About Chinese Restaurant Awards

Discover the new visionaries of Chinese culinary excellence in Vancouver and across the globe.

Since 2008, the Chinese Restaurant Awards have proudly held the title of the world’s longest-running Chinese culinary restaurant awards event, dedicated to celebrating exceptional Chinese cuisine in Vancouver. Our mission goes beyond merely acknowledging excellence; we strive to foster cross-cultural culinary dialogue and enhance the appreciation of Chinese gastronomy’s global influence.

Our team, composed of passionate professionals from the food, media, and marketing sectors, is deeply committed to supporting the Chinese culinary scene and its talented chefs. We have achieved notable milestones through initiatives such as the DINING by the Awards series in 2019, 2022, and 2023, the Chinese Master Chefs Master Finale Gala in 2022, the 2016 East Meets West: Paris x Vancouver dining event, and the 2014 Chinese Master Chefs Gold Medal Dinner. Additionally, we have led impactful culinary tourism campaigns, including the #Taste city series in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Taipei.

We are dedicated to celebrating and elevating Chinese culinary excellence.

Craig Stowe

President & Co-founder

Craig Stowe, known for his expertise in high-profile events, co-founded the Chinese Restaurant Awards with Stephen Wong to promote Vancouver Chinese cuisine. He started from collaborating with top critics to ensure accurate recognition of culinary excellence, impacting Vancouver’s Chinese gastronomy on both national and international levels.

Rae Kung

Managing Director

Recognized as one of Western Canada’s Top 10 Foodies by Western Living Magazine in 2019 for her significant culinary influence, Rae Kung is dedicated to promoting Chinese cuisine through innovative programs. She is committed to supporting chef talent and sharing the rich culture of Chinese culinary art with a wider audience.

Lee Man

Chair of Judging Panel

Lee Man, a founding judge of the Awards and a prominent food critic in Vancouver, has a deep passion for Chinese cuisine. His regular contributions to Vancouver Magazine and Montecristo Magazine, as well as features in Wine Access, Financial Times, and Time Out showcase his love for food – and he has enthusiastically shared his knowledge with interviews in the New York Times, Los Angelese Times, Seattle Times and Eater Online.

Skill, creativity, and passion are essential for any great chef, but true mastery demands even more. Since its inception in 2013, the Chinese Master Chefs program has honored those who excel in their craft, uphold culinary traditions, and inspire the next generation. This prestigious initiative provides insight into the culinary journeys of these masters, offering emerging chefs the opportunity to learn from them and allowing the public to savor their exceptional signature dishes. Noteworthy events featuring the Vancouver and Asia Chinese Master Chefs include the prestigious Chinese Master Chef Gold Medal Dinner at Four Seasons Vancouver in 2014 and the Master Finale at Paradox Hotel Vancouver in 2022.

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Feast of Fortune

Scotiabank Feast of Fortune by St. Paul's Foundation

Since 2015, the Chinese Restaurant Awards has been a key partner of the Scotiabank Feast of Fortune, collaborating to support the crucial fundraising efforts of St. Paul’s Foundation. Over the years, the Awards have invited 46 chefs to contribute their culinary talents to this charity gala, demonstrating the chefs' dedication to community support. This partnership now aims to advance medical research at the new St. Paul’s Clinical Support and Research Centre on the Jim Pattison Medical Campus.

Feast of Fortune

DINING series

Chinese Master Chefs Gold Medal Dinner, East Meets West, DINING by the Awards

Since 2014, the Chinese Restaurant Awards has hosted its signature dining events: Chinese Master Chefs Gold Medal Dinner 2014, East Meets West (2016 Paris x Vancouver | Vancouver), DINING by the Awards(2018, 2019, 2022 New Wave | MASTERS Finale, and 2023). This series provides a dynamic platform for both established and emerging chefs from Vancouver and beyond to collaborate, exchange insights on Chinese cuisine, and explore innovative culinary possibilities. By fostering creative partnerships, DINING by the Awards enhances the dining experience and delves into the vast potential of Chinese cuisine.

Chinese Restaurant Awards Chinese Master Chefs Dining by the Awards Gala 首本名菜中華食肆大獎饗宴殿堂名廚

Taste City Series

Launched in 2017, the Taste City Series began with the Taste Hong Kong “TasteHKG” influencer contest, offering Canadian social media influencers an exclusive opportunity to meet visionaries of Chinese cuisine outside Canada and explore Hong Kong through a five-day journey featuring insider tastings and tours. The aim was to find an ambassador passionate about uncovering regional Chinese cuisine and Hong Kong’s dining trends. The inaugural winner, Emma Choo, shared her experiences online, connecting Canadian food and travel enthusiasts with a unique gastronomic adventure. The series expanded to include cities such as Hangzhou and Shanghai in 2017, Hong Kong and Taipei in 2018, and Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou in 2019, further showcasing the rich diversity and evolving trends of Chinese cuisine.