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Coveted Michelin star chef Alvin Leung, known to many as Hong Kong's "Demon Chef", is in town to show his novel sensations in Chinese cooking and to bring his culinary cultural shocks to a series of events in Toronto.
Born in London, raised in Toronto, and attained international status in Hong Kong, Leung has witnessed first-hand the influence of Chinese cuisine in the culinary world.
At the invitation of the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (HKETO) in Canada and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), Leung and his team came to Toronto from Milan, right after joining a selection of the world's master chefs at Singapore's Raffles Hotel's 15th Annual Wine, Food & Arts Experience.
Chef Leung will use his inventive Chinese cooking as the vehicle to promote Hong Kong as a superb culinary capital. Leung's restaurant in Hong Kong – Bo Innovation – has won star-ratings from the Michelin Guide in 2009 and 2010. The Michelin star rating system for outstanding restaurants was introduced in 1926. It has become the benchmark of excellence in the culinary industry.
Hailed by worldwide food critics as Asia's hottest and most innovative chef for "breaking new ground" with his experimental interpretations of Chinese cuisine, Leung's novel and technologically advanced dishes – the "X-treme" Chinese cuisine – re-defines Hong Kong's culinary landscape by incorporating non-Chinese ingredients into centuries-old recipes to create a unique type of Chinese food, one which pushed the boundaries of expectation yet remains undeniably Chinese.
The "Demon Chef" will first appear at tomorrow's (February 6, Toronto time) Dragon Ball, the largest fundraising ball in the Chinese community, which is carrying a "Hong Kong theme" this year, including a display featuring a "Savoury Journey Along Hong Kong Tramway". He will prepare assorted hors d'oeuvres and an appetizer for the gala dinner, including a cocktail with Moutai called "dragon ball".
The chef will be talking about his culinary concept at "In Conversation with Celebrity Hong Kong Chef Alvin Leung", an interaction session conducted by Mary Ito, host of Fresh Air, CBC Radio One 99.1 FM, on February 9 (Tuesday) at the Vivian and David Campbell Conference Facility of the Munk Centre. The event is hosted by the Asian Institute of the University of Toronto, with the support from HKETO and HKTB. The session will be followed by discussion with the media, Q&A from the audience, and a reception.
(Members of the public are welcome to attend the "In Conversation" event free of charge. Please register at: http://webapp.mcis.utoronto.ca/EventDetails.aspx?eventid=8648)
Furthermore, media representatives who have been invited by the HKETO and HKTB for a dinner event co-hosted by the HKETO and HKTB on February 10 (Wednesday) will have an exclusive opportunity to get a real taste of the Demon Chef's unconventional Chinese cuisine which exhibits his stunning "wow" factor.
"As a gourmet paradise, Hong Kong prides itself in its diverse culinary tradition that demands innovative ideas and creativity," said HKETO Director Ms Maureen Siu. "Chef Leung has clearly combined these two important elements in his brand new interpretation of food."
The visit of the Demon Chef is part of a series of Hong Kong-themed promotions in the Greater Toronto Area in these two months, featuring Hong Kong as Asia's events and culinary capital, as well as highlighting its role as an international financial centre.
Following Toronto, Chef Leung said he would be visiting New York, Jakarta, Beijing and Shanghai over the next 12 months to promote his unique cuisine as well as opening a restaurant in London.
Ends/Saturday, February 6, 2010
Issued at HKT 11:56
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