea and carried with care. In this context, signature means a dish that holds together because the decisions behind it are disciplined.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Samuel
What is Samuel Lee Sum's current role?
As of 2026, Samuel Lee Sum is Executive Chef.
What is Samuel Lee Sum known for?
Cantonese cuisine.
