A menu designed and specially prepared by three of SJM’s MICHELIN Star chefs at Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau (GLP) will be a unique highlight of Inside Asian Gaming’s upcoming edition of Macau After Dark (MAD) at The Garden House on 7 July.
Fabiano Palombini, Head Chef at Don Alfonso 1890; Herlander Fernandes, Head Chef at Mesa by José Avillez; and Ken Chong Head Chef at Palace Garden will treat guests at MAD to some of the finest food in Macau – highlighting GLP’s growing reputation as a regional fine-dining leader.
Don Alfonso 1890 and Palace Garden were recognized in the recently released MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2026 with each receiving their first Michelin Star, while Mesa by José Avillez earned its first MICHELIN-selected designation.
Palace Garden also retained its one-diamond status in the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide 2026.
The venue for MAD, The Garden House, is a one-of-a-kind, picturesque event venue in Macau, where the timeless elegance of Neoclassicism meets the poetic serenity of a garden setting. Bathed in joyful natural light, each space seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor living, opening onto its own private courtyard garden that leads to the enchanting Jardim Secreto – creating an immersive “dual indoor-outdoor garden” experience. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows draw lush greenery indoors, while signature jade green marble and decorative treillage latticework lend the space a distinctive character and sense of cohesion, beautifully complemented by delicate floral arrangements and botanical-patterned accents – forming a setting where nature and design exist in perfect harmony.
Designed with exceptional versatility and functionality, The Garden House comprises three beautifully appointed spaces – Lotus, Rose and Peony – ranging from 180 to 480 square metres. From intimate gatherings of 24 guests to grand celebrations of up to 400, each space features thoughtfully planned layouts with clear breakout configurations, built-in LED screens and adjoining VIP suites. A lounge-styled pre-function foyer warmly welcomes guests with a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. The Lotus room can also be divided into two separate venues, offering enhanced flexibility to suit diverse event formats.
Conceived as a natural extension of the enchanting Jardim Secreto, The Garden House brings together the vibrancy of a garden setting and the comfort of a fully sheltered space – ensuring every celebration unfolds beautifully, whatever the weather. Elegant yet wonderfully adaptable, it is ideal for a wide spectrum of occasions – from weddings and private celebrations to product launches, children’s parties and bespoke events of every kind. With its warm ambiance, flexible design and seamless connection to nature, it transforms every gathering into an extraordinary experience beyond imagination.
ABOUT THE CHEFS
Fabiano Palombini, Head Chef at Don Alfonso 1890: Hailing from Southern Italy and with more than 35 years dedicated to Italian gastronomy, Chef Fabiano has showcased his mastery in some of the world’s most prestigious MICHELIN-starred kitchens in Italy, Belgium, Germany and the United States. He once achieved a notable milestone alongside celebrated Chef Marco Sacco, leading a restaurant to MICHELIN-selected recognition just six months after opening – earning widespread acclaim across the industry. After immersing himself in the world’s finest culinary scenes, his journey eventually brought him to Asia, where he has chosen to fully embrace his passion and call this vibrant region his second home.
Chef Fabiano continues to champion the “farm-to-table” philosophy, preserving classic Italian flavors while infusing modern creativity into time-honored recipes. He maintains close daily contact with Chef Ernesto Iaccarino and the Don Alfonso family in Italy, exchanging restaurant updates, recipe details and guest feedback. By combining premium ingredients from the family’s own Italian farm with the best local Macau produce, he brings the rich heritage of Southern Italian cuisine to life for diners. With dedication poured into every plate, Chef Fabiano strives to make every guest feel truly valued. He hopes to offer them a serene moment of escape from daily life – a memorable experience that leaves them eager to return and savor the soulful flavors of Southern Italy once again.
Herlander Fernandes, Head Chef at Mesa by José Avillez: Hailing from Cantanhede, a charming city in Portugal renowned for its delectable seafood and crispy suckling pig, Head Chef Herlander Fernandes’s culinary journey took a significant turn when he joined, where he discovered a remarkable alignment of values and a shared philosophy of dining. Together with the restaurant, their mission was clear – to serve the finest Portuguese dishes that beautifully embody tradition, quality and authenticity with a brilliant modern twist. Head Chef Fernandes annually travelled across Portugal, immersing himself in the finest culinary experiences, from upscale dining establishments to cozy local eateries. His ultimate goal is to elevate traditional recipes while ensuring utmost satisfaction for diners in Macau. To him, the greatest accomplishment lies in receiving positive feedback from guests.
Joining Mesa by José Avillez undoubtedly stands out as a career milestone for Head Chef Herlander. Inspired by the East-meets-West aesthetic at Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau, he wished to embody harmony and perfection in his culinary creations. Fueled by an unwavering passion, he remains committed to pushing boundaries and constantly elevating Macau’s Portuguese gastronomy to new heights.
Ken Chong, Head Chef at Palace Garden: Upon graduating from the Hong Kong Culinary Academy, Ken Chong became a chef and disciple of legendary Taishi cuisine Master Chef Lai Yau-Tim at Tim’s Kitchen, Hong Kong, in 2004. He then became Executive Head Chef of the China region for Tim’s Kitchen, opening and overseeing two branches in Shanghai, one in Chengdu and one in Shenzhen. Chef Chong thought he would remain in Shanghai, where he resided for 10 years, but when Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau offered him the opportunity to lead Palace Garden’s culinary brigade in Macau, he seized the chance to take his culinary career to even greater heights.
While Chef Chong is an advocate of upholding tradition, he also believes in breathing new life into extraordinary dishes that have been handed down since the Qing Dynasty. This is evident in his reinterpretation of palatial Cantonese dishes from the Qing Dynasty, which capture the authenticity of each dish with a contemporary twist. An excellent example is his Peony King Tiger Prawn dish. Fusing modern elements with the renowned traditional Taishi dish, the Peony King Tiger Prawn features top-quality Myanmar king tiger prawn, with its red “skins” delicately removed before being cooked to achieve a firm and slightly chewy texture. Resembling blooming peonies, the snow-white prawn is elevated with an accompanying sauce made from Italian red prawn and premium shrimp roe. This exquisite dish bursts with rich prawn flavor, making each bite a delight for the senses.
The upcoming edition of Macau After Dark represents the first time IAG has held a MAD event at GLP, located in the heart of Cotai.
Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM Resorts, S.A., said, “SJM is honored and delighted to welcome the industry to Macau After Dark at The Garden House, our newly unveiled banquet venue at Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau. Inspired by the charm of a French conservatory garden, the Garden House offers an exquisite setting that blends timeless elegance with natural beauty. Its seamless connection to Jardim Secreto’s lush outdoor gardens creates a truly enchanting experience, providing the perfect backdrop for an evening of meaningful conversation and connection among the finest minds in our industry. We look forward to creating an unforgettable evening for all our guests and the Inside Asian Gaming community.”
Debuting back in early 2019, MAD is a regular series of industry networking social events held in the Asian gaming hubs of Macau and Manila. Each MAD brings together key industry decision-makers with the people they want to meet in a relaxed and friendly environment.
The event rotates around the region’s best hospitality venues – some well-known and some hidden gems.
Due to its enormous popularity, MAD is strictly by invitation only. Invited guests must RSVP and be confirmed by having an event entry ticket on their phones. All guests must supply their business cards upon arrival. There is also a select VIP list for each event.
For sponsorship inquiries, please contact:
Jadeson Ho
+853 2875 2959
jh@asgam.com
Alex Coutinho
+853 6328 1757
alex@asgam.com
Caroline Iau
+853 2875 2959
ci@asgam.com
For event inquiries, please contact:
Dorothy Loi
+853 6802 1905
dorothy@asgam.com
