The Best of Chengdu · 2018 Chengdu-Expat Awards Winners

The winners are in! After a month full of nominations, voting and the judges – we can finally reveal who you chose to celebrate this year in the city! For the 2018 Chengdu-Expat Awards, we partnered with DiDi English Version as we couldn’t think of anyone better that had the lowdown on where your favourite places to go in the city are.

This year, 30% of the vote was decided by judges from Chengdu’s International community. There were 3 requirements; they had to be in Chengdu for 4 years or more, have expertise in their category and love living in the city.

The majority of the vote of course went to you. The people who make up the very fabric of Chengdu’s complicated weave. The people that keep the restaurants, hotels, bars and community doors open daily. So, who did you chose?

Best Hotel – Andaman Village

Judged by Sonam Gyaltsen. Restauranteur and travel agency owner, Sonam was born in Nepal and raised in NYC. 

Runners Up

1st Runner-up | The Temple House

2nd Runner-up | The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu

Best Cocktail Bar – Revolucion Cocktail Chengdu

Judged by Marlon Anastasio Sulindro.  Marlon has 8 years experience in Chengdu, is a qualified sommelier and cocktail maker. He is currently assistant Director of Operations at Manhattan Club & Restaurant.

Runners Up

1st Runner-up | JING Bar | The Temple House

2nd Runner-up | Lotus

Best Wine Bar – Le Coq Au Vin

Judged by Yingxia Hu (Cassie). Cassie is currently The Temple House’s certified sommelier. She was “China’s 2018 Best Sommerlier in the competition of French wine” and the first runner-up in “Asia’s Best Sommerlier Comeptition of French Wine 2018”. 

Runners Up

1st Runner-up | La Cave

2nd Runner-up | Vinoteka

Best Beer Bar – Foam Ranger Taproom

Judged by 老姜 LaoJiang. President, Chengdu Craft Beer Association.

Runners Up

1st Runner-up | The Beer Nest 1

2nd Runner-up | Nanmen Craft Brewery

Best American Restaurant – Home Plate

Judged by Rachel Wethers. Louisiana born, Creole soul food cook Rachel – has 5 years experience in Chengdu. She is the owner of Chengdu Restaurant Review and runs regular American soul food takeovers at venues around the city. 

1st Runner-up | Mike’s Pizza Kitchen

2nd Runner-up | Peter’s Tex Mex

Best European Restaurant –  Gli Azzurri

Judged by Diane Sonam. Intense TCK foodie who loves exploring and trying and sometimes failing to understand the dynamic city she calls home. She has over 12 years experience living in Chengdu. 

1st Runner-up | Munchwich Café & Eatery

2nd Runner-up | Bucciano, Wine & Dine Italian Restaurant

Best Asian Restaurant – Kathmandu Restaurant

Judged by Harriet Sheffer. Harri is the General Manager of Chengdu-Expat and former Pan-Asian private chef with experience in Michelin Kitchens. 

1st Runner-up | The Diner

2nd Runner-up | Cacaja/ Spice Magic Indian Restaurant

Best Café Bakery – Munchwich Café & Eatery

Judged by Flora Boillot. Cultural Attachée – General Consulate of France in Chengdu. 

1st Runner-up | Origins Coffee Company

2nd Runner-up | Wheat & Baker

Best Delivery Service – Munchwich Café & Eatery

Judged by Shaz. With almost 8 years experience livingin Chengdu, this famed foodie reckons there aren’t many international eateries he is yet to try.

1st Runner-up | Mike’s Pizza

2nd Runner-up | Rob’s MVP Pizza & Arcade

Hospitality of the Year – Irfan (The Sultan Middle Eastern Restaurant)

Judged by Dieter Vanonckelen. Founder of Chengdu-Expat.com and 9 years experience living in the city.

1st Runner-up | Sogyal & Nori (Kathmandu)

2nd Runner-up | Maggie (Tim’s Bar-B-Q)

Event of the Year – 2018 Chengdu Holiday Bazaar

Judged by Ben Metcalf. Formerly the GM of the British Chamber of Commerce South West China and currently the General Manager China of BGTA, Ben is no stranger at planning events. He was previously the organiser of Burns Night, British Day, regular Inter-Chambers Mixers and Young Profressional Mixers. 

1st Runner-up | Jellyfish Beach Party

2nd Runner-up | Startup Grind Christmas Party

Best Reoccurring Event – Chengdu Animal Rescue’s Fundraisers

Judged by Jean-Sebastien Laurenson. Jean has 10 years experience living in Chengdu.  He is the founder and manager of several start-ups in China (Plan B, E4-Events, Ilusio), and also an active partners in some of Chengdu F&B popular venues, as well as the South West of China’s French Chamber of Commerce representative (CCIFC).

Runners Up

1st Runner-up | Mama Rachel’s Kitchen Takeovers

2nd Runner-up | Orange Community

Best Sporting Community – CIFL -Chengdu International Football League

Judged by Richie. Sports fan and keen athlete, Rich has organised weekly meet-ups for both the international and Chinese community for four years in the city and is a die-hard WMD player and supporter. 

1st Runner-up | K2Fit

2nd Runner-up | B Active Fitness

Best Newcomer – Kathmandu.

Judged by Kasia Wilkowiecka, Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chengdu. 

Runners Up

1st Runner-up | Yalla Yalla

2nd Runner-up | Gili’s Restaurant & Bar

Best Nightclub – Jellyfish

Judged by Shane, Music Director / club owner (soon to be) / Single. 

1st Runner-up | Propaganda

2nd Runner-up | .TAG

Restaurant Most Visited By DiDi English – Peter’s Tex-Mex Grill

Between January 1st 2018 and December 31st 2018

People’s Choice Awards – Rob’s MVP Pizza, Subs and Arcade

The company that received the most nominations, and votes across all categories through out the awards.

A huge thank you to all the companies, people and communities, who took part in this year’s Chengdu-Expat awards. It’s great to be apart of such an active community, who work hard to bring great things to the city we call home.