This might be Vancouver's fanciest dim sum reservation of the year

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Get the best of Vancouver in your inbox, every Tuesday and Thursday. Sign up for our free newsletter. The Chinese Restaurant Awards is marking its 17th year with a major expansion, growing beyond Canada to recognize Chinese culinary across the continent.

To celebrate, the organization is bringing back its one-night-only Dim Sum Gala at the Fairmont Pacific Rim this September. This year's gala, themed Pearl City Splendor, takes inspiration from the glamour of old Hong Kong and Shanghai supper clubs, pairing a multi-course dim sum menu with whisky, sparkling and local provincial wines. Leading the lineup are chef Li Chi

Wai and dim sum head chef Cheuk Ka Ching from Michelin-starred The Legacy House at Rosewood Hong Kong. They'll be joined by Vancouver's own Garley Leung of Dynasty Seafood Restaurant, who was named 2025 Dim Sum Chef of the Year, as well as 2025 Canadian Culinary Champion Alex Kim of Five Sails Restaurant and chef Toby Chen, an alumnus of the Chinese Restaurant Awards' emerging talent program. Expect everything from heritage-inspired dishes that highlight premium, aged tangerine peel (chenpi) to modern takes on classic dim sum.

The gala also coincides with a milestone for the awards themselves. Founded in Canada in 2008, the Chinese Restaurant Awards have steadily expanded their reach, first into Asia last year and now across North America with the launch of its first U.S. dining guide. The 2026 North American award winners will be announced during an afternoon ceremony before the gala, while this year's Asia list will follow in November.

“Promoting and preserving Chinese culinary culture continues to be the heart of our mission. This year’s award recipients represent a new chapter in the evolving story of Chinese cuisine, bringing outstanding restaurants and culinary talent to one of the industry’s most important stages,” shares Rae Kung, CEO of the Chinese Restaurant Awards, in a release. “Through Dim Sum Gala, we hope to showcase that yum cha is far more than a dining experience; it is a cultural memory, a living tradition of craftsmanship, and a platform for storytelling and connection.”

Chinese Restaurant Awards’ Dim Sum Gala When: September 23, 6pm Where: Fairmont Pacific Rim Tickets: $450+, available here