Michelle Garnaut

Melbourne-born Michelle Garnaut is a trained chef and restaurateur with a culinary career that spans over 25 years, several continents and positions that have ranged from waitress to chef to caterer and proprietor.

M at the Fringe
After traveling the world, Michelle arrived in Hong Kong (only intending a short stay) where she worked in the restaurant business and opened her own catering firm. She opened M at the Fringe in Hong Kong in 1989, which became a pioneer of independent fine dining.

Pioneer on the Bund
After a guest chef stint at The Peace Hotel in Shanghai in 1996, Michelle felt that Shanghai was ready for something similar, and in 1999 – when the rest of the Bund was a culinary desert – she opened M on the Bund on the historic waterfront. The first Glamour Room and Bar opened in 2001.

Cultural Events & Literary Festival
In 2002, the now-famous cultural events series was launched at the Glamour Bar, along with the enormously popular Shanghai International Literary Festival.  By 2006, the Glamour Bar moved to a bigger, better and even more glamorous space on the 6th floor.

Awards & Charity
For her achievements, Michelle has been honored with awards that include Entrepreneur of the Year (International Woman of Influence Awards) and the Business Entrepreneurial Award (ANZ Australian Business Awards). Michelle has had a long-term commitment to charity work, including ongoing involvement in the ICC Beach Cleanup, books2eat, and Care for Children.  She is currently working on The Village People project, targeted at improving the lives and health of women in rural China.