Need more luck? Try these 5 Chinese Lunar New Year's Experiences

2012 was a totally colourful, exciting and vibrant year as soon as it was January 23rd, 2012. That day marked the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, or more appropriately, Asian Lunar New Year (as the Taiwanese and Vietnamese communities also celebrate this festival to end all festivals).  On that day, we all welcomed the fast-paced Year of the Dragon, where the proverb to live by is: "Better to do it than miss it."  Dragon years are typically filled with opportunities knocking on your door! If you missed a few golden opportunities in 2012, I have good news for you: the Year of the Dragon ends on February 9th, 2013. You still have a wee bit of time to make the most of this auspicious year!  Now that you're on a lucky roll, here's the next good news: you have five ways or opportunities to get lucky! Yes, it's so simple too.  I kick-off celebrating A Taste of the World's 20th anniversary with my annual Chinese New Year celebrations five different ways, while bidding adieu to the intensely active Year of the Dragon and welcoming the reflective Year of the Water Snake, where the Chinese proverb to live by is: "If you have foresight, you are blessed, but if you have insight, you are a thousand times blessed."  Ready to find out what the Year of the Snake holds in store for you?

*** Try these Lucky Chinese New Year's Experiences  ***

Whether you're a Foodie, who love food tours that involve noshing while popping into various venues for the essential festive ingredients and symbolic decorative/gift items over the three exciting festive periods, or you're a food lover, who prefers a completely sit-down banquet experience to start/wrap the festivities, you'll submerge yourself with the rich symbolism, rituals, and superstitions as hostess/ Culinary Historian, Shirley Lum.  There will be equal portions of food for thought, palate and all the senses at all five occasions.

1. Preparatory Period of Chinese New Year's Eve Food Tours 

    February 1st, 2nd, 3d, 8th (Sold Out), 9th, 2013  

    10:00 am - 1:30 pm

* Foodies, who love food tours you'll love the thrill of the Preparatory week prior to the curtains going up for Chinese Lunar NewYear's Eve. You're going behind-the-scene for the festive party food items/ingredients, decorations, items you might need to replenish/replace to receive and give the Good Luck of the New Year.
* Focus on preparatory timeline/countdown for cleaning home, & personal grooming
* Chinese Horoscope book for remainder of Year of the Dragon will be used at the hosted dim sum
* Space availability: 11 spots per day to ensure quality experience

Fees (incl food + non-alcoholic drinks; $CAD): Adult $45.00 SR/ST (ID)$40.00 Child (3-12yrs old) $30.00

2. Celebratory Period of Chinese New Year's Eve & Day Food Tours 
   February 10th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 2013  
    10:00 am - 1:30 pm 

Join in on the spirit of celebration, and find out what the Year of the Water Snake has in store for your Chinese animal sign over hosted New Year dim sum, a luncheon to please all the senses! Your guide will order a healthy dim sum with harmonious blending of the five elements – colour, aroma, flavour, shape and texture – a principle that applies to the making of each individual dish as much as to the dim sum meal as a whole. NOTES: Do NOT eat breakfast prior to tour. Private tours/talks, available weekdays for schools and groups. Book now to avoid disappointment, space is limited.

* Only on February 10th tour: Symbolic New Year dim sum items will be the key attractions of the hosted dim sum experience as we crack open the Year of the Snake horoscope book to get the most of the year
* Lion Dances in the streets of Toronto's second Chinatown - high chances of encounter on February 15th, 16th & 17th - the rituals will be explained by your guide/host
* Visit to grocery store, BBQ & bakery to shed light symbolic items needed to be served over this period (plus tastings)
Fees (incl food + non-alcoholic drinks; $CAD): Adult $45.00 SR/ST (ID)$40.00 Child (3-12yrs old) $30.00

3. Grand Finale of Chinese New Year's Food Tours: Lantern Festival 
    February 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 2013 
    10:00 am - 1:30 pm 
The Lantern Festival or Big New Year, on the 15th day of the first moon, dates from the rule of the Emperor Ming (58-75 AD) of the Han Dynasty, and formally ends the New Year celebrations. This marks the return of the spring light and the lengthening of the day. Traditionally, lanterns were lit in homes and temples. Children were bedazzled by the spectacular processions of exquisite silk and paper lanterns in every shape and form in the dark streets. At the end of each procession a glorious dragon, usually carried by at least a dozen men, dances to the deafening rhythms of cymbals, drums and red firecrackers.  Traditionally, Tang Yuan - delicious little sweet or savoury glutinous rice dumplings are savoured. Your guide will order a healthy dim sum with harmonious blending of the five elements – colour, aroma, flavour, shape and texture – a principle that applies to the making of each individual dish as much as to the dim sum meal as a whole. NOTES: Do NOT eat breakfast prior to tour. Private tours/talks, available weekdays for schools and groups. Book now to avoid disappointment, space is limited.
* The wrap-up of this fantastic 15-days festival ends with the hunt for lanterns on the streets, in shops, and eateries (no surprise) and more food!
* The grocery tour will include the bi-lingual shopping lists, and we'll look for the dumplings you can buy and take home! 
* Hosted dim sum will include a variety of dishes varying in textures, colours and flavours. Chopsticks & tea pouring etiquettes will be reviewed; beginners to advanced chopstick users welcomed! 
Fees (incl food + non-alcoholic drinks; $CAD): Adult $45.00 SR/ST (ID)$40.00 Child (3-12yrs old) $30.00


4. A Taste of the World's 6th Annual Chinese New Year's Eve 11-course Banquet Dinner
     Saturday February 9th, 2013  
     6:00-8:00pm  hosted by Culinary Historian, Shirley Lum
     Location: Taste of China Seafood Restaurant

Foodies unite!  Savour the opportunity to experience an authentic communal Chinese New Year’s Eve banquet hosted by Culinary Historian, Shirley Lum.  Traditionally it’s restricted to immediate family members, hosted at home, and all 8-12 lavish dishes cooked by the Matriarch. Now, an increasing number of aging Chinese Matriarchs are relinquishing cooking the numerous courses to restaurant chefs. Join us as we embrace this emerging trend. It will be an evening of equal portions of food and facts, as Shirley shed light on old and new customs, plus superstitions throughout the evening. Novice banquet attendees will appreciate the tips on how to pace themselves to enjoy the banquet to the fullest, and all guests will love the stories behind the auspicious names of the decadent dishes. What will the Year of the Snake hold for your Chinese animal sign? Pre-Register now and find out!

Six years ago, my family chose to give my mom the long deserved break from shopping, preparing and cooking (marathon dish/pots washing was relegated to us kids). My mom now plays a very important role in this fabulous feast: she gets to approve the menu and to transcribe it. Make her day after the feast, Tell her how much you loved the whole feast! Bon appetite! 

Chinese New Year's Eve 2013 MENU
* Crab Meat & Fish Maw Soup
* Stir-Fried Lightly Battered Jumbo Shrimps
* Phoenix Nest w/ Seafood Medley & Vegetables
* Whole Crispy Chicken with flavoured Salt/pepper & Shrimp Chips 
* Pork Chops w/ House BBQ sauce
* Four Treasure Braised Vegetables
* Double Lobsters with Ginger, Garlic & Green Onion
* Whole Steamed Fish
* E-Mein (Noodles)
* Yeungchow Fried Rice
* Traditional Sweet Soup & Chinese Fortune Cookies

Fees: $58.00 per person OR $500.00 a table of 10

Note: Pre-registration and Payment to hold your spot(s): 
Call (416) 923-6813 or info@TorontoWalksBikes.com and we will confirm availability by email. 
Payment by cash or cheque payable to "A Taste of the World".



5. A Taste of the World's 1st Annual Lantern Festival 9-course Banquet Dinner
    Saturday February 23rd, 2013  
    6:00-8:00 pm  hosted by Culinary Historian, Shirley Lum 

NEW! In 2013,  I am launching the 1st Annual Lantern Festival Banquet after several requests by past guests of the popular Chinese New Year's Eve banquets. The Lantern Festival or Big New Year, on the 15th day of the first moon, dates from the rule of the Emperor Ming (58-75 AD) of the Han Dynasty, and formally ends the New Year celebrations. This marks the return of the spring light and the lengthening of the day. Traditionally, lanterns were lit in homes and temples. Children were bedazzled by the spectacular processions of exquisite silk and paper lanterns in every shape and form in the dark streets. At the end of each procession a glorious dragon, usually carried by at least a dozen men, dances to the deafening rhythms of cymbals, drums and red firecrackers.  Traditionally, Tang Yuan - delicious little sweet or savoury glutinous rice dumplings are savoured. 

Location: Taste of China Seafood Restaurant 

1st Annual Lantern Festival MENU 2013:
* Crab Meat & Fish Maw Soup
* Scallop with Meat
* Stir-fried Lightly Battered Big Tiger Shrimps
* Crispy Whole Chicken with Flavoured Salt/Pepper & 
Shrimp Chips
* Traditionally Braised dish of Tofu, Meat & Vegetables
* Double Lobsters with Ginger, Garlic & Green Onions
* Steamed Whole Fish
* Steamed Rice
* Traditional Sweet Dessert Soup & Fortune Cookies 

Fees: $50.00 per person OR $470.00 a table of 10

Note: Pre-registration and Payment to hold your spot(s): 

Call (416) 923-6813 or info@TorontoWalksBikes.com and we will confirm availability by email. 

Payment by cash or cheque payable to "A Taste of the World".

Feeling the good luck coming your way yet?  Don't wait until the last minute to purchase your E-Ticket(s), as space is limited at each event to ensure an intimate and quality experience.   To avoid being disappointed, book now by calling our office or dropping us an email, as we did sell out the Chinese New Year's Eve food tour scheduled for February 8th  even before 2012 ended!  I look forward to hearing from you, and having you at one of food tours and/or at one of the tables set for the banquets! 

Happy New Year!

Gung Hei Fatt Choi  in Cantonese 

or

Gong Xi Fa Cai in Mandarin

or 

Chuc Mung Nam Mui in Vietnamese