Toronto’s food lovers are no strangers to the names Chef Alvin Leung and Eric Chong. Alvin, a three-Michelin-starred chef renowned for his boundary-pushing creations, and Eric, the first winner of MasterChef Canada, have joined forces to introduce aKin—a modern Asian fine dining restaurant that promises to redefine the city’s culinary landscape. Nestled in the heart of Toronto’s Old Town at 51 Colborne Street, aKin offers a dining experience that is as daring as it is refined. We had the privilege of attending an exclusive preview night, giving us a first taste of this much-anticipated culinary destination.

Inaugural Pride Asian Film Festival Debuts in Toronto with 2025 Feature Lineup

Toronto will welcome a new addition to its cultural calendar this spring with the inaugural Pride Asian Film Festival (PAFF), taking place from May 29 to June 1, 2025, at Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk. Presented as an official affiliate of Pride Toronto, the festival aims to highlight East Asian cinema while centering LGBTQ2S+ voices and gender-diverse storytelling.

Current Affairs, Film & Books, Mark Your CalendarFête ChinoiseMay 8, 2025movies, Film, filmComment

Asian Heritage Month Highlight: Sharing Culture Through Culinary Craft at Sushi Yūgen

This Asian Heritage Month, we honour the richness of Asian culture in Canada by spotlighting Asian-owned restaurants that go above and beyond their culinary aspirations. They tell stories, preserve traditions, and create spaces where cultural dialogue thrives and culture is exchanged. One such space is Sushi Yugen, a serene omakase dining experience rooted in Japanese craftsmanship and philosophy, which opened in late 2023 in the financial district of Toronto on York Street.

Community & People, Current Affairs, Food and LifestyleFête ChinoiseMay 2, 2025Food, restaurant, RestaurantComment

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In Exhibition that Once Stunned Visitors at Hong Kong International Airport

Recognised for its exceptional art direction and set design at the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards, the production set of Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In was on display at Hong Kong International Airport. This captivating exhibition has showcased the film's stunning details to the public, offering visitors an up-close look at its intricate design.

Current Affairs, Film & Books, Mark Your CalendarFête ChinoiseApril 28, 2025hong kong, movies, Film, MovieComment

Exceptional Cartier Clocks Inspired by Chinese Artistry at Phillips Auction

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.

Current Affairs, Mark Your Calendar, Art and Fashion, Objects of DesireFête ChinoiseApril 25, 2025Collections, designComment

A Look Back at Our Favourite Films Leading Up to the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards — Winners Updated!

As we look forward to the awards ceremony this Sunday, it's the perfect time to revisit some of our interviews with the brilliant directors and creatives behind this year's nominated films. Their insights offer a deeper appreciation of the stories that have moved us. Explore the full list of nominations below and stay tuned for the results!

Current Affairs, Film & Books, Mark Your CalendarFête ChinoiseApril 24, 2025Awards, hong kong, moviesComment

Karen Tam’s Ink Bird Installation Lands at Plural Contemporary Art Fair 2025

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.

Tina Lee Receives the 2025 Ivey Alumni Achievement Award

Tina Lee, CEO of T&T Supermarkets, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Ivey Alumni Achievement Award. While the recognition is truly remarkable, it comes as no surprise to those who’ve followed her journey. At the helm of Canada’s largest Asian grocery chain, Tina has expanded T&T’s national footprint and redefined what it means to lead a culturally rooted, community-forward business in a complex, competitive, and evolving industry. Today, T&T operates 37 stores across Canada and the United States, with a growing team of over 8,500 employees.

Written in the Stars: Biblio Bash 2025 Lights Up the Night for Youth Programs

The Toronto Public Library (TPL) Foundation’s Biblio Bash returned to the Toronto Reference Library yesterday. This annual black-tie fundraiser is known for its elegant evening at the iconic library, where celebrated authors joined guests for dinner throughout the atrium. Funds raised from the event support TPL’s vital programs.

Last year’s event raised funds for the Foundation’s Newcomer Community Initiative, and this year, Biblio Bash surpassed its fundraising target, bringing in an impressive $1,070,100 to support youth programs and initiatives focused on social health and mental wellness for teens across Toronto.

Community & People, Current AffairsFête ChinoiseApril 4, 2025Toronto Public Library, Events, CommunityComment

Benevolence: A Sincere and Dazzling One-Man Show Exploring Hakka Roots and Identity

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.

Current Affairs, Art and Fashion, Community & People, Mark Your CalendarFête ChinoiseMarch 28, 2025artist, artists, theatre artComment

MìLà and Simu Liu: How the Frozen Dumpling Business Bridges Culture

For Jenn Liao, co-founder of MìLà, food has always been more than just sustenance—it’s a form of storytelling. What began as a small operation in her Seattle home has now become a brand redefining how Asian cuisine is represented in the frozen food industry. But MìLà’s rise wasn’t about chasing trends. It was about scaling tradition without losing authenticity—a challenge that many culturally rooted brands face. After securing a round of VC funding, MìLà’s latest frozen soup dumplings have been turning heads, as food lovers can’t get enough of their flavourful bite-sized delights, and now they’ve finally arrived on Canadian shelves this month.

A First Taste of Enigma Yorkville’s Reimagined Culinary Experience

Stepping into Enigma Yorkville, I was immediately struck by the seamless blend of modern elegance and quiet intimacy—a setting that speaks to a carefully curated dining experience. Fresh from its recent renovation, which creates a more immersive space. Enigma’s expanded offerings go beyond just aesthetics; they invite guests into a world where fine dining meets immersive storytelling. While every dish was crafted with precision and creativity, a few selections left a lasting impression, revealing the true essence of Enigma’s culinary philosophy.

Community & People, Current Affairs, Food and LifestyleFête ChinoiseFebruary 28, 2025Food, restaurant, RestaurantComment