Senior Writer on the Culture Desk
Bernice Chan is a senior writer on the Culture desk. She samples more than her share of dishes around Hong Kong and writes about people and issues that make an impact on the city.
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Latest from Bernice Chan
A childhood of competing in adrenaline-fuelled sporting events proved fundamental for the innovative, self-taught Slovenian chef.
A childhood of competing in adrenaline-fuelled sporting events proved fundamental for the innovative, self-taught Slovenian chef.
How do you put a new spin on something as simple as pizza? New Hong Kong restaurants roll out sourdough pizzas, pies whose base incorporates ancient grain emmer, and toppings you’d expect on a plate of linguine.
How do you put a new spin on something as simple as pizza? New Hong Kong restaurants roll out sourdough pizzas, pies whose base incorporates ancient grain emmer, and toppings you’d expect on a plate of linguine.
Rech by Alain Ducasse, a one-Michelin-star fine-dining restaurant at the InterContinental hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui, has closed, hit by a downturn in trade caused by the coronavirus pandemic and anti-government protests.
Rech by Alain Ducasse, a one-Michelin-star fine-dining restaurant at the InterContinental hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui, has closed, hit by a downturn in trade caused by the coronavirus pandemic and anti-government protests.
Finding Yingying is a heartbreaking documentary that tells the story of Zhang Yingying, who went to the US from China to study but was abducted, raped and murdered, and of her family’s unrelenting attempts to get to the truth.
Finding Yingying is a heartbreaking documentary that tells the story of Zhang Yingying, who went to the US from China to study but was abducted, raped and murdered, and of her family’s unrelenting attempts to get to the truth.
Luis ‘Chele’ Gonzalez, chef-owner of Manila’s Gallery by Chele, has helped pioneer a Philippine movement that champions national produce over imported goods.
Luis ‘Chele’ Gonzalez, chef-owner of Manila’s Gallery by Chele, has helped pioneer a Philippine movement that champions national produce over imported goods.
Singapore-born Swiss chef who spent decades working in Hong Kong, and had success in New York, remembered for his focus on flavours and textures of dishes, and for his drive, leadership and vision.
Singapore-born Swiss chef who spent decades working in Hong Kong, and had success in New York, remembered for his focus on flavours and textures of dishes, and for his drive, leadership and vision.
Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have become vehicles for Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra players to reach their fans amid the coronavirus epidemic that’s shut city concert halls, via posts of them making music at home.
Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have become vehicles for Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra players to reach their fans amid the coronavirus epidemic that’s shut city concert halls, via posts of them making music at home.
Little Bao chef May Chow hit the gym and switched to a keto diet after changes in her work and personal life – and she says it’s given her the strength and clarity to remain positive even as protests and the coronavirus have affected her restaurants.
Little Bao chef May Chow hit the gym and switched to a keto diet after changes in her work and personal life – and she says it’s given her the strength and clarity to remain positive even as protests and the coronavirus have affected her restaurants.
The Netflix series travels the world visiting restaurants with amazing views, that need a revamp. Tai O Banyan Tree in a small fishing village in Hong Kong is the only Asian destination.
The Netflix series travels the world visiting restaurants with amazing views, that need a revamp. Tai O Banyan Tree in a small fishing village in Hong Kong is the only Asian destination.
Recognition from Michelin ‘is so important for a little restaurant in the middle of nowhere’, says Antonia Klugmann.
Recognition from Michelin ‘is so important for a little restaurant in the middle of nowhere’, says Antonia Klugmann.
The Great Chefs of Hong Kong fundraiser at the Grand Hyatt and Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants show in Kyushu, Japan, have both been shelved in the wake of the spreading coronavirus outbreak.
The Great Chefs of Hong Kong fundraiser at the Grand Hyatt and Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants show in Kyushu, Japan, have both been shelved in the wake of the spreading coronavirus outbreak.
The Venezuelan chef Ricardo Chaneton worked at Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe before coming to Hong Kong, where he recently opened his own restaurant, Mono, in Central.
The Venezuelan chef Ricardo Chaneton worked at Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe before coming to Hong Kong, where he recently opened his own restaurant, Mono, in Central.
Most of the staff at Dignity Kitchen are physically or mentally disabled, and they are serving up some of the best Singapore hawker food in Hong Kong. Founder Koh Seng Choon talks about the challenges they had to overcome.
Most of the staff at Dignity Kitchen are physically or mentally disabled, and they are serving up some of the best Singapore hawker food in Hong Kong. Founder Koh Seng Choon talks about the challenges they had to overcome.
Possibly no other company has perfected the cinnamon roll like Cinnabon has – and the US-based company now has a franchise store in Hong Kong in Olympian City.
Possibly no other company has perfected the cinnamon roll like Cinnabon has – and the US-based company now has a franchise store in Hong Kong in Olympian City.
Restaurants in some top Hong Kong hotels have temporarily shut their doors ahead of February 14 because the coronavirus outbreak has caused a slump in business.
Restaurants in some top Hong Kong hotels have temporarily shut their doors ahead of February 14 because the coronavirus outbreak has caused a slump in business.
Kwanghi Chan, the Hong Kong-born Irish chef and owner of Bowls by Kwanghi Chan, in Dublin, talks about overcoming a difficult childhood.
Kwanghi Chan, the Hong Kong-born Irish chef and owner of Bowls by Kwanghi Chan, in Dublin, talks about overcoming a difficult childhood.
A Chinese New Year snack, sugar rings are crispy addictive, and pastry chef Ringo Chan learned how to make them from his grandmother. He shows us how to make perfect sugar rings.
A Chinese New Year snack, sugar rings are crispy addictive, and pastry chef Ringo Chan learned how to make them from his grandmother. He shows us how to make perfect sugar rings.
Lunar New Year is traditionally a time for enjoying family, and of course food including sweet snacks prepared with care for relatives and friends. Ringo Chan, executive pastry chef at the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, shows the SCMP’s Bernice Chan how to make sugar rings, his favourite holiday treat, using his grandmother's simple recipe.
Lunar New Year is traditionally a time for enjoying family, and of course food including sweet snacks prepared with care for relatives and friends. Ringo Chan, executive pastry chef at the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, shows the SCMP’s Bernice Chan how to make sugar rings, his favourite holiday treat, using his grandmother's simple recipe.
The prolific restaurateur, who has achieved considerable Michelin-acclaim, hopes to open a small restaurant where he will be able to feed his passion.
The prolific restaurateur, who has achieved considerable Michelin-acclaim, hopes to open a small restaurant where he will be able to feed his passion.
Author Jeff Wasserstrom, a University of California professor, draws comparisons between 2014 and 2019 Hong Kong protests, and between police repression now and in China in 1989, but agrees with Mark Twain that ‘history doesn’t repeat itself’.
Author Jeff Wasserstrom, a University of California professor, draws comparisons between 2014 and 2019 Hong Kong protests, and between police repression now and in China in 1989, but agrees with Mark Twain that ‘history doesn’t repeat itself’.
Men’s underwear and swimwear targeting gay men is nothing new in the West, but now newcomers based in Asia like Tight Tams and U-Touch are making forays into this niche industry with often daring and colourful designs.
Men’s underwear and swimwear targeting gay men is nothing new in the West, but now newcomers based in Asia like Tight Tams and U-Touch are making forays into this niche industry with often daring and colourful designs.
From Lung King Heen’s burdock and snow fungus pudding with red dates and jasmine to Cuisine Cuisine’s ginger honey and sea coconut pudding, here are some of the newest Chinese New Year puddings available in Hong Kong.
From Lung King Heen’s burdock and snow fungus pudding with red dates and jasmine to Cuisine Cuisine’s ginger honey and sea coconut pudding, here are some of the newest Chinese New Year puddings available in Hong Kong.
Valeria Piccini, the chef-owner of Michelin two-star Caino, in Tuscany, grew up around food and has always loved cooking.
Valeria Piccini, the chef-owner of Michelin two-star Caino, in Tuscany, grew up around food and has always loved cooking.
Hisato Hamada, the chef and co-founder of the Tokyo and Hong Kong restaurants, talks about his circuitous route to cooking.
Hisato Hamada, the chef and co-founder of the Tokyo and Hong Kong restaurants, talks about his circuitous route to cooking.
Eelke Plasmeijer, the chef and co-owner of Locavore, in Ubud, has found his happy place in Bali.
Eelke Plasmeijer, the chef and co-owner of Locavore, in Ubud, has found his happy place in Bali.
Chinatown restaurants in Canada sell fried rice, chow mein and chop suey – dishes with a long and rich history behind them, even if they aren’t authentically Chinese.
Chinatown restaurants in Canada sell fried rice, chow mein and chop suey – dishes with a long and rich history behind them, even if they aren’t authentically Chinese.
Chef Nate Green was drinking heavily to deal with the stress of owning a restaurant in Hong Kong. Since he closed Rhoda and started working for other restaurants, Green is drinking less, working out, and eating and sleeping better.
Chef Nate Green was drinking heavily to deal with the stress of owning a restaurant in Hong Kong. Since he closed Rhoda and started working for other restaurants, Green is drinking less, working out, and eating and sleeping better.
Five restaurants that opened in 2019 – Louise at PMQ, Roganic, and L’Envol and Run at the St Regis in Hong Kong, each with one star, and Andre Chiang’s Sichuan Moon in Macau, with two – win recognition in new Michelin Guide, while Uwe Opocensky earns Petrus first star.
Five restaurants that opened in 2019 – Louise at PMQ, Roganic, and L’Envol and Run at the St Regis in Hong Kong, each with one star, and Andre Chiang’s Sichuan Moon in Macau, with two – win recognition in new Michelin Guide, while Uwe Opocensky earns Petrus first star.
Online censorship is rife on Chinese social media platforms like Weibo and WeChat, but one University of Hong Kong team is tracking deleted posts, preserving them and looking for patterns to determine why they were removed.
Online censorship is rife on Chinese social media platforms like Weibo and WeChat, but one University of Hong Kong team is tracking deleted posts, preserving them and looking for patterns to determine why they were removed.
Lam Shu-kam, founder of design studio AllRightsReserved, brought Florentijn Hofman’s giant rubber duck to Hong Kong, as well as Kaws’ Companion and Paulo Grangeon’s 1,600 pandas. More recently he has turned to Japanese artists.
Lam Shu-kam, founder of design studio AllRightsReserved, brought Florentijn Hofman’s giant rubber duck to Hong Kong, as well as Kaws’ Companion and Paulo Grangeon’s 1,600 pandas. More recently he has turned to Japanese artists.
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