Emily Lim ‘14

Chef and Founder, Dabao Singapore (San Francisco, CA)

Emily Lim '14 is the chef-owner and founder of Dabao Singapore, a San Francisco-based concept dedicated to sharing the flavors, stories, and cultural identity of Singaporean cuisine. A 2024 James Beard Award Emerging Chef semifinalist, Emily has also competed extensively on Food Network, appearing across eleven episodes and earning wins on Chopped and Guy’s Grocery Games, as well as competing on Beachside Brawl.

Emily began Dabao Singapore during the pandemic, initially cooking meals that brought a taste of home to fellow Singaporeans and others missing the food they grew up with. What began as a small meal-kit operation has since grown into a platform for celebrating Singapore’s multicultural food traditions and increasing the visibility of Singaporean cuisine in the United States.

Through Dabao, Emily’s work centers on cultural representation, preserving the stories behind Singaporean food, and creating opportunities for more people to understand the cuisine beyond its most familiar dishes. (Instagram: @em.limweiling @dabaosingapore) (LinkedIn: @chefemilylim)