China Tang at The Dorchester celebrating 20th anniversary with literary supper club series
China Tang at The Dorchester will mark its 20th anniversary with the launch of a literary supper club series in collaboration with EA Festival, in October. The three-part event, which runs until March 2026, will feature author talks followed by curated Cantonese dinners in the restaurant’s private dining rooms. The aim is to explore themes of Chinese identity, culture and cuisine, continuing the late Sir David Tang’s vision of blending gastronomy with cultural dialogue.
The first instalment on 7th October will feature Candice Chung, author of Chinese Parents Don’t Say “I Love You”. The Glasgow-based writer and food journalist will discuss her memoir, which delves into the unspoken expressions of love in East Asian families. Chung says of her book, “I chart my attempt to reconnect with my estranged parents over shared dinners and cultural touchpoints.”
On 3rd February 2026, China Tang will welcome historian Paul French, author of Wallis Simpson: Her Lotus Year, who will speak on Simpson’s lesser-known time in 1920s Shanghai – a period he describes as marked by “scandal, opium, espionage and transformation”. Finally, for the third soirée on 17th March 2026, Fuchsia Dunlop will discuss Invitation to a Banquet, which examines the complexities and cultural significance of Chinese cuisine. Dunlop’s work seeks to challenge Western misconceptions and reposition Chinese food as a sophisticated culinary tradition.
Each evening will begin at 6.30pm with a welcome cocktail, followed by an author talk and Q&A session at 7pm. A specially designed dinner, inspired by the featured book and paired with wine and Chinese tea, will be served from 8.15pm. Tickets are priced at £108 per person to include the full programme, and books will also be available for purchase and signing on the night.
The literary supper club forms part of a wider cultural programme commemorating China Tang’s two decades at The Dorchester. Further initiatives include a soft refurbishment of the restaurant and a forthcoming collaboration with fashion designer Huishan Zhang. Since its opening in 2005, China Tang has been recognised for its Cantonese cuisine and interiors inspired by 1930s Shanghai. The restaurant was founded by Sir David Tang, who passed away in 2017, and is now operated by Lai Sun Dining.
Food Desk
For further information about the Literary Supper Club Series at China Tang at The Dorchester, 53 Park Lane, London W1K 1QA, or to book tickets, visit here.
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