Matt Abergel

Matt Abergel is the co-owner and executive chef of Yardbird and Always Joy. At the start of his career, Matt worked in Japanese kitchens across Canada before moving to New York City to work under renowned chef Masayoshi Takayama at Masa. In 2009, Matt relocated to Hong Kong as the executive chef of Zuma, where the city's vibrant food culture inspired him to open his own restaurant. In 2011, he and his business partner Lindsay Jang launched Yardbird, a modern izakaya specializing in chicken yakitori.

In 2013, Matt and Lindsay opened their second restaurant, Ronin — a dining bar focused on market-fresh ingredients and Japanese beverages. Both Yardbird and Ronin have appeared on the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list. After 12 years, Ronin closed in March 2025, giving way to Always Joy, Matt and Lindsay's newest collaboration. Beyond Hong Kong, Matt serves as culinary director of Honeycomb HiFi in Dubai and has participated in over 30 international pop-ups around the world.

Beyond the kitchen, Matt co-founded Flagrant Sauce, a hot sauce brand, and launched Shinogi, a professional knife storage system a decade in the making — built on practical experience from years of professional kitchen work. In 2019, his book Chicken and Charcoal won a James Beard Award for best book in the restaurant and professional category.

Over the past 15 years, Yardbird Hong Kong has continued to evolve and gain recognition. In 2021, ten years after its opening, the restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star. This prestigious accolade has been maintained, further solidifying Yardbird's status as one of Hong Kong's culinary destinations.

Through his innovative approach to traditional Japanese cuisine and his commitment to quality ingredients, Matt has established himself as a leading figure in the global culinary scene.