Lee Man

Bringing Canada’s Chinese Dining to the World

For nearly two decades, Lee Man has helped diners see the depth of Chinese cooking in Canada. As a food writer, judge and advocate, he has drawn attention to the chefs and restaurants whose work deserves a wider audience, often by making a recommendation or bringing people to the same table.

Raised in Vancouver, Lee later lived in Shanghai and Hong Kong and travelled extensively across North America and Asia. Those experiences shaped his appreciation of Chinese cuisine’s regional diversity and the skill behind everyday dishes. He approaches restaurants with curiosity and respect for the people who run them.

A founding judge of the Chinese Restaurant Awards in 2008, Lee went on to serve for many years as Judging Chair. Working alongside the Taste Advisors, he has helped shape the Awards’ selections and Dining Guide through restaurant visits, tastings and thoughtful discussion.

His advocacy also happens beyond the judging table. Lee has introduced visiting journalists and international culinary voices to Canadian Chinese restaurants, sharing the stories behind dishes and connecting them with chefs. These encounters have helped bring the country’s Chinese dining scene into a wider conversation.

The 2026 Canada Premier Visionary of the Year honour recognizes that sustained commitment. Lee remains a diner at heart, eager to find an unfamiliar restaurant, taste something new and understand the work behind it. His influence grows from that continuing interest in people and food, and from his willingness to share what he discovers.