{"id":1010706,"date":"2025-10-13T18:41:15","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T01:41:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chineserestaurantawards.com\/septstaging\/?page_id=1010706"},"modified":"2026-08-19T00:14:31","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T07:14:31","slug":"2025-canada-taste-advisors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chineserestaurantawards.com\/septstaging\/2025-canada-taste-advisors\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 CANADA – The Taste Advisors"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Chaired by founding judge Lee Man<\/strong>, the Canada Taste Advisors Panel<\/strong> brings together 15 regional diners who live and dine where Chinese cuisine thrives. They are from diverse backgrounds, including food writers, healthcare professionals, finance professionals, and frequent dine, whose deep local insight defines each city\u2019s scene\u2014from Vancouver\u2019s dim sum culture to Toronto\u2019s late-night Sichuan and Calgary\u2019s growing hotpot community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Each advisor judges based on first-hand dining experiences within their own region, assessing the full spectrum of the meal\u2014craft and provenance, service and hospitality, setting and cultural context\u2014and recommending signature dishes that best capture a restaurant\u2019s essence. <\/span>The process remains independent and transparent: individual ballots, conflict-of-interest checks, full disclosures, and recusals. Together, their work celebrates the craftsmanship, diversity, and evolving identity of Chinese cuisine in Canada\u2014honouring its traditions while highlighting the new voices shaping its future.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_btn title=”THE AWARDS STANDARDS” style=”outline-custom” outline_custom_color=”#ffffff” outline_custom_hover_background=”#4387fb” outline_custom_hover_text=”#ffffff” align=”left” css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fchineserestaurantawards.com%2Fseptstaging%2Fthe-awards-standards%2F|title:The%20Awards%20Standards”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”100px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row gap=”10″ bg_type=”image” parallax_style=”vcpb-default” bg_image_new=”id^1006674|url^https:\/\/chineserestaurantawards.com\/septstaging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/iron-grip-1920×1080-1.png|caption^null|alt^null|title^iron-grip-1920×1080|description^null” bg_image_repeat=”repeat-y” bg_image_size=”initial” bg_override=”ex-full”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]\n

\u2014<\/div>\n
With gratitude to this year\u2019s Taste Advisors, whose participation made this list possible.<\/em><\/div>\n
\u2014<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner gap=”25″][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”1010713″ img_size=”full” css_animation=”scaleOutIn” css=””][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInUp” css=”.vc_custom_1760401284055{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”]\n
Vancouver<\/span><\/div>\n
Lee Man<\/span><\/h5>\n
Chair of Judging Panel \u2013 Canada,<\/strong> Food Critic and Founding Judge of Chinese Restaurant Awards<\/div>\n
Lee Man, a founding judge of the Awards and a prominent food critic in Canada, has a deep passion for Chinese cuisine and for discovering outstanding signature dishes. His regular contributions to Vancouver Magazine<\/em> and Montecristo Magazine<\/em>, as well as features in Wine Access<\/em>, Financial Times<\/em>, and Time Out<\/em>, showcase his devotion to the craft of dining. He has also shared his insight in interviews with The New York Times<\/em>, Los Angeles Times<\/em>, Seattle Times<\/em>, and Eater Online<\/em>.<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”1010707″ img_size=”full” css_animation=”scaleOutIn” css=””][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInUp” css=”.vc_custom_1760401361214{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”]\n
Vancouver<\/span><\/div>\n
Bernice Chan<\/span><\/h5>\n
Freelance Journalist<\/div>\n
Bernice Chan is a freelance journalist covering food, drink, lifestyle, and stories of the Chinese diaspora. She was formerly a Culture writer at the South China Morning Post<\/em> in Hong Kong and co-host of the award-winning podcast Eat Drink Asia<\/em>. Passionate about exploring both cuisine and the people behind it, Bernice brings depth, curiosity, and cultural insight to every story she tells.<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”1010708″ img_size=”full” css_animation=”scaleOutIn” css=””][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInUp” css=”.vc_custom_1760401395498{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”]\n
Toronto<\/span><\/div>\n
Carmen Chan<\/span><\/h5>\n
Radio Host, Sing Tao A1 Chinese Radio<\/div>\n
Carmen Chan is a certified sake sommelier, wine enthusiast, and cocktail connoisseur, as well as an active food writer and restaurant critic. Passionate about exploring cultures through food and travel, she brings a refined and adventurous perspective to her work. As a host on Sing Tao A1 Chinese Radio in Canada, she has become a recognized voice in the culinary and lifestyle community, known for her expertise and insightful commentary.<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner gap=”25″][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”1010709″ img_size=”full” css_animation=”scaleOutIn” css=””][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInUp” css=”.vc_custom_1760401483451{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”]\n
Vancouver<\/span><\/div>\n
Dr. Peter Chan<\/span><\/h5>\n
Dentist, Monarch Dental Centre<\/div>\n
Raised in Canada with Hong Kong roots, Dr. Peter Chan is a passionate food enthusiast who finds joy in everything from curated fine dining to nostalgic comfort food. He has witnessed firsthand the evolution and growing influence of Chinese cuisine in Vancouver and beyond. For him, food is more than sustenance\u2014it is a journey for the heart and soul, a bridge to culture, memory, and identity that connects people across generations.<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”1010712″ img_size=”full” css_animation=”scaleOutIn” css=””][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInUp” css=”.vc_custom_1760401559660{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”]\n
Toronto<\/span><\/div>\n
Johnny Cheng<\/span><\/h5>\n
CPA Accountant<\/div>\n
Johnny Cheng is a Chartered Professional Accountant whose expertise lies in financial management and strategic planning. Beyond the numbers, he is an avid food enthusiast with a discerning palate, bringing both analytical precision and genuine passion to the judging panel.<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”1010714″ img_size=”full” css_animation=”scaleOutIn” css=””][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInUp” css=”.vc_custom_1760401571806{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”]\n
Vancouver<\/span><\/div>\n
Ling Chu<\/span><\/h5>\n
Food Critic, Fairchild Radio<\/div>\n
Born and raised in Taiwan, Ling Chu is passionate about food, travel, and cultural exchange. With a discerning palate and extensive experience exploring diverse cuisines, she brings thoughtful insight and appreciation to her critiques. As a food critic for Fairchild Radio Vancouver, she is a recognized voice in the city\u2019s dining scene.<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner gap=”25″][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”1010715″ img_size=”full” css_animation=”scaleOutIn” css=””][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInUp” css=”.vc_custom_1760401585063{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”]\n
Ottawa<\/span><\/div>\n
Peter Hum<\/span><\/h5>\n
Restaurant Critic, Ottawa Citizen<\/div>\n
Peter Hum is the restaurant critic at The Ottawa Citizen<\/em>, the leading daily newspaper in Canada\u2019s capital. A journalist at the paper since 1990, he has served as its restaurant critic since 2012. He has also written culinary travel features on destinations including Hong Kong, San Francisco, New Orleans, and Montreal, and is a contributor to Canada\u2019s 100 Best Restaurants<\/em> list.<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”1010711″ img_size=”full” css_animation=”scaleOutIn” css=””][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInUp” css=”.vc_custom_1760401773458{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”]\n
Toronto<\/span><\/div>\n
Jennifer Kwan<\/span><\/h5>\n
Yelp Elite Reviewer<\/div>\n
Jennifer Kwan is a Yelp Elite reviewer and frequent traveler who has been a prominent voice in the Greater Toronto Area dining scene. She was among the early reviewers to shape the Chinese food landscape in Markham and Scarborough, and served as a judge for the Chinese Restaurant Awards in Toronto more than a decade ago.<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”1010716″ img_size=”full” css_animation=”scaleOutIn” css=””][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInUp” css=”.vc_custom_1760401801153{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”]\n
Vancouver<\/span><\/div>\n
Tony Kwan<\/span><\/h5>\n
Partner, PLLR Lawyers<\/div>\n
Tony Kwan is a partner at Richmond\u2019s largest law firm and an active community leader, having chaired the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and the Richmond Sunset Rotary Club. Beyond law, he shares his passion for food, wine, and travel as a lifestyle columnist for the Richmond News<\/em> and as the creator of the YouTube channels Trophy Wine Hunter<\/em>, Trophy Food Experiences<\/em>, and Trophy Travel Experiences<\/em>.<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner gap=”25″][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”1010710″ img_size=”full” css_animation=”scaleOutIn” css=””][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInUp” css=”.vc_custom_1760401829140{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”]\n
Vancouver<\/span><\/div>\n
Jacob Ung<\/span><\/h5>\n
Vice President, Canadian Liver Foundation \u2013 BC Chapter<\/div>\n
Former marketing leader for global automotive brands, Jacob Ung is a lifelong learner with a passion for people and ideas. A seasoned traveller, he views dining as a full sensory journey that reflects culture and heritage. Now retired, he continues to explore the world through food while serving as Vice President of the Canadian Liver Foundation\u2019s BC Chapter, advancing its mission in liver health.<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInUp” css=”.vc_custom_1760401993374{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-color: #eaeaea !important;}”]\n
\n

And Frequent diners in different regions<\/strong><\/p>\n

David Cheng, Vancouver @davidfoodiesnightout
\nPatricia Lau, Calgary @miss_foo
\nJessica Leung, Vancouver
\nCharlene Liu, Vancouver
\nVictor Yu, Montreal @randomcuisine<\/div>\n

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