A researched professional record. Inclusion does not confirm representation, availability or interest in a new project.
At a glance
Agustín Ferrando Balbi, chef-founder at Andō. Trained at BUE Trainers in Argentina, worked in Buenos Aires and New Orleans, then developed his career in Japan.[1] [2]
Cooking & identity
Japanese and Spanish references connect the chef’s family memories in a personal, narrative-led tasting menu.[1]
Why this profile is included
The Wana Yook two-city exchange and shared Signature Session show specific collaboration formats shaped by Balbi’s cross-cultural cooking.[3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
Recent developments
- 2026-10-27
Announced programme: Four kitchens and a Dutch bartender announced a joint menu and non-alcoholic pairings; the advertised twelve hands include the beverage contribution.[7]
Collaborations & guest appearances
4 collaboration projects · 4 within the two-year research window
Projects are deduplicated: multiple nights, venues or reports do not automatically become separate collaborations. Food-and-drink events and shared festival appearances are labelled by format.
Richard Ekkebus / Amber × Agustin Balbi / Andō × Antimo Maria Merone / Estro × Paulo Airaudo / Noi × Luigi Troiano / Noi × Bram Klinge / beverage pairing
Amber · Hong Kong
Scheduled date passed · announcement
Participants / partners
Richard Ekkebus / Amber · Agustin Balbi / Andō · Antimo Maria Merone / Estro · Paulo Airaudo / Noi · Luigi Troiano / Noi · Bram Klinge / beverage pairingFour kitchens and a Dutch bartender announced a joint menu and non-alcoholic pairings; the advertised twelve hands include the beverage contribution.[7]
Agustin Balbi / Andō × Chalee Kader / Wana Yook
Andō · Hong Kong
Scheduled date passed · announcement
Wana Yook · Bangkok
Scheduled date passed · announcement
Participants / partners
Agustin Balbi / Andō · Chalee Kader / Wana YookFire & Water connects contemporary Thai spice with Balbi’s seafood-led perspective in a two-city exchange.[6]
Five kitchens · Signature Session at Andō
Andō · Hong Kong
Scheduled date passed · announcement
Participants / partners
Agustin Balbi / Andō · Ryogo Tahara / logy · Florilège team · Hideaki Sato / Ta Vie · Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn / Le DuThe five-kitchen announcement names Andō, logy, Florilège, Ta Vie and Le Du. Participants remain those explicitly listed in the programme.[4] [5]
AMI Patisserie × Andō × Labyrinth
Tsudoi Dining Room, AMI Patisserie · Singapore
Scheduled date passed · announcement
Participants / partners
Makoto Arami / AMI Patisserie · Agustin Balbi / Andō · Han Liguang / LabyrinthThe ten-course dinner announcement connects Japanese pastry, Andō’s Japanese–Spanish influences and Han’s Singaporean cooking. Two seatings remain one project.[3]
Career & milestones
Recognition over time
Restaurant ratings and individual honours are listed separately. Editorial profiles are labelled as coverage.
- 2025
The Best Chef Awards Milan 2025 · Three Knives, a personal chef recognition.[9]
Sources & dates
Public evidence reviewed through 2 November 2026. Older projects are retained; private or undated engagements may be absent.
- thebestchefawards.com · ando-2 · Andō ↗Checked 2026-11-02
- MICHELIN · ando-1 · Andō ↗Checked 2026-11-02
- Spirited Asia · AMI Patisserie × Andō × Labyrinth · October 16, 2025 ↗Checked 2026-11-02
- theforksandspoons.com.hk · Leela × Sōma · India and Southeast Asia ↗Checked 2026-11-02
- mrem.bernama.com · Davide Garavaglia / Côte × Mitsuru Konishi / Plaisance × Mauro Colagreco · special appearance 26 March ↗Published 2026-03-06 · Checked 2026-11-02
- theforksandspoons.com.hk · Chalee Kader · career ↗Published 2026-09-18 · Checked 2026-11-02
- Tatler Asia · amber ando estro noi 2026 ↗Checked 2026-11-02
- Tatler Asia · ando-4 · Andō ↗Checked 2026-11-02
- thebestchefawards.com · estro-5 · Estro ↗Checked 2026-11-02