When a restaurant has been part of London life for more than two decades, a new head chef is less about reinvention than about keeping faith with the regulars. That is the message from China Tang at The Dorchester, which has appointed Henry Lam as head chef.
Lam brings more than 25 years of experience in Cantonese cooking and luxury hospitality to the Mayfair restaurant. He honed his craft at Shang Palace at Shangri-La Singapore and went on to senior roles at The Colony Club in Mayfair, Hakkasan and Canton Blue at The Peninsula London.
Continuity first
China Tang says the appointment reflects a commitment to continuity: guests will still find the signature dishes, standards and service the Art Deco restaurant is known for. Lam’s cooking is rooted in traditional Cantonese technique, from wok hei and carefully prepared stocks to precise knife work, with a considered use of seasonal ingredients.
“China Tang has a remarkable identity and a loyal following built over more than two decades,” Lam said.
Nathalie Ford, VP Europe and Middle East for China Tang, said: “China Tang has always been about creating moments that stay with you. Chef Henry shares our commitment to preserving the dishes, care and sense of occasion our guests know and love, and brings more than 25 years of Cantonese experience to our kitchen.”
Canapés for events, in and out of the restaurant
The more noticeable change for diners is a new canapé menu built for private and corporate occasions. It features dishes not usually on the main menu and is available for events in China Tang’s private dining rooms or the Bar, as well as at private homes, corporate settings and external venues.
There are 11 canapés, including Black Truffle Morel Spring Rolls, Sesame Prawn Toast, a Crispy Garlic and Seafood Cone, an Iberico Pork Cha Siu Skewer and Crispy Skin Chicken with Ginger and Scallion Salsa. Plant-based options include Chinese Sour Plum Cherry Tomato, Spicy Aubergine Cone, Crispy Ma Po Tofu and a Sweet and Sour King Oyster Mushroom Tart.
Guests can choose four, six, eight or ten canapés, at £32, £48, £60 and £70 per person.
Ford said the offer means guests “can now bring that same experience, the food, the care, the attention to every detail, to their own homes, celebrations and events.”
What it means for diners
For regulars, the promise is that little will change at the table. For hosts planning a Christmas party or a corporate reception, it opens up a well-known Cantonese kitchen for events at home or elsewhere. Mayfair has no shortage of big names, as our guide to choosing between Gordon Ramsay’s London restaurants shows, and Chinese food in the capital keeps finding new forms, from fine dining to the Chinatown Bakery’s new look.
China Tang is at The Dorchester in Mayfair. Details and image via China Tang.
