CANADA
Chaired by founding judge Lee Man, the Canada Taste Advisors Panel brings together 15 regional diners who live and dine where Chinese cuisine thrives. They are from diverse backgrounds, including food writers, healthcare professionals, finance professionals, and frequent dine, whose deep local insight defines each city’s scene—from Vancouver’s dim sum culture to Toronto’s late-night Sichuan and Calgary’s growing hotpot community.
Each advisor judges based on first-hand dining experiences within their own region, assessing the full spectrum of the meal—craft and provenance, service and hospitality, setting and cultural context—and recommending signature dishes that best capture a restaurant’s essence. The process remains independent and transparent: individual ballots, conflict-of-interest checks, full disclosures, and recusals. Together, their work celebrates the craftsmanship, diversity, and evolving identity of Chinese cuisine in Canada—honouring its traditions while highlighting the new voices shaping its future.
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With gratitude to this year’s Taste Advisors, whose participation made this list possible.
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Vancouver
Lee Man
Chair of Judging Panel – Canada, Food Critic and Founding Judge of Chinese Restaurant Awards
Lee Man, a founding judge of the Awards and a prominent food critic in Canada, has a deep passion for Chinese cuisine and for discovering outstanding signature dishes. His regular contributions to Vancouver Magazine and Montecristo Magazine, as well as features in Wine Access, Financial Times, and Time Out, showcase his devotion to the craft of dining. He has also shared his insight in interviews with The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Seattle Times, and Eater Online.
Vancouver
Bernice Chan
Freelance Journalist
Bernice Chan is a freelance journalist covering food, drink, lifestyle, and stories of the Chinese diaspora. She was formerly a Culture writer at the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong and co-host of the award-winning podcast Eat Drink Asia. Passionate about exploring both cuisine and the people behind it, Bernice brings depth, curiosity, and cultural insight to every story she tells.
Toronto
Carmen Chan
Radio Host, Sing Tao A1 Chinese Radio
Carmen Chan is a certified sake sommelier, wine enthusiast, and cocktail connoisseur, as well as an active food writer and restaurant critic. Passionate about exploring cultures through food and travel, she brings a refined and adventurous perspective to her work. As a host on Sing Tao A1 Chinese Radio in Canada, she has become a recognized voice in the culinary and lifestyle community, known for her expertise and insightful commentary.
Vancouver
Dr. Peter Chan
Dentist, Monarch Dental Centre
Raised in Canada with Hong Kong roots, Dr. Peter Chan is a passionate food enthusiast who finds joy in everything from curated fine dining to nostalgic comfort food. He has witnessed firsthand the evolution and growing influence of Chinese cuisine in Vancouver and beyond. For him, food is more than sustenance—it is a journey for the heart and soul, a bridge to culture, memory, and identity that connects people across generations.
Toronto
Johnny Cheng
CPA Accountant
Johnny Cheng is a Chartered Professional Accountant whose expertise lies in financial management and strategic planning. Beyond the numbers, he is an avid food enthusiast with a discerning palate, bringing both analytical precision and genuine passion to the judging panel.
Vancouver
Ling Chu
Food Critic, Fairchild Radio
Born and raised in Taiwan, Ling Chu is passionate about food, travel, and cultural exchange. With a discerning palate and extensive experience exploring diverse cuisines, she brings thoughtful insight and appreciation to her critiques. As a food critic for Fairchild Radio Vancouver, she is a recognized voice in the city’s dining scene.
Ottawa
Peter Hum
Restaurant Critic, Ottawa Citizen
Peter Hum is the restaurant critic at The Ottawa Citizen, the leading daily newspaper in Canada’s capital. A journalist at the paper since 1990, he has served as its restaurant critic since 2012. He has also written culinary travel features on destinations including Hong Kong, San Francisco, New Orleans, and Montreal, and is a contributor to Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list.
Toronto
Jennifer Kwan
Yelp Elite Reviewer
Jennifer Kwan is a Yelp Elite reviewer and frequent traveler who has been a prominent voice in the Greater Toronto Area dining scene. She was among the early reviewers to shape the Chinese food landscape in Markham and Scarborough, and served as a judge for the Chinese Restaurant Awards in Toronto more than a decade ago.
Vancouver
Tony Kwan
Partner, PLLR Lawyers
Tony Kwan is a partner at Richmond’s largest law firm and an active community leader, having chaired the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and the Richmond Sunset Rotary Club. Beyond law, he shares his passion for food, wine, and travel as a lifestyle columnist for the Richmond News and as the creator of the YouTube channels Trophy Wine Hunter, Trophy Food Experiences, and Trophy Travel Experiences.
Vancouver
Jacob Ung
Vice President, Canadian Liver Foundation – BC Chapter
Former marketing leader for global automotive brands, Jacob Ung is a lifelong learner with a passion for people and ideas. A seasoned traveller, he views dining as a full sensory journey that reflects culture and heritage. Now retired, he continues to explore the world through food while serving as Vice President of the Canadian Liver Foundation’s BC Chapter, advancing its mission in liver health.
And Frequent diners in different regions
David Cheng, Vancouver @davidfoodiesnightout
Patricia Lau, Calgary @miss_foo
Jessica Leung, Vancouver
Charlene Liu, Vancouver
Victor Yu, Montreal @randomcuisine
Wild Mushrooms, Water Chestnut Dumplings
— MOTT 32, Toronto & Vancouver —
