Celebrating the people shaping Chinese dining in America

Individual Awards 2026 UNITED STATES

The Chinese Restaurant Awards’ Individual Honours – United States recognize exceptional chefs and culinary leaders whose skill, creativity, vision and dedication are helping shape the evolving Chinese dining landscape across the country.

Selected by the U.S. Taste Advisors, the four honours celebrate transformative leadership, mastery that sets a benchmark, devotion to the timeless craft of dim sum, and emerging talent carrying Chinese gastronomy into its next chapter.

Together, the 2026 recipients reflect the many voices, traditions and new ideas driving the evolution of Chinese cuisine in the United States.

How the Awards Are Decided →Meet the U.S. Taste Advisors →

Chinese Restaurant Awards · 2026

Honouring culinary leadership

Four Individual Honours

One shared contribution to America

Vision · Mastery · Craft · Future

2026 Award Recipients

The people behind the progress

Four honours recognizing vision, mastery, craftsmanship and the future of Chinese gastronomy in the United States.

Premier Visionary of the Year

Brandon Jew

Honouring an individual whose contribution, leadership and vision have created meaningful change in Chinese dining while inspiring the industry’s next generation.

Discover Brandon Jew’s story →