Business Daily Media

The Times


.

Lexus Partners with the Maverick Academy to Drive Culinary Excellence in Latest Cooking Competition

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 October 2024 - This October, Lexus Asia announces their partnership with AR Asia Production to launch an exciting gastronomy series The Maverick Academy on Netflix.

The Maverick Academy is an innovative culinary competition that champions gastronomic talent in craft, and entrepreneurial spirit of aspiring chefs from across Asia. This marks the first partnership of its kind, where Lexus' promise of creating amazing experiences meets the artistry of culinary mastery, elevating luxury beyond vehicles.

Photo Credit: AR Asia Production
Photo Credit: AR Asia Production

On the show, the contestants will be put to the ultimate test with exciting cooking challenges, fierce eliminations to showcase their cooking prowess, creativity, entrepreneurial potential and grit to survive The Maverick Academy. Each episode aims to uncover the sophistication of culinary craft that can transform a simple dish into an epicurean experience.

Led by The Demon Chef, Alvin Leung, The Maverick Academy will see 8 contestants from the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Hong Kong vie for the top spot in the competition. The winner of The Maverick Academy will be granted an invaluable opportunity as Chef Alvin's apprentice and business partner.

The highly acclaimed Chef Alvin Leung, is a Canadian chef and television personality. He is the chef owner of Bo Innovation, Hong Kong, a 2 Michelin-starred restaurant, which serves up redefined Chinese flavours, also known as X-treme Chinese cuisine, and has been a judge on Masterchef Canada.

The show will also star the hottest and most successful chef entrepreneurs in Thailand as judges like Chef Tam who received the 2024 MICHELIN Guide Young Chef Award, and Chef Ton who runs one of the most exciting kitchens in Bangkok, Le Du. Also joining the lineup is celebrity chef Michael Bonacini, co-founder of one of Canada's leading fine dining restaurant companies Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants.

Underpinned by the dedication to craftsmanship and its human-centred mindset, Lexus has always been driven by the commitment to provide amazing experiences. The very essence of these values are mirrored in The Maverick Academy, which advocates the continuous refinement of skills, the boldness to defy culinary norms, and the determination to stay true to one's cultural and inspirational roots.

Throughout the programme, viewers will be able to catch Lexus' latest models in action as they seamlessly blend into the high-energy environment of the 5-episode series. The winner would also have limited-time ownership of a Lexus LBX.

Lexus is proud to be the first automotive brand to partner with AR Asia Production for The Maverick Academy. This collaboration is a unique opportunity to showcase how Lexus' commitment to craft translates across different fields.

"This partnership is a celebration of craftsmanship and excellence, and we're excited to be a part of The Maverick Academy. The show aptly demonstrates the ethos of Lexus - the blending of passion, innovation, and exceptional customer-centric focus to create unforgettable elevated experiences," said Preston Tan, Vice President of Lexus Asia. "Just as Lexus crafts exceptional experiences, the chefs are creating amazing sensory experiences."

"We believe that this series not only celebrates and supports aspiring chefs but also inspires chefs and viewers alike, to embark on their own culinary journeys."

Lexus is an automotive company that strives to bring experiences that resonate with those who seek more than just mobility, weaving customers' lifestyle interest in its outreach. Stay tuned as Lexus continues to push the boundaries and redefines the craft of dining by bringing bespoke dining activations to Asia.

The Maverick Academy will air on Netflix on 08 November 2024. Fans can expect a season of culinary adventures, driven by the unparalleled performance and style of Lexus.

To know more about Lexus and The Maverick Academy, please go to lexusasia.com/culinary/maverickacademy .

Hashtag: #Lexus #MaverickAcademy

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Lexus

Lexus launched in 1989 with a flagship sedan and a guest experience that helped define the premium automotive industry. In 1998, Lexus introduced the luxury crossover category with the launch of the Lexus RX. The luxury hybrid sales leader, Lexus delivered the world's first luxury hybrid and has since sold over 2.66 million hybrid vehicles including HEVs, PHEVs, and BEVs. (as of the end of August 2023)

A global luxury automotive brand with an unwavering commitment to bold, uncompromising design, exceptional craftsmanship, and exhilarating performance, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of the next generation of global luxury guests and is currently available in over 90 countries/regions worldwide.

Lexus associates/team members across the world are dedicated to crafting amazing experiences that are uniquely Lexus, and that excite and change the world.

About The Maverick Academy

"The Maverick Academy" is an innovative culinary competition series created by Anne Chan and Demon Chef Alvin Leung, designed to discover and mentor the next generation of culinary talent and business visionaries.

About Chef Alvin Leung

The Demon Chef, Alvin Leung is an English-born Hong Kong-Canadian chef and television personality. He holds two Michelin stars at his Hong Kong-based restaurant Bo Innovation and one Michelin star at Bo London. Nicknamed 'The Demon Chef', he invented his own cuisine named X-Treme Chinese, which has modernized Chinese cuisine and single-handedly created new taste sensations that give diners a unique experience with every visit. A self-taught chef who draws from his training as an engineer, Leung is constantly pushing the limits and unveiling surprises with his X-Treme Chinese cuisine. In addition to the many restaurants opened under his guidance, Leung has risen to fame through an illustrious television career including judging MasterChef Canada.

News from Asia

Huagui Group: A Global Player Across Two RMB100-Billion Aquatic Markets, as Honghu Lotus Root Ranks No. 1 in Antioxidant Content

HONGHU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 September 2026 – Honghu lotus root ranks first in antioxidant content among major lotus-root-producing regions, according to industrial report by China...

GrabSteel Enters into Committed Equity Facility of up to US$100 Million with White Lion Capital

Johor steel distributor, built to US$28 million without outside equity, arranges its first committed source of outside capital, available following a U.S. listing, to develop Matcon, a construction...

Angel Health Wan Chai Clinic Commences Operations, Providing General Practice, Health Check and Vaccination Services

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 September 2026 – Angel Health has commenced operations at the Wan Chai clinic, marking a further expansion of the medical service network...

Correcting and Replacing: Global Schools Group Marks 25th Anniversary with S$100,000 Multi-Organisation Community Support

The Group outlined ambitious global expansion with 20 new campuses by 2030 and next-generation student initiativesSINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 September 2026 – Global Schools Group (GS...

From Holiday Getaways to Meaningful Journeys: How Le Méridien Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort Is Reshaping the Festive Season

PHUKET, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 September 2026 – As travellers increasingly seek meaningful ways to celebrate the festive season, Le Méridien Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort is unvei...

MIHAS Reaffirms Malaysia’s Pivotal Role in the Growing Global Halal Economy

Flagship Halal Showcase Connects Exporters Across 58 Countries, Unifying Global Sourcing, Sector MoUs, and Industry Knowledge HubsKUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 September 20...

Amari Koh Samui and OZO Chaweng Samui invite active travellers to fill their trip with more of the experiences they love

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 September 2026 – A race or sporting event may be the reason to pack a bag and set off, but the enjoyment of a trip need not end at the finish line...

Green SM Begins Pilot Operations In The Netherlands, Further Expanding Its Presence In Europe

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 September 2026 – On September 25, Green SM held a technical opening event in the Netherlands, marking the beginning of its high-quality pure-...

MIHAS Awards 2026 Celebrates Excellence and Sets New Benchmark for Innovation, Sustainability and Digitalisation Across the Global Halal Ecosystem

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 September 2026 - The MIHAS Awards 2026, one of the key highlights of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2026, concluded today a...

QUORRA X5 Makes Its Global Debut at REHACARE International 2026 in Germany

DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 September 2026 – QUORRA X5, a micro-mobility robot, has made its global debut at REHACARE International 2026 – International Trade Fair for Rehab...

Customer Service Is Becoming Part of the Small Business Sales and Marketing Engine

For Customer Service Week, 5-9 October, Thryv is urging small businesses to look beyond generating  enquiries and examine what happens after a custome...

Gift Cards as the gateway to agentic payments

Prepaid and stored value gives consumers the trust and control to try AI shopping agents By Blackhawk Network VP Head of ANZ Kieran Nolan For deca...

Why Data Accumulation Without Governance Undermines Sustainability Goals

In July 2026, Group 2 entities, the second cohort of Australian businesses, began their first reporting period under the mandatory climate disclosur...

Permanent $20,000 Instant Asset Write-Off Gives Small Businesses Greater Planning Certainty

The Federal Government’s decision to permanently legislate the $20,000 instant asset write-off will give eligible small businesses greater certainty...

Selling a Small Business in Australia: Understanding the Capital Gains Tax Concessions

For many Australian business owners, selling a business represents the reward for years—sometimes decades—of hard work. Unlike employees who may bu...

Australian businesses lean into global strategic partnerships (GCCs) for next wave of outsourcing

The Australian corporate landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation in how it sources talent and innovation. While businesses have traditi...