By Anya Levykh

Today I attended the launch lunch for the 2011 HSBC Chinese Restaurant Awards. During our nine-course feast at Red Star Seafood Restaurant in Richmond, two new Critics’ Choice categories were announced, namely, Best Chinese Canadian Chef and Best Wine & Spirit Service. In the Diners’ Choice awards,
there is now a category for modern Chinese cuisine (think spots like
Wild Rice, Bao Bei, etc.) and, also new this year, diners are allowed to
actually nominate their favourite restaurants, as opposed to simply
choosing from a list. Nominations can be made starting today through to
October 5. The top 20 nominations will then be compiled to form the list
to be voted on by the public. Category voting will take place online
from October 6 through November 12 at www.votedinerschoice.com.

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