{"id":76,"date":"2008-10-21T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2008-10-21T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2015-11-02T10:31:38","modified_gmt":"2015-11-02T18:31:38","slug":"1stannualawards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chineserestaurantawards.com\/archives\/1stannualawards\/","title":{"rendered":"1st Annual Awards for Excellence in Chinese Cuisine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<p>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt; color: #800000\"><b>Edgewater Casino CHINESE RESTAURANT AWARDS 2009<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 8pt\"><br \/>\n<b>Critics&rsquo; Choice Awards &ndash; Best Signature Dish <br \/>\nDiners&rsquo; Choice Awards &ndash; Best Restaurants<\/b><br \/>\nPresented on Thursday, January 15th, 2009<br \/>\nEdgewater Casino, Plaza of Nations, Vancouver, BC<\/span><br \/>\n\n<\/p>\n<div align=\"justify\">\n<a href=\"index.php?option=com_staticxt&amp;staticfile=newsflash.php&amp;read=57\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-size: 8pt\"><span><span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\">R<\/span>estaurant critics from around the globe have recognized Vancouver as the best city in the world, outside of China, to eat Chinese food. Publications from the New York Times to Gourmet Magazine, in their acknowledgment of the Asian dining scene, are quoted as saying Vancouver rivals even New York and San Francisco. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a> \n<\/div>\n<p>\n<a href=\"\/CRAmedia\/CRA2009_PR_engOct21.doc\" target=\"_blank\"><b>download<\/b> english press release in word format<\/a>\n<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\">\n<a href=\"\/CRAmedia\/CRAPC1021a.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"images\/stories\/CRAPC1021alow.jpg\" alt=\"CRAPC1021alow.jpg\" title=\"CRAPC1021alow.jpg\" style=\"margin: 5px; float: left; width: 400px; height: 225px\" align=\"left\" height=\"225\" width=\"400\" \/><\/a>\n<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\">\n&nbsp;\n<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\">\n&nbsp;\n<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\">\n&nbsp;\n<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\">\n&nbsp;\n<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\">\n&nbsp;\n<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\">\n&nbsp;\n<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\">\n&nbsp;\n<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\">\n&nbsp;\n<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\">\n&nbsp;\n<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\">\n&nbsp;\n<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\">\n<b><i>Director of Chinese Restaurant Awards &amp; the Judging Panel at press conference on Oct 21, 2008 <\/i><\/b>\n<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\">\n<i><b>From the left: <\/b>Stephen Wong(Chair of Judging Panel), Stephanie Yuen(Judge), Craig Stowe(Director of CRA), Conrad Leung(Judge), Lee Man(Judge) &amp; Bensan Bo On Li(Judge).<span style=\"color: #800000\"> <\/span><\/i>\n<\/p>\n<div align=\"justify\">\n<span style=\"color: #800000\"><i>For more high resolution photos, please contact Cate Simpson&nbsp; &#8211; 604-730-9626 <a href=\"mailto:simpsoncpr@telus.net\" target=\"_self\">simpsoncpr@telus.net<\/a><\/i><\/span>\n<\/div>\n<p align=\"justify\">\n&nbsp;\n<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\">\n<span style=\"font-size: 8pt\">An esteemed panel of acknowledged experts in the cuisine of China were brought together to look at how best to acknowledge and rate the cuisine of Lower Mainland Chinese restaurants and it was decided that the awards would be given in the same way the Chinese community chooses a restaurant, by <b>what <\/b>to eat, rather than <b>where<\/b> to eat. <b>The &ldquo;Signature Dish&rdquo;<\/b> <\/p>\n<p>Unlike other dining experiences, Chinese restaurants are rated on their cuisine, rather than d&eacute;cor and service. Whilst important, <b>it is the cuisine of a restaurant that drives their popularity, more specifically a particular dish, or signature dish.<\/b> Asian diners choose a certain restaurant for their fresh King Crab, their noodles, method of preparing fish, or in a wider category, the Dim Sum.<\/p>\n<p>In a break from traditional restaurant awards, it was a list of the restaurants top dishes that was chosen as the starting off point, rather than a list of restaurants. Even this was a difficult choice. From the hundreds of famous dishes in the cuisine of China, 25 dishes were chosen and the search for a restaurant that best prepared this dish began.&nbsp; <br \/>\n<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<div align=\"justify\">\n<b><span style=\"font-size: 8pt\">On Thursday, January 15th, 2009, winning Chinese restaurants will be invited to attend the first annual Chinese Restaurants Awards at Stadium Club in Edgewater Casino, fittingly located at the Plaza of Nations, in Vancouver. There, in an afternoon ceremony, the Critics&rsquo; Choice for the best of 25 dishes, &ldquo;Signature Dish&rdquo; will be handed out to the winning restaurants from throughout the Lower Mainland.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 8pt\">Also included in the awards will be the <span style=\"font-size: 10pt\"><b>Diners&rsquo; Choice Awards<\/b><\/span>, a category open to the general public. In recognition of the knowledgeable dining habits of all Vancouverites, this category, offered in both Chinese and English, will allow the dining public to share their valued opinion on the best locations for Chinese cuisine. With many non-Chinese growing up in Vancouver on Dim Sum lunches, family dinners in Chinese restaurants and favourite dishes, it was important to hear from all those who call Vancouver home. Starting October 21, the dining public will be invited to vote on line by registering at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.VoteDinersChoice.com\" target=\"_self\">www.VoteDinersChoice.com<\/a> . Ten members of the general public will also have a chance to win dinner for six at any one of the winning Diner&rsquo;s Choice restaurants as well as 2 tickets to the awards ceremony in January.&nbsp;&nbsp; Winners will be announced on the website in mid December. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 8pt\">The Chinese restaurant industry and high quality of Chinese dining is a driving force in the BC tourism business. Vancouver&rsquo;s success as a top destination of choice by Chinese travelers is greatly enhanced by its wide selection of high quality restaurants. By publishing a list of both critics&rsquo; choice and diners&rsquo; choice winners, the Chinese Restaurant Awards will also serve as a guide to locals and all visitors as where to find the best Chinese cuisine in the region.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\"><b>The Judging Panel<\/b><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 8pt\">We thank our esteemed panel of acknowledged experts in the cuisine of China that chose the categories. From there a smaller group was sent out to judge the specific dishes. They were: <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<span style=\"font-size: 8pt\"><span style=\"color: #800000\">Stephen Wong (Chairman of Judging Panel) &#8211; Cookbook author; Food journalist; Food and Beverage consultant <br \/>\nB.C. Lee &ndash; Vancouver Councilor<br \/>\nConrad Leung &ndash; Department Head, Asian Culinary Program, Vancouver Community College<br \/>\nBensan Li &#8211; CBC Radio Canada International&#8217;s Chinese Program Host; Vice Chairman of Vancouver Film &amp; Television<br \/>\nLee Man &#8211; Food journalist, Vancouver Magazine<br \/>\nIris Yim &#8211; Food Editor, Ming Pao Daily <br \/>\nStephanie Yuen &ndash; Food Journalist; Chief Editor, Best Choice Food Magazine <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\"><b><span style=\"color: #000000\">The Criteria<\/span><\/b><\/span><br \/>\nNominations were based on taste, presentation and creative use of key ingredients as well as the use of local and in season, ingredients. Restaurants were nominated in each of the 25 categories. One winner will be awarded in each category to receive &ldquo;The Critics&rsquo; Choice Award &ndash; Signature Dish&rdquo; <br \/>\n<b><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\"><br \/>\nSignature Dishes<\/span><\/b><br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #800000\">1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Crab <br \/>\n2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; King Crab <br \/>\n3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Shrimp&nbsp; <br \/>\n4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lobster&nbsp;&nbsp; <br \/>\n5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Cantonese\/Hong Kong-style Dim Sum <br \/>\n6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Northern\/Shanghai-style Dim Sum&nbsp; <br \/>\n7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Congee <br \/>\n8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Noodles &amp; Rice <br \/>\n9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Chinese Dessert <br \/>\n10.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Innovative Dish <br \/>\n11.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Chinese Pastry <br \/>\n12.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Barbecue <br \/>\n13.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Soup&nbsp;&nbsp; <br \/>\n14.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Fish <br \/>\n15.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Geoduck <br \/>\n16.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Scallops <br \/>\n17.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Clam <br \/>\n18.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Cold Appetizers <br \/>\n19.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Pork <br \/>\n20.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Beef <br \/>\n21.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lamb\/goat\/mutton <br \/>\n22.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Chicken <br \/>\n23.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Duck <br \/>\n24.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Squab <br \/>\n25.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Vegetarian<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\"><b>Diner&rsquo;s Choice Awards<\/b><\/span><br \/>\nFrom October 21st to November 30, the dining public will be invited to vote on line at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.VoteDinersChoice.com\" target=\"_self\">www.VoteDinersChoice.com<\/a>  for their favourite restaurants under the following categories:<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #800000\">1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Best Dim Sum Restaurant&nbsp; <br \/>\n2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Best Cantonese Restaurant&nbsp; <br \/>\n3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Best Northern Chinese Restaurant&nbsp; <br \/>\n4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Best Hot Pot Restaurant<br \/>\n5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Best Taiwanese Restaurant \/ Bubble Tea Caf&eacute;&nbsp; <br \/>\n6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Best HK Style Caf&eacute; <br \/>\n7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Best Noodle Soup Restaurant&nbsp; <br \/>\n8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Best Congee Restaurant&nbsp; <br \/>\n9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Best Chinese Bakery Shop&nbsp; <br \/>\n10.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Best BBQ Shop \/ Restaurant<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Award presentation of the Diner&rsquo;s Choice Awards will also take place on January 15, 2009.<\/p>\n<p><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 8pt; color: #800000\"><u><b>Edgewater Casino CHINESE RESTAURANT AWARDS 2009: SPONSORS<\/b><\/u><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 8pt\"><\/p>\n<p><b>Title Sponsor:<\/b> Edgewater Casino<br \/>\n<b>Premium Sponsors:<\/b> MCL Motor Cars &#8211; Bentley &amp; MCL Motor Cars&ndash; Porsche, Chivas Regal Scotch, Tiger Beer<br \/>\n<b>Media Sponsors:<\/b> CBC Television; CBC Radio One; Ming Pao Daily News<br \/>\n<b>Trade Sponsors:<\/b> AMR Distributors&rsquo; Camilla Tea Oil; Aroma Tea House; BC Seafood Alliance; Island Scallops Ltd.; Pagoda Brand Xiaoxing Rice Wine; Stile Wines; Guo Jiao 1573<br \/>\n<b>SUPPORTED BY:<\/b> TOURISM VANCOUVER<br \/>\n<b>OFFICIAL CRA 2009 &ldquo;SIGNATURE DISH&rdquo; MAGAZINE:<\/b> MingPao Friday Gourmet Supplement<\/p>\n<p>\n<i><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\"><b>Chinese Restaurant Awards (CRA)<\/b><\/span> is a not-for-profit organization made up of food &amp; marketing professionals. The goals are to recognize and promote Chinese culinary arts and culture and acknowledge the skill of local Chinese restaurateurs and chefs.&nbsp; Chinese Restaurant Awards highlights, rewards and celebrates the best of Chinese dining in the Lower Mainland.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <\/i><\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<br \/>\n<b>Press Contact:<\/b><br \/>\n<b>Western Media: <\/b>East West Communications &#8211; <b>Cate Simpson<\/b> &#8211; 604-730-9626 <a href=\"mailto:simpsoncpr@telus.net\" target=\"_self\">simpsoncpr@telus.net&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/a>  <br \/>\n<b>Chinese Media: <\/b>A Mindfuse Marketing &amp; Consulting Agency &#8211; <b>Rae Kung<\/b> &ndash; 778-829-6244 <a href=\"mailto:rae@justanotherreason.net?subject=CRA%20\/\/%20Press%20Inquiry\" target=\"_self\">rae@justanotherreason.net&nbsp;<\/a>   <br \/>\nCRA website: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ChineseRestaurantAwards.com\" target=\"_self\">www.ChineseRestaurantAwards.com<\/a> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br \/>\n<br \/>\n&nbsp;\n<\/p>\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Edgewater Casino CHINESE RESTAURANT AWARDS 2009 Critics&rsquo; Choice Awards &ndash; Best Signature Dish Diners&rsquo; Choice Awards &ndash; Best Restaurants Presented on Thursday, January 15th, 2009 Edgewater Casino, Plaza of Nations, Vancouver, BC Restaurant critics from around the globe have recognized Vancouver as the best city in the world, outside of China, to eat Chinese food. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4,17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-76","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","category-press-release","category-the-awards-2009"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chineserestaurantawards.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chineserestaurantawards.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chineserestaurantawards.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chineserestaurantawards.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chineserestaurantawards.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=76"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/chineserestaurantawards.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chineserestaurantawards.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=76"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chineserestaurantawards.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=76"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chineserestaurantawards.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=76"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}