Published alongside the Observer Food Monthly Awards 2019, this short film placed Guirong Wei’s own story at the centre of the recognition surrounding Master Wei.
The video looks back at Guirong’s early years in professional kitchens, beginning with her culinary training in Xi’an, where she was one of only four women at her cookery school. She later became a female head chef in Xi’an before moving to Britain and building a new chapter of her career around the food of her hometown.
For Guirong, the film captured a part of her journey that went beyond restaurants and reviews. It highlighted the determination behind her career and the path that eventually led to Master Wei being named Best Newcomer at the Observer Food Monthly Awards, while bringing greater visibility to both women in professional kitchens and the food culture of Xi’an.