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.
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.
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.
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.
Esteemed actress Pei-Pei Cheng 鄭佩佩 has passed away in San Francisco at the age of 78. Best known to North American audiences for her iconic role in the Oscar-winning film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon《臥虎藏龍》, Cheng leaves behind a rich legacy that has deeply influenced the world of martial arts cinema. In recent years, she also played poignant roles in films such as Meditation Park and Mulan.
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.
As FIFA fever sweeps the nation, a dynamic new exhibition at the Chinese Canadian Museum celebrates over a century of grit, greatness, and athletic legacy. “Chinese Canadians have always been part of the game, but rarely part of the story,” notes Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee, CEO of the Chinese Canadian Museum. This poignant nuance forms the heart of the showcase, which invites visitors to trace over a century of Chinese-Canadian presence in sports. Designed as an electrified, sports bar–inspired space, the Poy Family Gallery presents archival objects, photographic portraits, and newly commissioned moving image works, allowing everyone to explore these beautiful layers of history through different mediums.
Our mooncake tin design pays tribute to this rich tradition while offering an education bridge for the next generation. Drawing inspiration from vintage Mahjong sets, including collections from Waddington’s Auctioneers, our committee members, and our Editor-in-Chief, we studied variations in tile design, from characters to floral motifs, carving strokes and symbolic details. We then dreamt up and hand-illustrated our own interpretation.
There is a particular sound that many of us carry from our earliest memories: the sharp, satisfying click and clang of Mahjong tiles shuffled across a table, the gentle murmur of conversation between turns, and the laughter that rises from familiar stories, playful teasing, and moments shared around the table. Across generations and continents, Mahjong has travelled far beyond the tabletop. It has become a gathering place connecting families, preserving traditions, and carrying with it a rich language of symbolism, craftsmanship, and cultural memory.
This Mid-Autumn Festival, we invite our community to rediscover the beauty behind this beloved game through the 6th annual Love at Mid-Autumn campaign, a celebration of Chinese heritage, creative expression, and giving back.
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.
The modern diaspora is a tapestry woven from memory fragments: the half-remembered stories told by elders, the vivid iconography of classic cinema, and the lingering weight of ancient rituals. For Emily Cheung, the Artistic Director of Little Pear Garden Dance Company, these cultural echoes do not belong solely to the past. Instead, they serve as the living, breathing foundation for her latest ambitious work: Echoes of the Underworld.
Acclaimed Malaysian contemporary calligraphy artist Jameson Yap has unveiled a commissioned series of artworks for CloutHaus Residences, the luxury residential component of TA Global Berhad’s latest mixed-use development in Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC). Presented at an exclusive exhibition held at the CloutHaus Sales Gallery on May 14, the showcase marked the venue’s first major cultural activation and reflected the development’s support for local creative talent, and ambitions to position itself as a destination shaped by art, culture, and curated experiences.
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.
Nine extraordinary Cartier clocks, set to be featured at Phillips' upcoming auctions in Geneva and Hong Kong, offer a unique look at the fusion of craftsmanship, design, and cultural storytelling. Spanning the 1900s to the 1940s, these timepieces reflect Cartier’s deep engagement with artistic movements and their exploration of Eastern cultural influences, particularly from China.
From April 11 to 13, the Grand Quay in Montreal’s Old Port will host the highly anticipated 2025 edition of Plural, Canada’s leading contemporary art fair. Formerly known as Papier, the fair began with a focus on works on paper and has since evolved into a reimagined event that reflects the multiplicity of voices, practices, and mediums shaping contemporary Canadian art. Amongst the standout projects is Like raindrops rolling down new paint, Karen Tam’s evocative work, presented by The National Bank and staged in the Espace Banque Nationale.
Benevolence is Kevin Matthew Wong’s creative exploration of the Hakka-Chinese experience in Canada, which includes the short documentary Benevolence premiered at the 2023 Reel Asian Film Festival, the art installation Benevolence Hall with Toronto History Museums at The Market Gallery in summer 2024, and now the upcoming theatrical production Benevolence, set to premiere at Tarragon Theatre in April 2025.
Carried by the River, an original play by Diana Tso 曹楓, is a transformative journey about Kai, a young Asian woman raised in Canada, who uncovers a life-altering truth after her mother’s passing and embarks on a trip to China. The production, which touches on themes of memory and and identity, features performances by Shiong-en Chan, emerging dancer Tai Wei Foo 符岱微, and music by Alice Ping Yee Ho 何冰頤. Directed and choreographed by William Yong 楊漢源, the play will be staged at Tarragon Extraspace from March 8 to 23, 2025.
Discover over 30 incredible items in our Silent Auction, featuring diverse categories such as luxurious hotel stays, exclusive apparel shopping experiences, culinary delights, beauty essentials, and significant art & collectibles—all starting at $1,000 retail value. Be the lucky winner of these curated treasures while supporting a meaningful cause. Let the bidding fun begin!
Chinese culture values symbolism. On important occasions like the wedding banquet, the ingredients used are chosen with care, and each dish carries different meanings. A typical Chinese wedding banquet menu includes either ten or twelve dishes, symbolizing "full and perfection" or implying that the couple will have happiness throughout the twelve months of the year. For this special feature, we invited Rovey Chinese Catering and Private Dining, to demonstrate twelve classic Chinese wedding banquet courses and introduce the meaning behind each dish.
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.
How Modern: Biographies of Architecture in China 1949–1979 at the Canadian Centre for Architecture uncovers overlooked modernist architecture. Curator Shirley Surya and researcher Li Hua discuss how architects navigated political constraints, blended local traditions, and innovated with limited resources, creating human-centred designs that reveal nuance, memory, and the lived experience of Chinese architecture.
In the skilled hands of Master Hui Ka Hung, paper transforms into vibrant, lifelike creations embodying Hong Kong’s cultural heritage.
Hong Kong is a fast-paced city filled with innovation and potential. Among its towering skyscrapers are streets alive with people rushing to their next destination. Beyond the urban chaos lie alleys steeped in history and tradition. It is here that artisans preserve Hong Kong’s cultural heritage through traditional skills passed down for generations. Among them is Master Hui Ka Hung, whose workshop, Hung C Lau, has become synonymous with the art of paper craft.
Kejie Lin’s transformation from a landscape architect to a contemporary gongbi painting artist is as deliberate and precise as the strokes in her paintings. For over twenty years, Kejie designed gardens, orchestrating nature into harmonious compositions that invited reflection and calm. Today, she cultivates these same principles on paper, transforming the ancient, meticulous technique of gongbi, known for its fine lines and detailed brushwork, into a contemporary practice that speaks of her own journey.
Her latest exhibition, A Garden of My Own, at the Varley Art Gallery, extends this creative world and draws audiences from the moment they step inside.
Brimming with talent, Vancouver-based fashion designer Ou Ma is making waves on the west coast with her exquisitely tailored creations. Intrinsically artistic and vividly expressive Ou Ma, is the Beijing-born, Fashion Institute of Technology educated, couture-trained, passionate force at OUMA. The tactile and artistic mediums of illustration and painting found Ma at an early age while growing up in Beijing. This innate talent inspired her to shift from the canvas to physical expression, where movement, intent, and emotion can come to life in the space between fabric, form, culture, and the human experience to create something of deep emotional resonance.
Hong Kong, a city of neon lights and whispered histories, hums endlessly at the intersection of the ancient and the modern, the East and the West. It is a place of contradictions – a city that carries within it the echoes of temples, quiet in incense smoke, juxtaposed against the bustle of crowded, cosmopolitan streets. Within this labyrinth of cultural dualities and layered identities, the contemplative sculptures of Danny Lee Chin-Fai emerge – shaped by and, in turn, shaping the identity of the city itself.
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.
The 19th Asian Film Awards brought together leading stars and rising talents, with Zhang Ziyi receiving top honours while Liu Haoran and Terrance Lau captured the spotlight amid a weekend of screenings, talks, and cultural exchange.
Breaking box office records within just 60 days and surpassing the milestone held for nearly 18 years by Cape No. 7《海角七號》, the Taiwanese hit Sunshine Women’s Choir《陽光女子合唱團》has become the first film in Taiwan’s history to exceed NT$700 million at the box office.
Fans of the classic TVB series A Step into the Past have long awaited this moment, and it’s finally here! Back to the Past is the highly anticipated cinematic sequel that brings the beloved characters and thrilling storylines of the original 2001 series to the big screen.
My First of May will warm audiences’ hearts this New Year with its North American premiere on January 16. Written and directed by rising filmmaker James Hung, the film is a tender, realistic portrayal of a father-daughter relationship, the pursuit of dreams, and the resilience needed to face life’s challenges. Spanning three generations, the story delicately explores the bonds of family and the preciousness of every moment.
Colin Farrell, Fala Chen, and director Edward Berger attended the Canadian premiere of Ballad of a Small Player 《小人物之歌》 at TIFF 2025. Set in the neon-lit world of Macau’s casinos, the film follows Lord Doyle (Farrell), a washed-up gambler offered a second chance by the enigmatic Dao Ming (Chen), while pursued by a relentless investigator (Tilda Swinton). Directed by Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front), the film also stars Deanie Ip and Alex Jennings.
Shu Qi 舒淇 made her North American directorial debut with the world premiere of Girl at the Toronto International Film Festival on the afternoon of September 9, warmly welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd of loyal fans. Set in Taiwan in 1988, Girl follows the story of Hsiao-lee, a quiet and withdrawn teenager living under the weight of silent sorrow. Her world begins to shift after meeting Li-li, a vibrant, carefree classmate whose friendship rekindles long-suppressed dreams.
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.
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.
Anh and Chi celebrates 10th anniversary with a fundraiser dinner supporting Chef Keith Pears and Team Canada at the Bocuse d’Or. This special evening on March 8, 2026, brings together two inspiring mother-and-son duos: Chefs Ly and Vincent Nguyen of Anh and Chi, and Keith Pears with his mother Lynda Larouche, for a 10-course family-style menu honouring Vietnamese culinary heritage, mentorship, and the next generation of chefs.
Shangri-La Toronto has unveiled a new afternoon tea experience in collaboration with Cathay Pacific, celebrating the Year of the Horse and the airline’s 80th anniversary connecting Toronto to Hong Kong and beyond. The Gateway to Asia Afternoon Tea is available from February 12 to March 29, 2026, Thursdays to Sundays, with a special Lunar New Year program on Tuesday, February 17, featuring a traditional lion dance and blessings.
For those looking for a memorable way to celebrate the Lunar New Year, The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto offers a special brunch experience. Guests who appreciated the warmth and hospitality of the team at the 2026 Signature Event are invited to enjoy it again at the Lunar New Year Brunch Buffet at TOCA on February 22.
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.
Esteemed actress Pei-Pei Cheng 鄭佩佩 has passed away in San Francisco at the age of 78. Best known to North American audiences for her iconic role in the Oscar-winning film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon《臥虎藏龍》, Cheng leaves behind a rich legacy that has deeply influenced the world of martial arts cinema. In recent years, she also played poignant roles in films such as Meditation Park and Mulan.
As FIFA fever sweeps the nation, a dynamic new exhibition at the Chinese Canadian Museum celebrates over a century of grit, greatness, and athletic legacy. “Chinese Canadians have always been part of the game, but rarely part of the story,” notes Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee, CEO of the Chinese Canadian Museum. This poignant nuance forms the heart of the showcase, which invites visitors to trace over a century of Chinese-Canadian presence in sports. Designed as an electrified, sports bar–inspired space, the Poy Family Gallery presents archival objects, photographic portraits, and newly commissioned moving image works, allowing everyone to explore these beautiful layers of history through different mediums.
Our mooncake tin design pays tribute to this rich tradition while offering an education bridge for the next generation. Drawing inspiration from vintage Mahjong sets, including collections from Waddington’s Auctioneers, our committee members, and our Editor-in-Chief, we studied variations in tile design, from characters to floral motifs, carving strokes and symbolic details. We then dreamt up and hand-illustrated our own interpretation.
There is a particular sound that many of us carry from our earliest memories: the sharp, satisfying click and clang of Mahjong tiles shuffled across a table, the gentle murmur of conversation between turns, and the laughter that rises from familiar stories, playful teasing, and moments shared around the table. Across generations and continents, Mahjong has travelled far beyond the tabletop. It has become a gathering place connecting families, preserving traditions, and carrying with it a rich language of symbolism, craftsmanship, and cultural memory.
This Mid-Autumn Festival, we invite our community to rediscover the beauty behind this beloved game through the 6th annual Love at Mid-Autumn campaign, a celebration of Chinese heritage, creative expression, and giving back.
There is a timeless grace to the harp that makes it easy to admire. With its sweeping silhouette and gentle, ambient sound, it is an instrument many of us are content to enjoy from a comfortable distance, appreciating its elegance at a special event or as a soothing component in a classical concert. Yet, because it carries such an aura of rarefied prestige, we often rarely get the chance to truly step inside its world or see it as a modern, dynamic storyteller.
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.
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.
Our mooncake tin design pays tribute to this rich tradition while offering an education bridge for the next generation. Drawing inspiration from vintage Mahjong sets, including collections from Waddington’s Auctioneers, our committee members, and our Editor-in-Chief, we studied variations in tile design, from characters to floral motifs, carving strokes and symbolic details. We then dreamt up and hand-illustrated our own interpretation.
There is a particular sound that many of us carry from our earliest memories: the sharp, satisfying click and clang of Mahjong tiles shuffled across a table, the gentle murmur of conversation between turns, and the laughter that rises from familiar stories, playful teasing, and moments shared around the table. Across generations and continents, Mahjong has travelled far beyond the tabletop. It has become a gathering place connecting families, preserving traditions, and carrying with it a rich language of symbolism, craftsmanship, and cultural memory.
This Mid-Autumn Festival, we invite our community to rediscover the beauty behind this beloved game through the 6th annual Love at Mid-Autumn campaign, a celebration of Chinese heritage, creative expression, and giving back.
![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)
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.