About Chinese Restaurant Awards

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

Founded in Vancouver in 2008, the Chinese Restaurant Awards were created to recognize and celebrate excellence in Chinese cuisine. From the very beginning, the Awards set themselves apart by focusing not on opulent dining rooms or lavish décor, but on what truly matters whenever Chinese diners gather at the table: what to eat first.

The Awards began as a “Signature Dish” dining guide, introducing the wider public to Chinese cuisine through its most exceptional flavours. With this simple yet powerful belief—that the essence of appreciation begins with the dish itself—the Awards highlighted the artistry and diversity of regional traditions, inviting diners to discover Chinese cuisine in a way that felt both approachable and profound.

Today, the Awards serve as both a trusted dining guide and a cultural platform—showcasing the chefs, restaurants, and culinary visionaries shaping the future of Chinese gastronomy. From time-honoured masters to rising innovators, each honouree reflects a commitment to craft, heritage, and creative evolution.

What began in Vancouver has now grown to embrace not only all of Canada but also Asia, extending the Awards’ mission of honouring Chinese culinary excellence onto an international stage. This new chapter reflects a continued purpose: to celebrate talent, deepen understanding of Chinese cuisine’s richness and regionality, and invite the world to explore its stories and innovation.

Signature initiatives include the DINING by the Awards series, the Chinese Master Chefs Finale Gala, and the #TasteCity culinary tourism campaigns across China. Through these programs, the Chinese Restaurant Awards continue to foster cross-cultural dialogue and elevate one of the world’s great culinary traditions.

Craig Stowe

President & Co-founder

Craig Stowe, renowned for producing high-profile events such as Luxury & Supercar Weekend and Diamond Rally, co-founded the Chinese Restaurant Awards with food and wine expert Stephen Wong in 2008. Driven by a vision to elevate Vancouver’s Chinese culinary scene, Stowe began by collaborating with esteemed critics to ensure thoughtful and credible recognition of excellence. His efforts have helped position Vancouver as a global destination for Chinese gastronomy, leaving a lasting impact both nationally and internationally.

Lee Man

Vice President, and Chair of Judging Panel - CANADA

Lee Man, a founding judge of the Awards and a prominent food critic in Canada, has a deep passion for Chinese cuisine and exploration of 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 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.

Agnes Chee

Chair of Judging Panel - ASIA

Agnes Chee lives a life steeped in gastronomy, travelling the world to savour its finest flavours. A full-time globetrotting food critic and writer, she has been a food columnist for the Hong Kong Economic Journal since 2013. Author of Vanishing Flavour of Cantonese Cuisine and World-Changing Flavours, she chronicles the tastes, traditions, and culinary journeys of master chefs, while bridging the global dining scene. A member of Travel + Leisure’s Tastemakers panel, she also curates gastronomy programmes and events for the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and recently appeared as guest host on TVB’s Food Critic’s Choice.

Rae Kung

Managing Director

Named one of Western Canada’s Top 10 Foodies by Western Living magazine in 2019, Rae Kung has long been dedicated to promoting Chinese cuisine through thoughtful programming and community engagement. She supports culinary talent by creating platforms that highlight chefs and their stories, and regularly connects with Chinese culinary professionals around the world to foster dialogue and collaboration. Her work reflects a genuine commitment to sharing the richness and evolution of Chinese food culture with a broader audience.

Amy Venhuizen

Managing Director

Amy Venhuizen built a career at the intersection of real estate development and lifestyle curation. As Director at Vancouver-based developer Sunwins, she oversaw projects ranging from planning and constructing high-rise towers with industry leaders to collaborating with notable talent to create distinctive dining, hospitality, and lifestyle experiences. Her global perspective was shaped by a lifelong passion for travel, while her roots trace back to Thunder Bay, Ontario, where she studied at Lakehead University.

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.

DISCOVER MORE

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 over 40 award winning and new wave 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 ), 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 2018, Hong Kong and Taipei in 2018, and Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou in 2019, further showcasing the rich diversity and evolving trends of Chinese cuisine.