Fête Chinoise is a cultural platform that aims to empower individuals to deepen the connection between identity and Chinese culture. Through a curated lens and critical thinking, we present meaningful stories, artful experiences, and inspiring products.
We celebrate, represent, elevate and move culture forward.
A new chapter in Vancouver's rich culinary dialogue is unfolding with the official opening of Haisan, an intimate 30-seat fine dining concept by Macau-born, Vancouver-raised Chef Steven Che. What began in 2021 as modest pop-up gatherings in friends' apartments has matured into a deeply personal 16-course tasting menu on Commercial Drive. At Haisan, a name formed by combining the Cantonese characters for ocean (海, hoi) and mountain (山, saan), Che offers a reflective, cohesive Chinese Pacific Northwest perspective that bridges heritage, memory, and local terroir.
Lin describes her work as a meeting of memory, the present moment and imagination. Rooted in Chinese artistic traditions and rigorous technique, her practice has also been shaped by years abroad, carrying her beyond inherited forms into a language of her own. “Memory belongs to a fixed past, while the contemporary is constantly changing. And I like change,” she says.
Haute couture fashion designer Phan Huy’s journey reads like a Cinderella story. From playing with curtain fabric in rural Vietnam to making history as the first and youngest Vietnamese designer to present at Paris Haute Couture Week, Phan Huy and CEO Steven Doan are redefining global style. In an exclusive interview with Fête Chinoise at Hong Kong Fashion Fest 2026, the duo shares the emotional inspiration behind their Blurred Boundaries collection, balancing creative soul with commercial wisdom, and their ambitious vision for Vietnamese couture on the world stage.
A restaurant can offer more than a meal: a livelihood, a connection to home, and a place to belong. In director Wen Muye’s 文牧野 Once Upon a Time in the Middle East《歡迎來龍餐館》, these familiar hopes take on new urgency when a Chinese chef’s fresh start abroad is interrupted by war. Starring Shen Teng 沈騰 as chef Xu Fu, the film follows a man who travels to the Middle East to repay his debts and support his family. Together with restaurant manager Ma Junsheng, he helps turn the struggling Dragon Restaurant into a flourishing business. When conflict reaches the city, however, the restaurant becomes a refuge, and Xu Fu must decide how much he is willing to risk for the community he has come to call his own.
Wine, in many ways, is fascinating because it has the ability to preserve the taste of time. When Eastern flavours meet Western vintages, culture and sentiment naturally begin to intertwine at the table, creating a dialogue that adds depth to every shared occasion.
We are sincerely grateful to celebrity wine expert Bernice Liu for sharing her thoughtful perspective with Fête Chinoise on pairing Chinese cuisine with wine during festive occasions. Through her refined sensibility, she invites us to rediscover culture through the lens of each dish and its accompanying wine pairing.
On September 14, 2026, Fête Chinoise hosted an intimate reception for 35 guests at Aera Restaurant at The Well, celebrating Fala Chen and the premiere of her directorial debut, Bloodline, at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film premiered earlier that morning at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto as part of TIFF’s Short Cuts Programme, with a hugely positive response from audience members. Following this important milestone, friends and members of the film gathered to continue the celebration.
On Sunday, September 13, 2026, the global film community gathered at Toronto’s iconic Fairmont Royal York Hotel for the eighth annual TIFF Tribute Awards. As the Toronto International Film Festival’s largest annual fundraiser, the gala celebrated remarkable contributions to screen storytelling while supporting year-round initiatives that broaden access to cinema and empower emerging artists.
On the evening of September 13th during the Toronto International Film Festival 2026, international film talents, industry leaders, and platform partners gathered at Malaparte at TIFF Lightbox for Hong Kong Night at TIFF 2026. The evening brought together global creators to celebrate Hong Kong cinema and its expanding footprint on the international stage.
Explore our editorial guide to the must-watch Chinese and Asian diaspora films at the Toronto International Film Festival 2026. Discover powerful stories of identity, family, and resilience starring Michelle Yeoh, Zhou Xun, Fan Bingbing, Shuhua Yeh, and more.
Set against the sweeping backdrop of Victoria Harbour at the Rosewood Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Fashion Fest Gala 2026 brought together international designers, cultural icons, and stars like Stephanie Au, Irene Kim, and Elva Ni. From the "10 Asian Designers to Watch" showcase to a spellbinding performance by the Hong Kong Ballet costumed by Robert Wun, Fête Chinoise takes you on the ground for an unforgettable evening celebrating Asian design mastery.
From honing her craft under Vera Wang to launching her own atelier, Hong Kong fashion designer Vivian Luk embodies creative evolution and resilience. Discover the Toronto-raised couturier’s journey, her signature draping techniques, and her latest "Enchanted" collection unveiled at Hong Kong Fashion Fest 2026’s VIRTUOSE showcase.
Haute couture fashion designer Phan Huy’s journey reads like a Cinderella story. From playing with curtain fabric in rural Vietnam to making history as the first and youngest Vietnamese designer to present at Paris Haute Couture Week, Phan Huy and CEO Steven Doan are redefining global style. In an exclusive interview with Fête Chinoise at Hong Kong Fashion Fest 2026, the duo shares the emotional inspiration behind their Blurred Boundaries collection, balancing creative soul with commercial wisdom, and their ambitious vision for Vietnamese couture on the world stage.
As the only Canadian media outlet invited to Hong Kong’s 3rd annual Fashion Fest, Fête Chinoise offers an exclusive, on-the-ground look at “Rhythm Of The Heart.” From grand couture showcases at the Hong Kong Palace Museum and dynamic citywide pop-ups to CENTRESTAGE, sustainable menswear exhibitions, and the star-studded Gala, discover how Hong Kong is redefining its role as a premier international hub for global fashion, culture, and design.
Set against the sweeping backdrop of Victoria Harbour at the Rosewood Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Fashion Fest Gala 2026 brought together international designers, cultural icons, and stars like Stephanie Au, Irene Kim, and Elva Ni. From the "10 Asian Designers to Watch" showcase to a spellbinding performance by the Hong Kong Ballet costumed by Robert Wun, Fête Chinoise takes you on the ground for an unforgettable evening celebrating Asian design mastery.
From honing her craft under Vera Wang to launching her own atelier, Hong Kong fashion designer Vivian Luk embodies creative evolution and resilience. Discover the Toronto-raised couturier’s journey, her signature draping techniques, and her latest "Enchanted" collection unveiled at Hong Kong Fashion Fest 2026’s VIRTUOSE showcase.
"Wear’s HK" brings 20 of Hong Kong’s most compelling fashion designers to six iconic shopping hotspots—including Harbour City, ifc mall, Harvey Nichols and more. From the gender-neutral tailoring of DEMO and PONDER.ER to the exquisite couture of KEV YIU and Natacha Van, explore how these homegrown talents are redefining modern Asian fashion.
Hong Kong Fashion Fest 2026 kicked off its third annual edition with VIRTUOSE: The Artistry of Couture at the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Set against a dramatic, crimson-swathed foyer, four visionary designers from Hong Kong, Spain, and Vietnam came together in a vibrant creative exchange, redefining modern haute couture through traditional craftsmanship and cultural storytelling.
The Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards was held in Montreal for the first time on April 23, 2026, honouring RVNG, École de Pensée, Coco Rocha, and Ashley Galang alongside Canada’s leading designers and creatives in fashion, beauty, and styling.
The 2026 Signature Event Silent Auction is now live! Whether you’re attending the Signature Event or joining us in spirit from afar, everyone is welcome to place a bid. Discover an exciting selection of prizes, including luxurious hotel stays, access to captivating performances, exclusive hospitality packages, art collectibles, beauty and fashion items, and exceptional culinary experiences.
Proceeds from the Silent Auction will support the Fête Chinoise Cultural Foundation, Chinese Canadian Museum (Vancouver), and the Scarborough Health Network Birchmount Tower.
Every special moment deserves a look that feels effortless, stylish, and a little unforgettable. From sun-drenched garden parties to sparkling evening soirées, this chapter brings you curated outfits, accessories, and styling tips to help you shine with confidence. Think romantic florals, bold statement pieces, and modern twists on classic elegance: each look designed to celebrate the occasion, the season, and, most importantly, your own unique style.
As the moon prepares to shine at its fullest during the Mid-Autumn Festival, TUDOR introduces a timely new addition to its collection: the 1926 Luna, the brand’s first watch featuring a moon phase complication. Designed in collaboration with TUDOR ambassador Jay Chou, the release draws inspiration from Eastern lunar traditions, offering a mechanical tribute to a cultural moment that celebrates family, unity, and reflection under the moonlight.
As Fête Chinoise continues to celebrate our 10th anniversary, we find ourselves reflecting on what it truly means to stand the test of time, and to be daring in our universe of story-telling, publishing and experience-making. Honouring legacy while embracing bold, creative evolution is at the heart of our work — a parallel vision we saw powerfully reflected at the recent TUDOR Evening with David Beckham in Toronto. We learned firsthand how the TUDOR x Beckham partnership continues to redefine what it means to be timeless.
The Canadian Children’s Opera Company is bringing The Monkiest King to life at Harbourfront Centre Theatre. Created by a renowned team–composer Alice Ping Yee Ho, librettist Marjorie Chan, and director William Yong–the production reimagines the Monkey King's early trials and growth, performed by young talents alongside a live chamber orchestra. Expect a dynamic fusion of Western and traditional Chinese instruments, including the erhu, pipa, guzheng, harp, and more.
Hong Kong is well known as a concrete jungle of magnificent towers. But long before the concrete arrived, there was another kind of jungle—the bamboo groves that have for millennia colonized the hillsides of southern China, their hollow stems rustling in the wind like a thousand quiet conversations, captured in Ang Lee’s film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It is one of the most beautiful ironies in the built history of our city: that the jungle of steel and glass rising from Victoria Harbour was erected, storey by storey, decade by decade, by a forest of bamboo.
Lin describes her work as a meeting of memory, the present moment and imagination. Rooted in Chinese artistic traditions and rigorous technique, her practice has also been shaped by years abroad, carrying her beyond inherited forms into a language of her own. “Memory belongs to a fixed past, while the contemporary is constantly changing. And I like change,” she says.
Established in 1928, Yuet Tung China Works has survived wave after wave of change in Hong Kong. Every piece of porcelain here has a long story to tell. The works not only reflect the opportunities and challenges of Hong Kong’s shifting relationship with the world over the past century, they also demonstrate the adaptability and flexibility of Hong Kong people.
There is an intensity to the miniature worlds created by Pui Wan Lim of Picoworm Miniature. Each tiny scene – a traditional kopitiam coffee shop, a provision store, a kitchen table – is built with painstaking care yet feels lived in as if someone has just stepped away. The streets, signs, furniture and smallest objects hold fragments of memory, linking family history, local culture and her own imagination. For diaspora families, these miniatures are more than delicate objects: they are a way to hold on to places and routines that no longer exist around them.
On a quiet lane just east of Beijing’s Forbidden City, an old temple opens in a sequence of courtyards and chambers that feels uncannily like a house. You step off the street into a stone‑paved siheyuan, the city’s classic courtyard layout, and only gradually realize that the “home” you’re walking through is, in fact, a showroom. It’s The Palace MULI, a 500‑year‑old building restored and reimagined by North America design studio Yabu Pushelberg for MULI, a rising Chinese smart‑home brand intent on defining how a new generation wants to live.
Francesco Lietti did not come to painting through art school. He started in the corners of a shared house in south London, working on whatever surfaces were at hand. As a child he had always drawn and painted, but without formal lessons. What he did have, he says, was imagination. For years he painted in bursts, then stopped for months at a time. In 2001, he began taking apart old furniture, painting the boards and hanging them on the walls. That small, practical decision gave him both material and space and turned painting from an occasional diversion into a habit.
I have known Hong Kong–based artist Gabriel Lau, better known as LABEG, for long enough to remember him before he had the words for what he was. Before the Instagram following. Before Watches & Wonders in Geneva. Before the 22‑month waitlist that now trails behind him like a comet’s tail. I knew him in the years when the art was just an itch he couldn’t name, and the watches were a longing he couldn’t afford. We were younger then, and the world was much smaller: church basements, late‑night hotpots, the kind of easy warmth you only know when you don’t yet realize it is passing.
A young woman sits alone in a small room. Around her, the space is packed: lucky cats, red lanterns, mahjong tiles and painted carp. At first the scene looks light and playful, almost like a cartoon. Look longer and the scene tightens. The room feels less like decor and more like a mind crowded with memory. These are the kinds of interiors that Canadian artist Hayley Chiu returns to in her work, not as decoration but as a way to think about identity, home and the pull of Hong Kong from far away.
Flowers play a central role in celebrations across cultures, serving as symbols of love, prosperity, purity, and joy. Their role in the decor for weddings, festivals, and milestone events reflect deep-rooted traditions and evolving modern practices. In Chinese culture specifically, flowers carry deep symbolic meanings grounded in history, philosophy, art, literature, and traditional values, and are often chosen for celebrations like weddings and Chinese New Year based on their respective auspicious connotations.
In the intricate world of Chinese weddings, few roles carry the weight of heritage, superstition, and social etiquette like the Dai Kam (大妗)—a traditional female wedding emcee and consultant often tasked with orchestrating rituals, offering blessings, and ensuring customs are upheld properly. Literally known as “the elder auntie” (Dai Kam Jie 大妗姐), the Dai Kam is considered the indispensable soul of a Chinese wedding, a role traditionally filled by an older woman entrusted with guiding the couple through the complex rites. Once a figure closely associated with older generations and conservative values, the Dai Kam has evolved in recent years.
For travellers passing through Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific has reopened its flagship lounge The Wing, First at Hong Kong International Airport on April 22, 2026, marking a renewed expression of its signature First Class experience. Located on the east side of Terminal 1, the lounge was reimagined by Cathay Pacific’s long-time collaborator, London-based design studio Studioilse. The redesign shapes a more holistic environment where comfort, privacy, and craft come together.
A restaurant can offer more than a meal: a livelihood, a connection to home, and a place to belong. In director Wen Muye’s 文牧野 Once Upon a Time in the Middle East《歡迎來龍餐館》, these familiar hopes take on new urgency when a Chinese chef’s fresh start abroad is interrupted by war. Starring Shen Teng 沈騰 as chef Xu Fu, the film follows a man who travels to the Middle East to repay his debts and support his family. Together with restaurant manager Ma Junsheng, he helps turn the struggling Dragon Restaurant into a flourishing business. When conflict reaches the city, however, the restaurant becomes a refuge, and Xu Fu must decide how much he is willing to risk for the community he has come to call his own.
Recognised with five Hong Kong Film Awards, Ciao UFO 《再見UFO》 arrives in Canada for special autumn screenings. Beginning with a mysterious 1985 sighting over Wah Fu Estate, the film weaves a story of youth, public housing memories, and the evolving spirit of Hong Kong—offering the diaspora a deeply resonant reflection on nostalgia and home.
On September 14, 2026, Fête Chinoise hosted an intimate reception for 35 guests at Aera Restaurant at The Well, celebrating Fala Chen and the premiere of her directorial debut, Bloodline, at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film premiered earlier that morning at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto as part of TIFF’s Short Cuts Programme, with a hugely positive response from audience members. Following this important milestone, friends and members of the film gathered to continue the celebration.
On Sunday, September 13, 2026, the global film community gathered at Toronto’s iconic Fairmont Royal York Hotel for the eighth annual TIFF Tribute Awards. As the Toronto International Film Festival’s largest annual fundraiser, the gala celebrated remarkable contributions to screen storytelling while supporting year-round initiatives that broaden access to cinema and empower emerging artists.
On the evening of September 13th during the Toronto International Film Festival 2026, international film talents, industry leaders, and platform partners gathered at Malaparte at TIFF Lightbox for Hong Kong Night at TIFF 2026. The evening brought together global creators to celebrate Hong Kong cinema and its expanding footprint on the international stage.
Explore our editorial guide to the must-watch Chinese and Asian diaspora films at the Toronto International Film Festival 2026. Discover powerful stories of identity, family, and resilience starring Michelle Yeoh, Zhou Xun, Fan Bingbing, Shuhua Yeh, and more.
Now celebrating its 35th anniversary—with a new 4K restoration rolling out in theatres promises to find new audiences and offer devoted fans a reason to revisit its riches as well as its contemporary relevance, especially with how modern celebrities are treated in the age of social media. We had the honour to sit down with Kwan to discuss the golden era of Chinese cinema, how his relationship to the film and its stars have changed, and who he wants to work with next.
A debt, a distant land, and a bundle of letters spanning decades these are the threads that weave together Dear You《給阿嬤的情書》, the critical and box-office sensation set to make its US and Canadian theatrical debut on September 4, 2026. Following its acclaimed North American premiere at the New York Asian Film Festival, director Lan Hongchun’s multi-generational drama arrives as a poignant exploration of family devotion, sacrifice, and the enduring ties that bind the Chinese diaspora across generations.
Acclaimed director Herman Yau bridges thriller tension with deep empathy in We’re Nothing At All, starring Anson Kong, ANSONBEAN, and Patrick Tam. Catch the hit Hong Kong LGBTQ+ drama in Canadian theatres this June.
PAFF (Pride Asian Film Festival) returns to Toronto for its 2026 edition at Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, showcasing a bold lineup of Asian cinema and Canadian short films. Opening the festival is Herman Yau’s We’re Nothing At All, alongside major highlights including Juno Mak’s highly anticipated Sons of the Neon Night, the animated feature Another World, Fish Liew’s award-winning Someone Like Me, Shu Qi’s directorial debut Girl, and a special 4K restoration of Millennium Mambo starring Shu Qi, celebrating a powerful range of contemporary and classic Asian storytelling.
Directed by Joe Chan, Golden Boy《金童》 arrived in North America on April 10. Starring Louis Cheung 張繼聰, the film follows former boxing champion Cheung Lek, whose promising career is cut short by a fatal mistake that leads to ten years in prison. Upon his release, he encounters the son he has never met, setting him on an unexpected path back to the boxing world and toward reconciliation.
Following the announcement of nominations on February 10, the Hong Kong Film Awards have released a new set of portraits featuring this year’s shortlisted contenders in major categories, including Best Director, Best Actor and Actress, and Best New Director.
A new chapter in Vancouver's rich culinary dialogue is unfolding with the official opening of Haisan, an intimate 30-seat fine dining concept by Macau-born, Vancouver-raised Chef Steven Che. What began in 2021 as modest pop-up gatherings in friends' apartments has matured into a deeply personal 16-course tasting menu on Commercial Drive. At Haisan, a name formed by combining the Cantonese characters for ocean (海, hoi) and mountain (山, saan), Che offers a reflective, cohesive Chinese Pacific Northwest perspective that bridges heritage, memory, and local terroir.
Wine, in many ways, is fascinating because it has the ability to preserve the taste of time. When Eastern flavours meet Western vintages, culture and sentiment naturally begin to intertwine at the table, creating a dialogue that adds depth to every shared occasion.
We are sincerely grateful to celebrity wine expert Bernice Liu for sharing her thoughtful perspective with Fête Chinoise on pairing Chinese cuisine with wine during festive occasions. Through her refined sensibility, she invites us to rediscover culture through the lens of each dish and its accompanying wine pairing.
An 80th anniversary milestone is no small feat for any company, and it feels particularly significant when an aviation giant marks eight decades of moving people across the globe. For many diaspora families with roots in Asia, Cathay Pacific has long been synonymous with nostalgia and the enduring connection to home. Founded in 1946 in Hong Kong, it remains one of the most recognisable cultural touchpoints of the city’s global identity.
In this chapter, Mimi Chinese returns to the language of memory, reinvention, and quiet abundance. Under Chef Braden Chong’s vision, familiar Cantonese forms are reinterpreted through a contemporary lens—where tradition is not replicated, but carefully reassembled through place, season, and instinct.
Rooted in the spirit of celebration that defines the Mid-Autumn Festival—where reunion, harvest, and reflection converge under the fullness of the moon—each dish becomes both gesture and offering. From the tactile pleasure of shared plates to the precision of technique hidden beneath restraint, the menu moves between nostalgia and invention, between the comfort of the familiar and the intrigue of the unexpected.
On July 26, 2026, Lead Chef Keith Pears and Team Canada took home the Silver Medal at the Bocuse d’Or Americas in New Orleans, the regional qualifier for what is widely recognized as the Olympics of the culinary world. Beyond securing Canada's ticket to the global grand final in Lyon, France, the achievement was a performance defined by technical precision, Canadian ingredients, and the personal heritage of the chefs behind it.
This past Wednesday, NAAAP Toronto presented a panel exploring how Chinese cuisine in Canada has evolved from humble café staples into one of the country’s most dynamic culinary movements. Held at the beautiful Porsche Centre North Toronto and proudly supported by the dealership, the evening brought together chefs and culinary voices including Trevor Lui (Fête Chinoise Edition 8), Eva Chin (Edition 9), Braden Chong (Edition 11), and David Schwartz.
A new chapter in Vancouver's rich culinary dialogue is unfolding with the official opening of Haisan, an intimate 30-seat fine dining concept by Macau-born, Vancouver-raised Chef Steven Che. What began in 2021 as modest pop-up gatherings in friends' apartments has matured into a deeply personal 16-course tasting menu on Commercial Drive. At Haisan, a name formed by combining the Cantonese characters for ocean (海, hoi) and mountain (山, saan), Che offers a reflective, cohesive Chinese Pacific Northwest perspective that bridges heritage, memory, and local terroir.
An 80th anniversary milestone is no small feat for any company, and it feels particularly significant when an aviation giant marks eight decades of moving people across the globe. For many diaspora families with roots in Asia, Cathay Pacific has long been synonymous with nostalgia and the enduring connection to home. Founded in 1946 in Hong Kong, it remains one of the most recognisable cultural touchpoints of the city’s global identity.
In this chapter, Mimi Chinese returns to the language of memory, reinvention, and quiet abundance. Under Chef Braden Chong’s vision, familiar Cantonese forms are reinterpreted through a contemporary lens—where tradition is not replicated, but carefully reassembled through place, season, and instinct.
Rooted in the spirit of celebration that defines the Mid-Autumn Festival—where reunion, harvest, and reflection converge under the fullness of the moon—each dish becomes both gesture and offering. From the tactile pleasure of shared plates to the precision of technique hidden beneath restraint, the menu moves between nostalgia and invention, between the comfort of the familiar and the intrigue of the unexpected.
On Saturday, August 22, 2026, Vancouver’s Chinatown hosted an evening of music and community at the historic Wing Sang Building. The Chinese Canadian Museum served as the stage for Songs of the Golden Era, a special fundraising concert presented by the Harmony Through Arts Youth Foundation in support of the museum's ongoing public and educational programming.
From August 14 to 16, 2026, the quiet streets of Downtown Markham were replaced by the roar of twin-turbo V6 engines as the city hosted the inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy. The 3.52-kilometre street circuit brought high-speed motorsport into the heart of Markham Centre, reshaping the surrounding urban footprint for three days of intense racing, live music, and community turnout.
On July 26, 2026, Lead Chef Keith Pears and Team Canada took home the Silver Medal at the Bocuse d’Or Americas in New Orleans, the regional qualifier for what is widely recognized as the Olympics of the culinary world. Beyond securing Canada's ticket to the global grand final in Lyon, France, the achievement was a performance defined by technical precision, Canadian ingredients, and the personal heritage of the chefs behind it.
For the live audience and the thousands tuning in from their living rooms around the world, time seemed to stand still as a deep, velvety voice filled the room and stirred the souls of everyone listening. The lyrics of an Alan Tam classic were being sung with a storied richness that felt like the warm glow of love that was longed for. An unlikely silhouette emerged and Jackie Li stepped into the light to greet the judges.
Dominic Lam once painted himself head-to-toe in red, transforming into the God of Spicy Food for a Toronto TV segment. The producers were nervous. Lam was a respected host and a veteran actor from Hong Kong. Was this really how he wanted to be seen? Lam didn’t hesitate. “If it makes people connect, I’ll do it,” he says. “That’s what matters.”
For more than 50 years, Lam has moved between professions and continents without hesitation. He’s been a police officer, television host, actor, radio personality and community builder, always learning as he goes and rarely choosing the obvious path.
As a child, Eugene Chan spent Saturday nights wedged between relatives and neighbours in bustling Chinese restaurants north of Toronto, plates clattering, chopsticks flashing, laughter cresting above the din. Yet, even in the warmth of community, he noticed an absence. “Why,” he wondered, “are these places always full, but never with a single westerner?” The question lingered for years. It’s now the driving force behind Accencis Group, the company Chan founded to help Asian-led brands break new ground, connecting with audiences across Canada and into new markets.
“Food was always at the centre of my family,” says Braden Chong, executive chef at MIMI Chinese and Sunnys Chinese, two acclaimed restaurants in Toronto. “I loved eating. I was curious about how it was cooked and why I liked it so much.”
Born in 1994, Chong grew up in a Chinese-Canadian household as the youngest of three brothers. His grandparents immigrated from the Guangzhou region to Canada in the 1950s, bringing with them the flavours and traditions of southern China.
Her curiosity is boundless, as is her appetite. So it’s jarring to hear that Mijune Pak had trouble keeping food down while travelling through Dubai, Oman, Qatar, and the Maldives earlier this year. “Za’atar. Cumin. Normally, I love all that stuff,” she says, making a face at the memory. But normal wasn’t her state at the time: she was in her first trimester, expecting her first child. Those scents simply weren’t agreeing with her.
In a world where music transcends language, Lang Lang is a global ambassador, carrying the soul of Chinese heritage to the world’s grandest stages. With a Steinway piano at the command of his fingers and audiences across continents rising in standing ovation, he continues to redefine what it means to be an artist — not only by mastering his craft, but by embodying the power of cultural connection.
On a video call from his Vancouver office, Joo Kim Tiah sits with the city’s skyline behind him, a skyline he’s about to transform with what may be his most defining project yet.
The real estate developer’s vision: a $2.8-billion development that would rise from two downtown blocks, an architectural statement that will become Vancouver’s most ambitious mixed-use complex to date.
“I love being a dragon,” Liann Zhang says when the subject of the Chinese zodiac comes up. “It’s this random mystical beast in the middle of it all. I feel very powerful.”
Dragons, she adds, are brave and up for adventure, qualities that suit anyone writing a novel. Zhang just did. At just 23, she’s already seeing her debut thriller, Julie Chan is Dead, become one of the buzziest Canadian novels of the year, thanks in part to its setting in the murky world of influencers. The title is a tease; the story is even sharper.
During a break from her flight schedule in 2008, Skye Chan spotted a television advertisement for Miss Hong Kong pageant entrants. Most flight attendants might have dismissed the idea immediately. Chan had built her reputation on efficiency and professionalism, not the polished glamour typically associated with beauty competitions.
Yet something about the opportunity intrigued her. At twenty-three, Chan knew the eligibility cutoff of twenty-four made this her only opportunity to apply, so she downloaded the form and asked her mother to be her nominee. “You never know until you take a step forward,” she says.
Chan had no illusions about her chances.
On screen, Huang sat in a softly lit room at home, framed by an intricately carved wooden cabinet, its surface etched with ancient figures and traditional buildings. She smiled, glanced back at the cabinet and let the moment linger.
Off camera, one can imagine that cabinet, rich with the charm of Chinese design, has witnessed many changing seasons since her arrival in Toronto from Shanghai nearly a decade ago. It seems to speak for itself: solid, silent and carrying its own history into a new country where Huang has built a new life.
Ginalina, the stage name of Vancouver-based musician Gina Lam, weaves a tapestry of sound that bridges cultures and generations. Her latest album, All The Earth Speaks, released last fall, is a testament to her artistic vision—a fusion of traditional Chinese and Taiwanese folk music with contemporary Western influences.
As one of the most influential figures in Canadian banking and the game-changing founder of the Chinese Canadian Youth Athletics Association (CCYAA), Kuo was unraveling the many layers of his multi-faceted identity during our interview for this magazine article. His wife and in-laws are from Hong Kong, his father was originally from China and moved to Taiwan, his mother is Taiwanese, and Kuo himself works here as an all-in Canadian. This unique combination has positioned him well to interact with people from various Chinese backgrounds, blending the East and the West.
True luxury lives in the story woven between the artisan's hand and millennia of culture. This early summer, fine jewellery house Qeelin beautifully illustrated this balance by transforming Beijing’s iconic Ziyunxuan (紫雲軒) into an immersive sanctuary for its 2026 Fine Jewellery Private Exhibition. Guests were taken on a journey structured around five distinct layers of “Qeelin Encounters,” a poetic passage through the verdant landscapes of Guizhou province, where ancient dialogues between heaven, earth, and humanity are forged into wearable art.
Father's Day is an opportunity to celebrate the fathers, mentors, and role models who have shaped our lives through their guidance, generosity, and quiet strength. This year, we've curated a selection of gifts that balance craftsmanship, style, and everyday practicality, from refined accessories and timeless wardrobe essentials to distinctive pieces that reflect personality and taste. Explore our handpicked selection and discover gifts designed to be enjoyed long after Father's Day has passed.
Mother’s Day is a collective moment to honour the women who shape our lives through quiet gestures, enduring care, and unwavering presence, and to express our gratitude. This year, our edit brings together a considered mix of objects and experiences: timeless jewellery, elevated essentials, and meaningful time together over a special meal. From pieces she’ll wear every day to moments you can share around the table, enjoy beauty, function, and a sense of lasting connection.
On Tuesday, February 3, the City of Markham, the Varley Art Gallery of Markham, and the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham came together for a special evening celebrating a generous donation from Dr. Sylvester and Mrs. Pauline Chuang. We were honoured to celebrate their remarkable contributions.
A restaurant can offer more than a meal: a livelihood, a connection to home, and a place to belong. In director Wen Muye’s 文牧野 Once Upon a Time in the Middle East《歡迎來龍餐館》, these familiar hopes take on new urgency when a Chinese chef’s fresh start abroad is interrupted by war. Starring Shen Teng 沈騰 as chef Xu Fu, the film follows a man who travels to the Middle East to repay his debts and support his family. Together with restaurant manager Ma Junsheng, he helps turn the struggling Dragon Restaurant into a flourishing business. When conflict reaches the city, however, the restaurant becomes a refuge, and Xu Fu must decide how much he is willing to risk for the community he has come to call his own.
Recognised with five Hong Kong Film Awards, Ciao UFO 《再見UFO》 arrives in Canada for special autumn screenings. Beginning with a mysterious 1985 sighting over Wah Fu Estate, the film weaves a story of youth, public housing memories, and the evolving spirit of Hong Kong—offering the diaspora a deeply resonant reflection on nostalgia and home.
On September 14, 2026, Fête Chinoise hosted an intimate reception for 35 guests at Aera Restaurant at The Well, celebrating Fala Chen and the premiere of her directorial debut, Bloodline, at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film premiered earlier that morning at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto as part of TIFF’s Short Cuts Programme, with a hugely positive response from audience members. Following this important milestone, friends and members of the film gathered to continue the celebration.
On Sunday, September 13, 2026, the global film community gathered at Toronto’s iconic Fairmont Royal York Hotel for the eighth annual TIFF Tribute Awards. As the Toronto International Film Festival’s largest annual fundraiser, the gala celebrated remarkable contributions to screen storytelling while supporting year-round initiatives that broaden access to cinema and empower emerging artists.
![Happy 7th Day of the new year, known as 人日 (rén rì • 人[yan4] 日[yat6])! It represents everyone’s birthday, so happy birthday to all.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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As this new year unfolds, we hope you find and reach for new opportunity t](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55e06149e4b0e924d81546a2/1613666771930-FTDE0EYWXS99UORXWN4J/image-asset.jpeg)
![On the 5th day of the new year, we have some more good food to share! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Culinary Consultant & Expert, @susanssavourit, excudes the beloved quote by Picasso that the “meaning of life is to find your gift. [And] the purpose](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55e06149e4b0e924d81546a2/1613503546249-P0TML8GYWG8QUPCFZ4XH/image-asset.jpeg)
Hong Kong is well known as a concrete jungle of magnificent towers. But long before the concrete arrived, there was another kind of jungle—the bamboo groves that have for millennia colonized the hillsides of southern China, their hollow stems rustling in the wind like a thousand quiet conversations, captured in Ang Lee’s film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It is one of the most beautiful ironies in the built history of our city: that the jungle of steel and glass rising from Victoria Harbour was erected, storey by storey, decade by decade, by a forest of bamboo.