A researched professional record. Inclusion does not confirm representation, availability or interest in a new project.
At a glance
Li Qiang is Chef de Cuisine of Cai Yi Xuan at Four Seasons Beijing. Born in Tianjin, he worked in several Beijing and Tianjin kitchens before joining Four Seasons in 2012 as sous chef. His official biography names Tan Jinqiang as a mentor and Lu Yiming as an important professional connection.[1] [2]
Cooking & identity
His own account emphasises traditional foundations, seasonal produce and simple presentation, drawing on Cantonese, Beijing, Tianjin and Chaozhou influences. Mentorship, kitchen management and the detail of cooking are linked parts of that account.[1]
Why this profile is included
Included for a guide-recognised Beijing Cantonese kitchen, a documented resident chef’s career and two separately announced Bangkok–Beijing exchanges in 2026.[1] [2]
Independent observations
ChefsLanding · · Editorial commentary on the public record
A chef’s biography becomes useful when it names who taught him and where he worked. Li’s record gives us those details. It is a relief to find a path through actual kitchens rather than a paragraph saying a man has always possessed a passion for excellence.
The promise of tradition-based innovation is best read at the stove: what does he keep, and what can he change without losing the dish? His exchanges with another Cantonese kitchen give us a practical reason to follow that question.
Recent developments
Collaborations & guest appearances
3 collaboration projects · 2 within the two-year research window
Projects are deduplicated: multiple nights, venues or reports do not automatically become separate collaborations. Food-and-drink events and shared festival appearances are labelled by format.
Li Qiang × Tommy Cheung · Beijing
Cai Yi Xuan, Four Seasons Beijing · Beijing
Scheduled date passed · announcement
Participants / partners
Li Qiang / Cai Yi Xuan · Tommy Cheung / Yu Ting YuanA separate hotel announcement scheduled Tommy Cheung visiting Cai Yi Xuan on 29–30 May. This Beijing project is distinct from the March Bangkok engagement; multiple services within each visit remain one project.[3]
Li Qiang × Tommy Cheung · Bangkok
Yu Ting Yuan, Four Seasons Bangkok · Bangkok
Scheduled date passed · announcement
Participants / partners
Li Qiang / Cai Yi Xuan · Tommy Cheung / Yu Ting YuanFour Seasons Bangkok announced Li Qiang visiting Tommy Cheung at Yu Ting Yuan for two spring dinners. Northern Chinese references and contemporary Cantonese cooking form the stated theme.[4]
Li Qiang × Chan Yan Tak × Wang Yong
Cai Yi Xuan, Four Seasons Beijing · Beijing
Scheduled date passed · announcement
Participants / partners
Li Qiang / Cai Yi Xuan · Chan Yan Tak / Lung King Heen · Wang Yong / Jin ShaThe hotel announced a7November 2019 dinner at Cai Yi Xuan with Li Qiang, Lung King Heen’s Chan Yan Tak and Jin Sha’s Wang Yong. The original announcement is retained as historical evidence.[5]
Career & milestones
- Early life
Grew up in Tianjin in a family where cooking and professional chef friendships shaped his interest in food.[1]
- Earlier kitchens
Worked at Jin Jiang Hui at Beijing’s Kunlun Hotel, Tian Di Yi Jia, and Tianjin’s Yu Chi Huang and Chao Zhou Xuan; the biography does not supply individual appointment dates.[1]
- Mentorship
The official biography identifies Tan Jinqiang’s mentorship in technique and kitchen management.[1] [2]
- 2012-09–2013-12
Served as Sous Chef of Cai Yi Xuan from September 2012 to December 2013.[2]
- 2014-01–current
The Chinese official biography dates his appointment as Chef de Cuisine from January 2014.[2]
- Current role / 2026
The current team page lists him as Chef de Cuisine;2026 collaboration releases identify him as the visiting or hosting chef.[1] [3] [4]
Recognition over time
Restaurant ratings and individual honours are listed separately. Editorial profiles are labelled as coverage.
No personal award has yet been verified for this record. Restaurant distinctions are listed on the connected venue profile.
Sources & dates
Public biographies, restaurant statements and named projects checked on 4 November 2026. Exact employment dates and unreported engagements may remain unavailable.
- press.fourseasons.com · Li Qiang · official career and cooking philosophy ↗Checked 2026-11-04
- press.fourseasons.com · 李强 · 官方中文岗位及任期 ↗Checked 2026-11-04
- press.fourseasons.com · Cai Yi Xuan × Yu Ting Yuan · Beijing programme ↗Published 2026-05-15 · Checked 2026-11-04
- press.fourseasons.com · Yu Ting Yuan × Cai Yi Xuan · Bangkok spring programme ↗Checked 2026-11-04
- press.fourseasons.com · Cai Yi Xuan ·2019 three-chef collaboration ↗Published 2019-10-28 · Checked 2026-11-04