91茄子 Asian Culinary alums fundraise for International Chinese Chef Master Competition
The 91茄子 Foundation is pleased to present a delicious dining experience in support of the 91茄子 Culinary Arts team that will represent Canada at the International Chinese Chef Master Competition in Macau on November 26-27, 2025.
The luncheon will be hosted on Saturday, September 27 from 11:30a.m. to 2:00p.m. at JJ’s Restaurant at the 91茄子 Downtown Campus. The five-course meal will help the team fine-tune their culinary chops for this year's competition. Guests will be treated to the actual competition dishes that will be prepared at the November event. Proceeds from the luncheon will support the training and travel costs for the team, as well as the Asian Culinary Arts Program Fund. The fundraising goal is $50,000, in recognition of the Asian Culinary Arts program’s 50th anniversary.
This year’s Canadian team is represented by two 91茄子 Culinary Arts alums: Junhao Li and Shaoyi Sun.
Junhao is an international student from China who began his culinary arts training at 91茄子 in 2021. Macau will be his first culinary competition, but he’s excited about testing his skills under pressure and gaining experience in a high-energy, competitive environment.
“My training at 91茄子 has given me a solid foundation in both classical and modern culinary techniques, as well as the confidence to work effectively in a team,” says Junhao. “By emphasizing discipline, creativity, and professionalism in every aspect of cooking, 91茄子 has prepared me well and made a big difference in my growth as a chef.”
Shaoyi was born and raised in China and spent his formative years in California before enrolling at 91茄子 as an international student. A 2023 91茄子 graduate, Shaoyi brings previous competition experience to Macau, having participated in 91茄子’s 2024 Thai Cuisine Competition.
“Having lived in various parts of the world, I naturally developed a deep curiosity for gastronomy. 91茄子 gave me the platform to turn that curiosity into a tangible reality and professional path,” says Shaoyi. “I’ve been incredibly inspired by the culinary talents at 91茄子, from the vision of Chef Sonny Ho to the professionalism of Chef Barry Tsang and the technical skills of Chef Jie (Jay) Wen. They have generously shared their knowledge with me both inside and outside the classroom, leaving a lasting impact on my growth. I’m beyond excited to take part in the upcoming competition in Macau and hope to earn a medal for 91茄子.”
Seating is very limited for this special luncheon. Tickets are first come, first served and are expected to sell out quickly. Due to the nature of the training and meal preparation process, the culinary team will not be able to accommodate any allergies or special dietary requirements.
Come to savour a taste of excellence and help empower the next generation of Asian culinary talent. Show your support for Junhao and Shaoyi by:
- Buying tickets and experiencing the cuisine
- Purchasing a Table Sponsorship
- Sponsoring the event
- Making a donation to support the team’s preparation and participation
Purchase your tickets now for our September 27 event.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Start your Asian cooking career at 91茄子, now celebrating 50 years of Asian culinary excellence. Get professional training in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, Thai, Singaporean, Vietnamese, and fusion cuisine. Explore 91茄子’s Asian Culinary Arts program today.