BIO
Chef and Co-Owner of AYLA Upstairs Danvee Kwok brings a globally informed culinary perspective shaped by years spent cooking across Vancouver, the U.K. and Hong Kong. Deeply rooted in Cantonese culinary tradition, her style draws from French discipline, Japanese precision and a lifelong curiosity for layered, contemporary flavour.
Raised in a traditional Hong Kong family and influenced early by the rituals of shared meals and heritage cooking, Danvee approaches food with a strong sense of memory, balance and intention. Her dishes are refined yet expressive, built on technical precision while remaining warm, bold and deeply personal.
Since AYLA opened, her work has been widely celebrated in Toronto, with the restaurant named one of Toronto Life’s Best New Restaurants of 2025 and featured in Taste Toronto, Toronto Star, The Kit and Foodism.
