(CNN) — On October 11, Singapore foodies woke up to one of the darkest culinary announcements the vibrant dining city has witnessed in recent times.
"I wish to kindly return my Michelin stars and also request not to be included in the 2018 edition of the Michelin Guide," says Chiang in a letter to the press, in which he announced his decision to "prioritize" his "professional life".
Chiang sent this email at 3:44 a.m., just hours after he celebrated his restaurant's seventh anniversary.
As if that alone was not enough, the feted chef also announced that February 14, 2018, would be the last day of service at Restaurant Andre.
Chiang's surprise move sent shockwaves through the world of gastronomy.
Culinary world shocked
"In his house, I had one of the best meals in recent years, it is a sad day for the gastronomic world but we love him and support him."
"Honestly, I want him to stay, it's a big loss to the culinary scene in Singapore," he says.
Chiang, famed for creating the eight-spoked Octaphilosophy-guided menu at Restaurant Andre, trained in France with chefs like Pierre Gagnaire and Joel Robuchon.
"I'm a perfectionist and for the past 30 years of my career, I've been looking for that unrealistic moment of perfection; three Michelin stars, World's 50 Best Restaurants," says Chiang, whose restaurant at Bukit Pasoh garnered two stars in Michelin's inaugural Singapore edition last year and again this year.
"When Restaurant Andre closes, I want to spend more time exploring my Taiwanese roots and understanding Taiwanese produce," says chef Andre Chiang.
"Until now, I realized at this moment that it is as perfect as it is now," says the 41-year-old Taiwan native.
Chiang says everything -- from his team and the starched table linens to the height of the candle glow at every table -- is as immaculate as he has hoped for.
Beneath this picture of perfection, however, the industry has been abuzz with chatter about Chiang's disappointment at not clinching the third Michelin star that he's been widely tipped to earn this year.
But the chef disputes it.
"My decision to close Restaurant Andre is not related to any awards," says Chiang, who owns one of the most extensive collections of the Michelin Guide France (from 1960 to the most recent edition) in Singapore.
"I do not have to prove anything to anyone."
"Exploring my Taiwanese roots"
He also respectfully requested that RAW not be included in Michelin's future guide for Taipei.
"It...
Read More: Singapore's top restaurant returns Michelin stars, will shut down