Malcolm Wood is a transformative figure in the food and beverage industry, known for his ground-breaking work with Maximal Concepts and its flagship restaurant brand, Mott 32. Alongside his business partner Matt Reid, Malcolm has spearheaded the creation of over 36 unique dining concepts in their impressive 20-year partnership. Mott 32, acclaimed for its innovative approach to Chinese cuisine, has made history as the first Chinese restaurant brand from Asia to franchise internationally, now boasting five global locations with six more on the horizon.
The Dubai location of Mott 32 exemplifies Malcolm’s commitment to merging luxury with authenticity. As the first Hong Kong restaurant to receive the prestigious World Interior of the Year award in collaboration with Joyce Wang Studio, Mott 32 Dubai stands as a testament to his vision. Malcolm’s influence extends beyond the culinary world into environmental advocacy and filmmaking, with notable projects such as “A Plastic Ocean” and “The Last Glaciers,” which tackle pressing global issues through compelling storytelling.
In this interview, we explore Malcolm Wood’s journey, his innovative approach to restaurant design and sustainability, and the impact of Mott 32 Dubai on the city’s vibrant dining scene.
Getting started in the restaurant biz
Food has always played a significant part in my life. I grew up surrounded by family who loved to cook—my Taiwanese grandmother used to prepare meals for our entire family every day, and my English grandfather taught me about farm-to-table cooking. Living in Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Canada, the US, and the UK exposed me to a wealth of Western and Asian culinary techniques, helping me to develop a broad palate and skill set.
When I met my lifelong business partner Matt Reid at university in England, it was a natural progression to move into the restaurant business. We’ve opened a wide variety of restaurants around the world, but the business really took off when we relocated to Hong Kong and founded Maximal Concepts.
Our biggest breakthrough came with the opening of our flagship restaurant brand, Mott 32, in Hong Kong. It is now an international franchise and the first luxury Chinese restaurant to be franchised from East to West. Since then, we have opened Mott 32 in Vancouver, Las Vegas, Singapore, Seoul, Bangkok, Cebu, and Dubai. Our ninth venue will open in Toronto in July, followed by Los Angeles, Scottsdale, Riyadh, Manila, Bali, and London in the next few years.
I am truly proud that we get to show the world that Chinese cuisine can stand alongside all international players, especially in these key gateway cities where Chinese cuisine is underrepresented and sometimes misunderstood as unsophisticated.
32 Mott Street, New York City
32 Mott Street was the epicentre of the area now known as Chinatown. Founded in 1891, the store originally sold groceries and silks, and was a crucial social hub, local store, post office, and banking centre, adapting to the needs of the Chinese community throughout history. It was the longest continuously operating store before it closed in 2003, following the events of 9/11, which led to the area being closed to all traffic and unable to sustain its revenue.
We wanted to keep this memory alive. Mott 32 pays homage to the long-standing history of East meets West and the dedication of the Chinese to integrate and build community in foreign lands. Just like 32 Mott Street, Mott 32’s goal is to bring Chinese culture, tradition, and culinary excellence to the world.
Mott 32 Hong Kong
When we opened the first branch in 2012, our vision was to create a luxury Chinese restaurant that offered authentic Chinese cuisine in a beautiful setting, complemented by an impressive mixology offering, a top-tier wine menu, and, of course, excellent service. At that time, there was nowhere you could experience all these factors in one place, even in Hong Kong.
The most popular dish, which continues to be our signature, is the 42-day Applewood Roasted Peking Duck. It embodies Mott 32’s ethos, passion, and dedication to our products. It represents the effort we put into creating all our unique dishes. We tried 30 types of duck to find the best one, experimented with dozens of woods for smoking, and used various recipes and cooking techniques to achieve the best result. It worked, making it the best Peking Duck in Hong Kong.
The brand’s evolution
The brand’s primary ethos has always remained the same: to embody Chinese culture and philosophy with modern recipes refined over generations, delivering Chinese fine cooking as it should be—authentic with a modern touch, built on sustainable values.
We are constantly striving to cater to all diners and taste buds. Mott 32’s plant-based menu, featuring a wide selection of vegetarian-friendly dishes, is a testament to that. We have also removed all single-use plastics in our front-of-house operations across all restaurants to support a reduction in plastic pollution.
Each new venue maintains our original vision of serving authentic Chinese cuisine within an award-winning interior that combines traditional Chinese culture with local culture, while retaining our edge of New York industrial design.
The brand has evolved to be flexible and adaptable to international markets. Our team, many of whom have been with us from the start, are highly experienced in implementing and integrating our unique brand into local markets.
Challenges and rewards of taking Mott 32 international
The biggest challenge in taking Mott 32 internationally is food sourcing. It’s crucial for us to be sustainable and purchase as locally as possible, but it can be extremely challenging to find traditional Chinese ingredients or suitable alternatives that match our flavour profiles in some locations. Our culinary team works diligently with local teams to ensure the quality of our food remains consistent worldwide.
Our greatest reward has been expanding our concept into new markets where people fall in love with Chinese cuisine and realise it is so much more than just fried wontons and noodles!
The design
Design is a crucial factor in the success of a restaurant, particularly one like Mott 32. Drawing from our extensive experience in design, wine, mixology, music, and ambience, we have integrated elements that reflect both Hong Kong’s culture and my own background—being half-Chinese and half-British. Mott 32 represents a fusion of cultures and heritage.
When we launched our first branch in 2012, our vision was to establish a luxurious Chinese restaurant that not only offered an authentic take on Chinese cuisine but also created a feel-good ambience and environment. Collaborating with designer Joyce Wang for the interiors, we aimed to craft a space where guests could enjoy an exceptional curated mixology menu, a top-tier wine selection, and impeccable service—all under one roof.
The menu
We try to tell a new story with each Mott 32 and create a unique narrative. We like our concepts to be in-depth. Our consistency in design comes from our partnership with Joyce Wang Studio, who designed the original Mott 32 in Hong Kong, as well as those in Vancouver and Las Vegas. For each new location, we embrace new challenges and seek fresh creative angles. Each venue is customised according to its location, incorporating locally sourced products and regional flavours. The menu is then adapted to local tastes and preferences.
Mott 32 Dubai
We look for an outstanding partner first and foremost. When we met Sunset Hospitality, our two groups’ ethos aligned perfectly, and the rest is history.
Since its inception, Mott 32 Dubai has garnered significant acclaim in the culinary realm. We are honoured to have received prestigious awards such as the Toque Award in Gault & Millau 2023 and a coveted spot in The Michelin Guide Dubai 2023. Additionally, our restaurant’s design excellence was recognised with the 2023 Restaurant & Bar Design Award by Joyce Wang Studio, and we were named Best Chinese Restaurant at the Fact Dining Awards 2023. Mott 32 Dubai was also highly commended in the Independent Restaurant Team of the Year – Fine Dining category at the Caterer Middle East Awards 2023. These achievements underscore our commitment to delivering exceptional dining experiences and setting new standards in the industry.
We approach Chinese cuisine in Dubai with a unique perspective that sets us apart from traditional Chinese restaurants. Rather than focusing on a specific regional culinary style like Szechuan or Cantonese, Mott 32 integrates flavours from across China into a single menu, breaking away from industry conventions. Mott 32 isn’t just a dining destination; it’s an immersive experience designed to captivate guests from arrival to departure. Every detail, from the ambience and music to the aromas, beverages, and cuisine, is meticulously curated to enhance the overall dining experience.
Central to our philosophy is a deep passion for food coupled with a commitment to environmental stewardship. We continuously evolve and refine our sustainability initiatives as part of our global mission. Each new location provides valuable insights that we integrate back into our operations worldwide, ensuring Mott 32 remains at the forefront of evolving global perspectives. This adaptability is essential for our ongoing success and ensures we stay relevant amidst changing culinary trends and guest preferences.
Most valuable lesson learned
If you don’t occasionally stop to reflect on and draw conclusions from past experiences, you aren’t learning. One of the crucial aspects of being an entrepreneur is making mistakes and taking risks; this is how you learn and grow. We have made many mistakes, and understanding why things have worked is important for guiding our future direction.
