SIRI & ANN

MYbarre Fitness Founders

Interview by Ned Kelly

Siri Nordheim arrived in China from Denmark in 2011 and has been teaching dance, fitness and the MYbarre program ever since. Well known in the fitness community as a partner and the face of Z&B Fitness, the instructor and mother of three has a personal commitment to being healthy and staying active.

Ann MacLellan also arrived in China in 2011. Hailing from Scotland, she studied sports management and has worked in the health and fitness industry for more than 20 years as a group exercise instructor. She has taught a number of programs including barre, spinning, TRX, bootcamp and HIIT circuit style classes. Additionally, she worked for many years in the sales & marketing and operations side of the industry, opening health clubs and building membership bases.

What is MYbarre? It is a group exercise class in the studio, a full body workout inspired by the ballet and pilates movements combined with functional fitness training. Students will feel powerful yet elegant in this cardio and sculpting workout that is high in energy and low in impact.

How did MYbarre Fitness come about? We both had been teaching various barre programs in our fitness careers and we worked together at Z&B Fitness teaching classes. We found the industry was changing fast in China and the students wanted something more.

The trainers who taught barre here also didn’t have access to any continued education to develop their moves or choreography from the basic qualifications. We met over a coffee one day and spoke about our frustrations. The result was MYbarre which is a fitness program for students, but also an instructor training program in English and Chinese with continued education.

What social media platforms are you on? We have a MYbarre official account on WeChat where we update all our training info and fitness event news. We also have Xiaohongshu and BiliBili.

How do you tailor content for the different platforms? Currently we create workouts for BiliBili that are 15-45 minutes long. We make our Xiaohongshu workouts shorter in duration, and often focus on one body part or the end result.

How do you go about building a following? It has been very organic growth since we started in August with one basic MYbarre workout on BiliBili to introduce some basic moves. We wanted the viewer to feel the benefits of the workout and it has more than 15,000 views to date. From that we started to upload every Saturday and grow our audience.

We listen to what people want in the comments; the length of workout they want, whether they want to work their booty or improve their posture, etc. And we create the content in response to this.

We often break down each workout into 5-8 minute sections and we both teach in every workout to keep the energy high. The workouts are pretty tough to film and host.

That said, our highest viewed video has more than 32,000 hits on a 35 minute workout. Our 25-35 minute workouts seem to be the most popular, as I think that viewers can easily fit this workout into their day. It’s a fast and efficient way to do their barre session, and if they are consistent they really see great results.

We have uploaded some great general workouts as well as some focused on specific body parts like booty blaster or abs sculptor.

What tips do you have for someone new to Chinese social media? Although Siri speaks enough Chinese to be able to upload what we want and create text content around it, we have a social media manager to help us. We would definitely recommend having someone who reads and speaks Chinese fluently to help you kick it off. It’s great to have someone help you get it right. Also, find something that you are passionate about and want to share with others. New and exciting content is the best. Look at the trends and what people are searching for.

What kind of people and groups do you collaborate with? We love to collaborate with other brands that have a passion for women’s fitness and promote and create strong-minded real women. For our social media videos right now we work with MAIA active. We love to workout in their clothes and they are really evolving with the new fitness market in China.

Any exciting plans for the future? This year we can’t wait to bring more workouts to our social media platforms, run some in-person fitness events and parties and, of course, build our MYbarre Instructor community. 2022 will be a great year for us and we are excited to plié, pulse and passé our way into this new year with our existing and new followers.

> To follow MYbarre Fitness on WeChat search ‘MYbarre’ or scan the QR:

Six of Shanghai’s Best Amateur Photographers

Interviews by Ned Kelly

SHANGHAI SIX

Here’s how running the That’s Shanghai Instagram account works: users hashtag their images #thatsshanghai and we pick out the best of them to ‘regram’, tagging the original photographer.

In the process, we found ourselves reposting some absolutely stunning photos of the city and beyond. The more we did it, the more we noticed we were regramming photos from the same accounts over and over again.

We decided to reach out to these budding stars of the Shanghai photography community, learn a little bit more about them and their methods and, of course, share their incredible work. Here are six of the very best, and you’ll be able to find even more (as well as the full interviews) on thatsmags.com over the coming months, and hopefully years. Keep on Grammin!

MIKE

@mikeonthebeach_sh

Shanghai residents might know Mike as the owner-chef of French restaurant Cuivre on Huaihai Road. What they might not know is that he is also a keen photographer.

How did you get into photography? I bought my first Reflex camera when I was 18 because I was traveling a lot. I got really addicted to landscape and cityscape about 10 years ago when I purchased my first DSLR.

How do you choose where to shoot? I am a world traveler and an urban explorer; I like to discover gems within the city and think outside of the box. Photos need to have a meaning to me, so every one of my photos has a personal story.

What do you look for in a photograph? For cityscapes, I like to shoot at night when the city starts to shine and glow. For landscapes, I love to shoot during sunrise.

How is the Instagram community in Shanghai and China? I think it’s a great community! I’m always connecting with new people on Instagram to get information on interesting locations, especially when I’m traveling to places in China I’ve never visited before. I’m very happy to help others who connect with me when they are looking for a new spot to shoot in Shanghai too.

If you could shoot a place you haven’t shot yet, where would it be? I would love to photograph the Yellow Mountains during winter. The first time I fell in love with China was through a photo I saw before I even came to the country.

Captions

1. Wukang Building I shot this photo during the early days of the COVID-19 epidemic when the streets were still quiet. It is usually a very complicated place to shoot because it has become such an Instagram photo attraction and is always crowded.

2. Lujiazui at Night I’ve shot Lujiazui so many times! But to be able to shoot it during a perfect dark night without the clouds and with the last cruise passing by was awesome.

3. Hangzhou Lake This is what I enjoy the most in photography: being alone at 5am and shooting people that are starting work. It is so calm and peaceful. 4. Chongqing Bridge Chongqing is one of my favorite cities to shoot. I went back there this summer. The colors are vibrant and there are colorful bridges everywhere. For this photo I was trying to enhance it using some Photoshop techniques.

5. Brothers I love when a photo tells a story. This photo was shot this year during the seven year anniversary of Union Trading Company, when Yao was behind the bar and our dear friend Austin was looking after him. Priceless.

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ALESSIO

@_alexi0s_

Italian Alessio moved to Shanghai in 2014. After graduating in Architecture, he relocated to China where he switched careers and is now the art director for an events company.

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How did you get into photography? Everything started back in 2012 when Instagram launched. I began sharing some simple pictures taken with my phone. Over time, this hobby turned into a major interest. I went from using my father’s compact camera to buying my own DSLRs and a drone. As for inspiration, social media made me explore others’ work, which motivated me to reach new levels. Through practice and constant learning, it made me want to explore the world and travel more. It also led me to take a lot of photos and to start taking portraits, which I share on my second account @shotsbyalexi0s.

How do you choose where to shoot? Each time is a different adventure and a new story to tell. Sometimes I walk without a destination and sometimes my friends know interesting spots and they invite me along. When I want some sought-after place, I use Chinese social media to get information.

What do you look for in a photograph? Mostly composition, balance, and colors If the photograph has a story to tell, that’s the photo I like the most.

What advice would you give someone trying to build an Instagram account? There are no established rules. Choose what you want to do, set down your style and interact! Not because it’ll bring more likes or followers, but it’ll create a chance to meet people, to learn or teach with them, and to be inspired or inspire others. It’s not easy, but it’s definitely possible.

Captions:

1 It was November during the China International Import Exposition in Shanghai. I’d heard about a light show happening on the Bund. One afternoon I went to Zhapu bridge. It was 5pm, and there were already so many people with cameras and tripods. I think I waited there for an hour or more. After the first show I realized I was in the wrong place to take the picture I wanted, so I rushed to the main promenade on the Bund, set my camera and shot around 2,000 pictures.

2 I shot this a long time ago. After purchasing my drone, I did a bit of self training and then one day I decided to fly above the big intersection in Shanghai in the night. I still remember how much my hands were shaking, and the moment when I lost the signal, but what impressed me more was what I was seeing through my screen. It felt like a movie scene.

3 One of my dreams was to take a photo above the clouds in Shanghai. I tried several times, waking up early in the morning to fly my drone. I don’t know if my tenacity got rewarded or if I just got lucky – I couldn’t believe when I crossed that layer of clouds.

4 This one was taken the same day I got the low clouds shot. I joined a sunrise photowalk on the Bund, and then around 7am we went to Memorial Tower to take photos of the tai-chi masters. Their movement and their synchronization were beautifully hypnotic, and the iconic Shanghai landmark in the background really completed that moment.

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5 This is one of my favorite shots I’ve ever taken with my drone. I think it was from three years ago; I went flying during the work day right before going to the office. The light of that sunrise was just amazing.

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@yeshinobi SHI YE

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French with Chinese origins, Shi Ye was born in China and then lived his whole life in France before moving to Shanghai in 2012. He started his career working for an engraving machine company, but gradually changed paths and dedicated himself to photography.

How do you choose where to shoot? I prefer to shoot in places that people haven’t seen, especially abandoned places, deserted areas and vast landscapes. To find these places, I browse a lot on social media and get inspiration from other photographers and bloggers. I also like to shoot people’s day-to-day life. For that, I just wander in the city and something captivating always comes up.

What do you look for in a photograph? Firstly, I try to give sense to the photo and seek meaning as a good photograph must tell a story. I also try to find original angles that bring out the perspective of the place I’m shooting. I often play around with the different angles in order to capture an original photograph with an angle that may not have been seen before.

What advice would you give someone trying to build up an Instagram account? Perseverance: always keep taking and posting photos. Another thing to keep in mind is to keep a coherent feed, with the same shades of color or the same theme. I realized that my account was not as clean and as organized as I wanted it to be and part of it was just because I would post all kinds of photographs. Therefore, I created multiple accounts in order to manage and organize my work: one for gastronomy and another one for portraits.

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Captions:

1 This is one of my favorite photos that I have captured. I was at the right time in the right place for this photo. I love the contrast between the luxury of the Peace Hotel and the migrant worker.

2 A shot of the Nanpu Bridge taken from a rooftop. This was taken at the end of the day and we can clearly see the sun’s rays piercing through the clouds.

3 This photograph was taken in the abandoned American Dream Park in Shanghai. My friends posed for me in tribute to The Walking Dead. I also wanted to play with perspective and lights, hence the symmetry and width.

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4 This photo was taken at Hakone Shrine torii gate very early in the morning when the tourists had not yet arrived. It fully captures the mirror-like reflection of the lake and it creates this panoramic view.

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How do you choose where to shoot? Generally, I use satellite maps to scout out an area I am visiting or I am interested in. If I find something that I think is worth looking into, I find time to visit and have a look around. Another way I find location inspirations is to see what others are currently shooting. Then I do some research on the web and see what locations might be good for a shoot. It’s not about going to capture the same photo as others, but to find your own interpretation of the location. And sometimes I just get in the car and drive around and stop if I find something interesting.

What do you look for in a photograph? Recently I have focused mainly on aerial photography as it allows me to be more creative with compositions. I used to love finding symmetry in photography, but am trying to push myself to attempt different compositions or editing styles. Another thing I look for is the lighting conditions. I try to take photos when the light is softer, at sunrise or sunset, as the end photo is usually more peaceful. How is the Instagram community in Shanghai and China? Instagram is a great way to meet fellow photographers in Shanghai and beyond. The community is a hot pot of creative talent. It ranges from young students who are starting out on their photography journey, to elderly citizens walking around Shanghai with their zoom lenses. Shanghai truly does have a large photography community.

What advice would you give someone trying to build up an Instagram account? Firstly, don’t stress about the numbers on your account! Post consistently and make your Instagram account a portfolio of the work you love. Not everyone will love it, but slowly you will find your own cult following.

Another thing is to interact with other like-minded creatives on the platform; it’s a great way to make friends and find or give inspiration.

@xxiamandixx

Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Andi has been living in Shanghai for more than ten years. He currently works in the import-export industry but, two years ago, he got his first drone. The rest, as they say, is history…

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ANDI

Captions:

1 This is one of my first ever drone shots. At the time most of what I could do was topdown photography. This photo was taken in Pudong at the old World Expo site.

2 This image captures the sunset at the Wujiaochang intersection. This photo was taken this year after I had driven past this ‘dome’ several times. After having a look at the satellite image on maps, I thought it would make an interesting photo.

3 One of those epic moments on the Bund during sunrise. Although there was a little haze around, I felt it brought a nice mood to the cityscape. Definitely not easy to get up that early, but it is well worth it. and I was out with my friends for a quick shoot before dinner. The sunset that day was epic! I love the photo I got, but more importantly the memories of that day feel like they were yesterday.”

5 “Having slept outdoors with only a sleeping bag and my camera equipment, I was determined not to miss another opportunity to see the majesty of Mount Fuji. I woke up before sunrise and could not see anything in the distance; clouds covered the entire landscape. Instead of giving up, I thought I would send my drone up to have a look and I was greeted with this sight. A truly memorable moment.”

Shanghainese Jasmine is a 3D game design director. She’s in charge of making models for games and communicating with her Japanese parent company. She got into Instagram and photography during the pandemic, thinking it was a good time to learn something new.

What do you look for in a photograph? I was into street photography before, and I still love it but it was too stressful getting close to people to shoot. So I started taking photos of landscapes. It’s more relaxing and I’m happy I can get beautiful photos. I can also share them with my friends on Instagram. At the end of the day, that’s why we’re on Instagram; exploring the world through each other’s eyes.

What is your favorite place in Shanghai to shoot and why? Lujiazui, with the four iconic high buildings, is an amazing spot to get drone photos. Especially because it’s home to our mother river, the Huangpu. I also love Chenghuang Temple. You can see Lujiazui behind it which combines ancient Chinese architecture with modern buildings.

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JASMINE

Captions:

1 I got up at 4am to take drone photos and, when I left home, I couldn’t see any clouds. I was kind of disappointed when they filled the sky, but when the sunrise got brighter, the clouds were so beautiful. You never know what the future will hold, so just do your best.

2 Chenghuang Temple in Shanghai has a long history. It was built in the Ming Dynasty about 600 years ago. Over the years, the area got built up around it. This was the first time I went there to fly my drone. l’m happy that I found this place and got a different perspective from other people’s photos.

3 I went to fly at Nanpu Bridge in December. I was nervous when the drone first took off because I knew I would need to land it manually. When the drone went higher, and I saw the Huangpu River, I was so excited because it was a scene l’d never seen before. At that moment, I was not nervous at all, and I just flew higher and higher, enjoying the flight. Sadly, it was too bright and I didn’t take an ND filter with me that time. I will definitely return!

4 This photo was shot at the beginning of December. I got my drone in September and this was the first time I could finally capture some autumn vibes. This plane is an early model of a Chinese warplane. It was put in Dongping National Forest Park on Chongming Island after being retired. It is so beautiful with red metasequoia and dawn redwoods cradling it like a sleeping baby. I’m happy I finally got a nice autumnal shot.

RUPANA

@pana_285

Hailing from Bali in Indonesia, Spa therapist Rupana spends his spare time exploring Shanghai and capturing the city in stunning images.

How did you get into photography? When showing friends around, or simply exploring the city, I would choose places that I saw recommended on Instagram. I fell in love with the iconic buildings of Shanghai and the beautiful architecture, so I started to shoot it myself.

What advice would you give someone trying to build up an Instagram account? Keeping supporting each other, learn from what you share and pay attention to design. There are so many good places to explore across China, like Hangzhou, Nanjing, Beijing – the list goes on an on.

Captions

1 One of my best photos at sunset, this was a really nice capture. The birds and the cityscapes were taken in Pudong from Qixia Lu.

2 ≠≠≠≠≠One of those epic moments on the Bund during sunrise. It is not easy to capture a moment like this because normally the Bund is always busy in the

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morning, with people running and on photography walks. I was very lucky that time.

3 One of my favorite shots is sunrise on the Bund. At the time of this photo, the weather was very good. It’s a little bit dark, but I really like it.

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WHO WON WHAT AT THE THAT’S SHANGHAI FOOD & DRINK AWARDS 2021

The results are in, the votes counted, the plaques polished and awarded to their worthy winners – here's the list of bars, restaurants and personalities that scooped prizes at the 19th That's Shanghai Food & Drink Awards, held at WAN MORE.

Thanks to everyone who voted in this year's competition, and another big thank you to our lovely food sponsors Empty Jar, Green Common, OMBRA, CYCLO by Pho To Shop and Bontanical Basket, and to our excellent Italian importer wine sponsor: INTERPROCOM. They helped create a fantastic evening that has gone down in the annals of Food & Drink Awards history.

The Big Ones

Club of the Year

People's Choice: Bar Rouge

Bar of the Year

People's Choice: Union Trading Company

Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

New Club of the Year

Editor's Pick: WAN MORE

New Bar of the Year

People's Choice: Zodiac Editor's Pick: La Mezcaleria

New Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: Klay

Editor's Pick: BONICA

New Exclusive Dining of the Year

People's Choice: Club Whisper

New Entertainment Destination of the Year

People's Choice: Lounge by Topgolf

New Lounge Club of the Year

People's Choice: La Suite

Personalities

Mixologist of the Year

People's Choice: Geo Valdivieso Editor's Pick: Mark Lloyd

Chef of the Year

People's Choice: Baidas Mo Editor's Pick: Lucky Lasagna Editor's Pick: Nikolai Grigorov Editor's Pick: Johnny Qi

Lifetime Achievement Award

Resly Parado Michelle Garnaut

International Restaurants: Western

Burger of the Year

People's Choice: Fat Cow Editor's Pick: Commune Reserve

Editor's Pick: Yugo Grill Editor's Pick: Blue Frog

Taco of the Year

People's Choice: Tacolicious Editor's Pick: Chihuahua

Italian Pizza of the Year

People's Choice: D.O.C. Gastronomia Italiana

Editor's Pick: Alla Torre

Editor's Pick: Azul Italiano

Pizza of the Year

People's Choice: Joe's Pizza Editor's Pick: Homeslice

Editor's Pick: Pizza Street

Mexican Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: TACOS Editor's Pick: Pistolera

Spanish Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: Tomatito Editor's Pick: Mercado 505

Latin American Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: Latina Brazilian Steakhouse Editor's Pick: Azul

French Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: Polux by Paul Pairet

Editor's Pick: Cuivre

Editor's Pick: Le Coquin

French Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: Maison Lameloise

Editor's Pick: Jean-Georges

Italian Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: Mercato by Jean-Georges Editor's Pick: Italo Trattoria

Editor's Pick: Pici

Italian Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: Da Vittorio Editor's Pick: 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana

Brunch of the Year

People's Choice: Colca Editor's Pick: The Bull & Claw

Editor's Pick: Liquid Laundry

Vegan, Vegetarian, Health Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: Duli Editor's Pick: Green Common

Middle Eastern of the Year

People's Choice: Eli Falafel Editor's Pick: Mess

Steakhouse of the Year

People's Choice: El Bodegon Editor's Pick: RAW Eatery & Wood Grill

Rooftop of the Year

People's Choice: POP Rooftop Brasserie & Bar

Editor's Pick: M on the Bund

Contemporary Western Restaurant of the YearPeople's Choice: The Refinery Gastro Bar

Editor's Pick: Money Shops Editor's Pick: Le Daily Editor's Pick: Commune Social

Editor's Pick: Blue Frog

American BBQ of the Year

People's Choice: The Smokehouse x The Camel

Editor's Pick: Cages Editor's Pick: Bubba's Food Co.

Butchery of The Year

People's Choice: SWISS BUTCHERY

International Restaurants: Asian

Thai Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: KIN Urban Thai Kitchen

Editor's Pick: Eldivino Thai

Vietnamese Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: HA TIEN Editor's Pick: Pho To Shop by Cyclo

Southeast Asian Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: THE PAWON Editor's Pick: Urban Café

Indian Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: Bollywood

Indian Restaurant

Editor's Pick: Khan Chacha Bistro & Lounge

Korean Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: Botong Sikdang Editor's Pick: Jeju Izakaya

Japanese Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: XIME Editor's Pick: Hundo Lounge Izakaya

Regional Chinese

Yunnan Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: Lotus Eatery

Sichuan Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: Sichuan Citizen

Xinjiang Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: Xibo Hunan Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: Di Shui Dong

Shanghainese Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: Ye Shanghai Editor's Pick: SILAN

Cantonese Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: Canton Table Editor's Pick: Hakkasan

Editor's Pick: Lotus Moon

Chinese Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: Canton 8

Huaiyang Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: XI TANG YAN Editor's Pick: East Bund 1818

Beverage and Nightlife

Craft Beer Bar of the Year

People's Choice: Mikkeller Tasting Room Editor's Pick: Goose Island Brewhouse

Editor's Pick: Mad Dragon

Tap Room of the Year

People's Choice: Boxing Cat Brewery Editor's Pick: Commune Reserve

Craft Beer Brand of the Year Editor's Pick: Beast of the East

Casual Cocktail Bar of the Year

People's Choice: Botanical Basket

Editor's Pick: Perch

Editor's Pick: Revolving Door

Craft Cocktail Bar of the Year

People's Choice: J. Boroski Editor's Pick: Banana Moon

Sports Bar of the Year

People's Choice: Cages Editor's Pick: Big Bamboo Editor's Pick: Lounge by Topgolf

Live Music Venue of the Year

People's Choice: The Pearl Editor's Pick: JZ Club Editor's Pick: Heyday

Whisky Bar of the Year

People's Choice: Ounce Editor's Pick: Senator Saloon

Wine Bar of the Year

People's Choice: Wine Universe by Little Somms Editor's Pick: Pudao Wines

LGBTQ+ Venue of the Year

People's Choice: HUNT Editor's Pick: Roxie

Hotel Bars & Restaurants

Hotel Shanghainese Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: Dragon Phoenix, Fairmont Peace Hotel Editor's Pick: Oriental House, InterContinental Shanghai Pudong

Hotel Cantonese Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: 100 Century Avenue Cantonese, Park Hyatt Shanghai Editor's Pick: Ming Court, Cordis, Shanghai, Hongqiao

Modern Chinese Hotel Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: YEN, W Shanghai-The Bund

Hotel Italian Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: LAGO by Julian Serrano, Bellagio by MGM Shanghai Editor's Pick: Calypso Restaurant & Lounge, Jing An Shangri-La, Shanghai

Hotel Steakhouse of the Year

People's Choice: The 1515 West Chophouse and Bar, Jing An Shangri-La, Shanghai Editor's Pick: Flint Grill & Bar, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Shanghai Pudong Editor's Pick: CHAR Bar & Grill, Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund

Hotel Buffet of the Year

People's Choice: The COOK, Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai

Editor's Pick: Cachet, The Langham, Shanghai Xintiandi

Hotel Brunch of the Year

People's Choice: Café Gray Deluxe, The Middle House Editor's Pick: The Stage, The Westin Bund Center Shanghai

Hotel Bar of the Year

People's Choice: The Bulgari Bar, Bulgari Hotel Shanghai Editor's Pick: The St. Regis Bar, The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan Editor's Pick: Sky Bar and Restaurant, Hyatt Regency Shanghai Global Harbor

Hotel Rooftop Bar of the Year

People's Choice: RuiKu, Wanda Reign on the Bund Editor's Pick: Flair Rooftop Bar, The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong Editor's Pick: VUE Bar, Hyatt on the Bund

Hotel Lounge of the Year

People's Choice: URBAN Lounge, The Sukhothai Shanghai Editor's Pick: The Ritz Bar & Lounge, The Portman RitzCarlton, Shanghai

Hotel French Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: Jade on 36 Restaurant, Pudong ShangriLa, Shanghai Editor's Pick: Fifty 8 ° Grill, Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai Editor's Pick: Le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire, Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li

Hotel Japanese Restaurant of the Year

People's Choice: HIYA, Shanghai EDITION Editor's Pick: Kobachi ON 56, Grand Hyatt Shanghai

Cafés, Desserts and Ice Cream

Bakery of the Year

People's Choice: Pain Chaud Editor's Pick: Bread etc.

Ice Creamery of the Year

People's Choice: Luneurs Editor's Pick: Gelato Dal Cuore

Cafe of the Year

People's Choice: RAC Editor's Pick: Shanghailander

Golden Forks

Pici

Colca

Azul

OMBRA

PIZZA Street

Eli Falafel

Mad Dragon Liquid Laundry HA TIEN

Le Coquin Lounge by Topgolf Italo Trattoria

Blue Frog POP Rooftop Brasserie & Bar

Mercato by Jean-Georges Jean-Georges Canton Table

Pistolera

FAMILY

Are You Feeling Sh*tty?

p45

Eco Home P44 Class Clown P44

BRET ISIS

Founder and President of Teaching Nomad

By Vanessa Jencks

With so many changing regulations in the education industry, many teachers are wondering if it’s time to leave China altogether. Bret Isis, founder and president of Teaching Nomad, gladly sat down with That’s to discuss what his team has observed in the industry, both globally and specific to China. Teaching Nomad is a teacher placement agency that works in several countries, including the substitute placement industry in the US. For their international sector, they have a steady supply of jobs originating from 12 different countries. Their team is based in both Denver and Shanghai.

Isis explained that at the heart of Teaching Nomad is the mission to support teachers internationally and in the US by providing “great employment opportunities and professional development.” Their international unit has a goal to “bridge cross-cultural awareness and support life-changing overseas experiences” while their US substitute counterpart “helps to ensure that schools have the coverage they need to support learning outcomes, while providing teachers with valuable classroom experience.”

“All of this comes together to battle the global teacher shortage by retaining experienced teachers and giving noneducation majors the opportunity to try out teaching. Then linking them with the training and certification they need to turn it into a rewarding career.”

In terms of China’s changing landscape with teachers leaning toward staying in China, Isis responded, “smart move! Right now there is massive demand for foreign teachers but an extremely limited supply. We’ve seen nearly every school increase salaries and benefits to attract and retain the teachers they have.” Of recent regulations shutting down or limiting training schools, Isis noticed a trend of tutoring shifting into core curriculum schools, potentially causing an increase in workload.

Isis was quick to point out that this increase in salary and workload “won’t last forever.” As China opens back up, “don’t be surprised if your school wants to reduce your salary to pre-pandemic levels or skip an annual salary increase, ” Isis explained. Overall Isis mentioned teachers should consider themselves lucky if they’re already teaching in China or using this unique season to propel their career. “Thousands of teachers wish they were already in China.”

Though the regulations have had an immediate impact within China’s borders, Isis mentioned that it’s too early to know with certainty how this will affect teaching recruitment in China long term. “At a recent meeting of school leaders in Shanghai, we heard varying opinions including more tutoring shifting to the K-12 regular school day. Some of the changes could be rolled back through government sanctioned partnerships between training schools and K-12 schools. At this point, there’s so much focus on test results that it seems impossible that afterschool training won’t continue to thrive in some form.”

Regulations aside, COVID-19 has had a much larger impact on Teaching Nomad, leading to their development in the US market, and on teacher recruitment in general. Restrictions on travel lasted for a longer time than Isis initially expected. “Schools in K-12 have had some success bringing new foreign teachers into the country, using PU letters. However, I would estimate they have only been able to get visas and PU letters for about 15 to 25% of the teachers that they would have wanted to hire pre-pandemic.” One change seems to be a mix between new regulations and the pandemic as “afterschool training centers have not been allowed to obtain PU letters, essentially eliminating all opportunities for beginner TEFL teachers.”

Teachers desiring to leave China still have options available. “Southeast Asia often boasts a better work-life balance but with a decreased savings potential. The Middle East is still a popular choice, especially the UAE. Culture shock is often easier there since so many people speak English, but the students can be tougher and don’t have the same intense focus on doing well in school like we see in China.” For teachers considering a move back to their passport country, there are plenty of teaching jobs available. In the US, Isis acknowledged public districts have higher pay, but he suggested private schools often have better worklife balance and smaller classes making a slight pay cut worth it for some. Where to go next all comes down to motivation for the move from each individual teacher. If teachers need input, Teaching Nomad has both resources to consider and staff that can discuss these options.

> For your next move in the education field, check out www.teachingnomad.com where they have jobs and continued education information available.

READING CORNER

Book recommendations from That’s editorial team.

Nowhere Girl: A Memoir of a Fugitive Childhood

This true story written by Cheryl Diamond takes readers through a life with parents on the run from Interpol across five continents. Cheryl recounts six assumed identities by the time she was nine. She remembers taking on the appearance of a Sikh one year and then being Jewish a few years later. She picked up odd skills along the way in this exciting but conflicted childhood. These include forging identity papers and fixing a car with chicken wire. Cheryl writes of some truly epic moments but her story comes to a crossroads when she must decide whether to stick with a family living in the shadows as it implodes or make a way for herself in a world of paper trail truth.

The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids 1 & 2

Whether you have a reluctant reader or anxious test-taker at the end of the school semester, The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids with two editions will help your children relieve stress and bolster their love of reading. Reading will become a community event with lots of giggles as the readers won’t be able to keep the laughs to themselves. These two books will be great tools for busting any boredom, whether due to travel (or avoiding travel for health reasons) or waiting out the last days in the classroom after final exams. It’s highly rated and sure to bring a smile to many faces.

CLASS CLOWN

Chinese Astronauts Give Spacey Science Lectures

A group of 1,420 students in Beijing, Nanning, Wenchuan, Hong Kong and Macao were invited to attend live broadcasted lessons given by crew members of Shenzhou XIII on December 9, 2021. The astronauts showed students how they live and work in space, along with a tour of some of the astronaut’s quarters. Included in the hourlong presentation were demonstrations in microgravity, most notably a water ball. Students got the chance to ask questions, with several students remarking how the lecture surprised them and increased their interest in space.

Image Credit: Xinhua

ECO HOME

Zero Waste Shampoo Bars

Did you know that shampoos, conditioners and soaps available in most supermarkets are not only bad for the environment but they’re also bad for your skin and hair too? Whether due to sulfates, parabens or a number of other additives, your skin and hair can really take a beating from using the average shampoo and soap on the shelf. Unsustainable and synthetic ingredients wash down the drain, eventually splashing into the ocean, where they’re toxic to everything from coral reefs to larger sea mammals. On top of that, liquids can only be kept in bottles (think of all that plastic filling up landfills) and these companies are making no promises about their manufacturing processes either. Switch to a sustainable, zero-waste, vegan and cruelty free bar that can be used from your head to your toes. Brands to try that are available on Taobao include Ethique and Friendly Soap. If you’ve got the time and a hankering, there are plenty of homemade recipes available online too.

Are You Feeling Sh*tty? is a free monthly mental health support group that aims to provide approachable support to those who need it. The group offers compassion, community and respect for substantive academic research on mental health. Participants may talk, share, or just listen. We thought it sounded like a great initiative, so we reached out to organizer Charey Utton to find out more. How did the event come about? The idea was bubbling away in my head for years, but there were three main catalysts that drove it to fruition.

First, the observation that, in Shanghai, mental health support options are thin on the ground; you either have prohibitively expensive therapy or superficial ‘positivity’-oriented workshops and communities that choose to treat symptoms by essentially ignoring them.

Second, I’ve personally struggled a lot with mental health. As a result, I have spent years researching and reading about it from the perspectives of philosophy, neuroscience, psychology, sociology and art. I don’t have any unique contributions to make in any of these fields, but I figured sharing what I’ve learned from professionals might be of use to others.

Third, and the thing that really tipped

Are You Feeling Sh*tty?

the idea into existence, was the suicide of a friend who’d been living here in Shanghai. There was no way of changing what had happened. But, I figured, there might be a way to prevent something like that happening again.

Are You Feeling Sh*tty? was the best answer I could come up with, when I asked myself how I could personally provide some sort of safety net to those who need it.

What can attendees expect? We meet in a group of around 20 people, of whom normally around half are regulars, and half are newbies. Each month there’s a theme, such as loss, generosity or anger.

At the start, I’ll give a reading on that theme. We’ll then chat about it as a group. Afterwards, we move onto a sharing session where anyone may share with the group why they’re feeling downtrodden. They can tell their story.

This is not an event for advice – we’re not trained professionals, so nobody gives advice after someone shares. The group is just there to listen. almost never reach out for help. Let this be a message to any men reading: if you’re feeling shitty, be brave and admit it, don’t bottle it up and try to deal with it alone.

Besides that, it’s a complete mix of nationalities, ages and professions. What’s nice is that when we hear each other share, we come to realize how universal so many of our stories actually are. Often people feel like they might be the only one suffering in their particular way, and are shocked and comforted to find someone else, perhaps of a different age, and a different background, who is suffering in exactly the same way.

What would you say to someone nervous/cautious about attending? There’s absolutely no pressure to say anything during a session. You can come and sit, listen, and not say a word. We’ve had people who have come every month for six months, never said a thing, and then one day quietly open up about how helpful it’s all been.

What sort of people does it attract? Mostly women. I wish men would come more. In most countries, men are two or three times more likely to kill themselves than women, and yet they

How do you pick your themes? First off, I pick what I think are the most salient issues when it comes to mental health. They’re all what philosophers might call ‘second order’ ideas. These can be seen as mechanisms or rules, rather than specific instances. Instead of choosing ‘cheating’ or ‘theft,’ I might choose ‘envy.’

Second, I balance the light with the dark. We had ‘grief’ a few months ago, which was super heavy, so I followed it with ‘generosity’.

Third, I choose whatever I personally want to do some research on that month. I spend hours researching and writing for each session, so I’ve gotta be feeling it.

What’s up with the artwork? Since I started, with every session I’ve published a WeChat post that features art from this illustrator called SilentPilot ( 愚木 in Chinese). I found his work online, where it’s massively popular internationally, and later found out that he lives in Shanghai.

It’s so beautiful, and introspective, and surreal, and relatable. I got in touch with him and found that he’s the sweetest, humblest dude in the world about it all. He’s been making one piece every day for 1,795 days now, which is the sort of dedication I will never achieve in my life.

Meanwhile, the art on the poster was made by my old friend and Shanghai legend K-Real. Check his stuff out online, he does amazing prints.

> Scan the QR to add Charley and find out more.

LISTINGS

BEIJING

Beijing Lianbao > Unite 1C, Building 7, Xingfu Yicun Xili, Chaoyang District 朝阳区幸福一村西里7号楼1C (6415 8001, 138 1093 6118, hanxingyue1127@126. com) Beijing Kerry Residence Whether you’re a single business executive or a busy family, Beijing Kerry’s fully- furnished 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments will feel just like home. As well as enjoying all the comforts of modern living – including a well-equipped kitchen, entertainment systems, high-speed broadband and much more – residents are just moments away from the Kerry Centre’s shopping mall and sports facilities. The rest of the CBD is on your doorstep too. >1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区光华路1号 (8535 6888, www.beijingkerryresidence. com)

GTC RESIDENCE BEIJING One of the top residences in Beijing, GTC Residence is located beside the third ring road with 5 minutes’ walk to subway line 5 , 10 minutes’ drive to Hou Hai . It is also within easily reach of CBD, embassy area, Financial Street and other urban commercial,shopping and recreation areas. Fully equipped apartments with impeccable quality offer you a cozy living system and will meet all of your requirements for room decoration, furniture, electric appliances etc.. Unique sky garden with golf practice field and barbecue area is another symbol of GTC Residence. > sales@gtcresidence.com, website: www. gtcresidence.com Tel:56756666

Oak Chateau Beijing Oak Chateau Beijing has 236 stylish and contemporary fully serviced apartments from studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom and four bedroom suites available, measuring 64 to 260 square meters. There is a 24-hours guest reception, and housekeeping is offered twice a week. Nestled within the landscaped gardens of the Ocean Express commercial and residential complex, Oak Chateau Beijing is very close to the third Embassy Area and shopping and dinning services at the Beijing Lufthansa Center. There are only 19 kilometers to the Beijing Capital Airport. >北京市朝阳区东三环霞光里66号远洋新干线 D座 邮编 100027 Block D, Ocean Express, 66 Xiaguang Li, Third East Ring Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100027, P.R.C Tel: (86-10) 84465888 Fax: (86-10) 84465999 Email oak.chateau@oakchateau.com Website: www. oakchateau.com

Oakwood Residence Damei Beijing The only serviced apartment in the city that has its own in-house supply of natural hot spring water supply. Expansive city views are available from floor to ceiling windows with the apartments situated from level 23 to 35 in the building complex. The 171 stylish contemporary serviced residences range from studios to three- bedroom apartments and offer an elegant range of amenities and facilities to ensure each resident’s stay is comfortable and well taken care of. > Building No.1 Damei Center, 7 Qingnian Road, Chaoyang District Beijing北京市朝阳 区青年路7 号达美中心1号楼 Tel: 86-10 8585 2211 (8:30am-5:30pm) 86-10 8585 2888 (5:30pm-8:30am) Fax: (86-10) 8585 2666 website OakwoodAsia.com

HOTEL NEWS

BEIJING CHENGDU

Waldorf Astoria Beijing Proudly Appoints New Director

Waldorf Astoria Beijing is proud to welcome Mr. Cai Lei as the Commercial Director, overseeing matters relating to sales, marketing and revenue. He brings with him the experience and insight of an illustrious career with Starwood, Hilton Group, Bulgari and the Shanghai EDITION. He believes that a professional team is the key to delivering superior customer experience.

Iconic St. Regis Chengdu Welcomes Veteran General Manager

The St. Regis has acquired the distinguished Mr. Radek Cais to assume leadership of the ultra-luxury Chengdu property. The Cornell graduate began his career in Vancouver and then proceeded to build a 25-year career in top destinations around the globe. Having worked in Holland, Sweden, Norway, Egypt, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and the Ritz-Carlton Tianjin, Cais will undoubtedly continue to impress during his tenure in Chengdu.

GBA

Art Space Unvelied at Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou With Fashion and Photography Show

In December, Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou celebrated the grand opening of 080 X Raymond Hui Aesthetic Space. The opening ceremony was attended by some 80 arts, fashion and media guests, and was held at Four Seasons Tian bar on the 99th floor of the hotel. The event included a pop-up photography exhibition by Kevin Zhou and a fashion show, all encompassing the theme of what it means to be a gentleman.

CHANGSHA

“Mad Madame” Is the Official Scent of Changsha

Niccolo Changsha has launched a series of co-branded promotions with Juliette Has a Gun, the luxury perfume brand from France, including a themed art afternoon tea, cocktails, and a themed room package. When booking the limited afternoon tea, cocktails and room package guests will also receive one free Experience Perfume Set by Juliette Has a Gun, valued at RMB288. These co-branded promotions will be available daily in limited quantities until 15 January 2022.

SHANGHAI

Jing An Shangri-La Wishes You a Happy Holidays

Shangri-La celebrated its 50th Christmas with elegant gift hampers, festive afternoon tea packages and New Year’s Eve and Day free-flow and set menu events. Situated in the heart of the affluent Jing An central business district, the 508-room Jing An Shangri-La, Shanghai is the focal point of the integrated Jing An Kerry Centre. The hotel provides 4,465 square metres of meeting and conference space. Offering diversity in the dining experience, guests have options at the hotel’s six F&B outlets, serving both Western and Eastern cuisine.

Nobody Does Decorations Like the Bulgari Hotel Shanghai

Bulgari Hotel Shanghai rang in the holiday season with magnificent lighting and decorations to provide guests with a magical and yet cozy atmosphere. Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito offered authentic and elevated Italian delicacies like beef tongue tortellini with parmesan cheese, citrus and pumpkin broth, beef tenderloin with mushroom jelly, black truffle and potato mayonnaise, and custard-filled bignè with warm chocolate sauce. Bulgari Hotel Shanghai offers beautiful panoramic views of the iconic Bund waterfront, the magnificent skyline of Shanghai, legendary Huangpu River and winding Suzhou River.

Christmas Eve Tradition Takes Turkey to the Top Tier

The St. Regis Shanghai Jing An took care of the cooking for Christmas Eve this year with a sumptuous buffet in Social and a six-course set menu in The Club House. The buffet featured succulent lobsters, king crabs, oysters, grilled beef, and roasted turkey and ham with free flow of sparkling and wines for RMB998.

SCHOOL NEWS

SHANGHAI

2021 BISS Puxi Winter Bazaar

The British International School of Shanghai Puxi Winter Bazaar hosted families to mingle and explore a festive market with stalls of delicious snacks and a chance to meet Santa.

From Farm to Table: The Tale of the Red Dragon in YCIS Shanghai

Every noon from the start of November, children from YCIS Puxi Primary gathered to collaborate on a mural on the 18-meter wall at the Hongqiao Campus. They took on different roles painting the dragon – including coloring the tail, outlining the eyes, and depicting various characters across its body.

The mural, titled The Tale of the Red Dragon, is a project conceived by the artists in the Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Programme at YCIS Shanghai. The AIRs in Pudong and Puxi create spectacular art pieces with students from YCIS’ five campuses throughout the school year. For this project, Ms Elena Hasnas, YCIS Puxi AIR, joined forces with YCIS Pudong AIR Ms Haruka Ostley. The children were enthusiastic about their shared creative task come rain or shine.

Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi Winter Ball Makes a Difference

The Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi community came together for their annual Winter Ball at W Hotel Shanghai and successfully raised over RMB50,000 for two causes that are close to their hearts. Funds raised will support Veal Reyoung School in Cambodia, which they have committed to funding through a partnership with United World Schools, as well as the Shanghai Roots and Shoots Million Tree Project. Dulwich is proud of the difference their community is making.

Wellington College International Shanghai Launches Scholarship Programme

Wellington College International Shanghai is now accepting applications for its Academic Scholarship Programme for the 2022-23 academic year. In addition to partial or full tuition coverage, Wellington Scholars will develop their research skills through an extended project and receive on-on-one academic mentorship.

GUANGZHOU SHENZHEN

FOSHAN

CIS Winter Festival Raises Money for Charity

A wrap for the biggest community celebration of 2021! In December, CIS’ caring community came together for the annual Winter Festival. It was a truly wondrous celebration to raise money for the CIEO Charity Foundation. Indeed, it takes a village to fulfil the CIEO motto of “Education is Love” and they are very appreciative to everyone who supported this worthwhile cause.

ISA Hosts Colorful Multicultural Festival

The 2021 ISA Festival ‘A Journey Through Time’ celebration has been successfully held at ISA Science City International School. Guests enjoyed gift shopping for charity, playing games, and tasting international food in the joyful Festival bazaar and exhibition. The Festival also celebrated the multi-cultural integration with a splendidly costumed Flash Mob and wonderful multi-cultural performances presented by ISA students, parents & teachers. The curtain of the Festival descended with a spectacular drone show demonstrating the growth of the ISA community.

SIS 2021 International Winter Bazaar Celebrates Diversity

Shekou International School’s 2021 International Winter Bazaar was successfully held at our Net Valley campus on December 18. This year, there were over 20 booths set up by international families and community members showing the diversity and inclusiveness of the SIS community. SIS is very proud of the way the International Winter Bazaar brings communities together. While we look forward to 2022, SIS would like to extend a huge thank you to all members of our global communities for the support in 2021. Our common interests keep us connected as we celebrate our unique characteristics and cultures.

NAS Brings the Excitement of the Tanzanian Jungle to Foshan Fun Day

NAS Foshan held an amazing and fun Open Day in December. The theme of the Open Day was exploring the jungles of Tanzania, which is connected through Nord Anglia Global Campus projects. Families came to NAS Foshan and enjoyed the music festival and the sunshine on the green sports field. In addition to Tanzanian performance and activities, NAS Foshan also offered an array of extra-curricular activities for families to try, such as fencing, equestrian, golf and archery.

That’s Horoscopes

Finally, a horoscope that understands your life in China.

By Joshua Cawthorpe

Capricorn

12.22~1.20

You’ve got a big career change or promotion nearby in your future. Keep your eyes open and your nose brown. Venus will be in retrograde until January 29 so try not to fall in love.

Aquarius

1.21~2.19

At your age, hand-eye coordination is dwindling and it's unlikely that you can manoeuver a motorcycle in Chinese rush hour traffic. Just settle for the leather pants and jacket. January is a time for healing and restoration so call the friends you haven’t talked to in too long.

Pisces

2.20~3.20

Start swimming at the nearest pool and become a regular attendee of all hotel pool parties in your area. Pisces needs to splash, baby!

Aries

3.21~4.20

A Roomba might not get at those hard to reach places, but neither will the ayi in your price range. Start the year out with clean floors. Cleanliness is next to Godliness.

Taurus

4.21~5.21

The year of the Bull has come to a close and if nothing changed for you then maybe you should go back to school. Being a mature student can be a very rewarding experience. It’s never too late to up your keg stand game. Your job lets you nap after lunch but now you feel helplessly lethargic after every meal. Either substitute your eggs and bacon for a banana or double-down with a pillow under your desk.

Gemini

5.22~6.21

Take a walk on the wild side. Start a collection of clothing with colourful prints. Looking like a curtain from your grandmother’s nursing home is super 'in’ right now.

Cancer

6.22~7.22

You got stupendous news last month so make it count. Reel in the risk taking behaviour that you’re known for and you might just see another full circle of the sun in the warm embrace of China.

Leo

7.23~8.23

Virgo

8.24~9.23

The wilderness is calling you. It’s been years since you camped under the stars and howled at the moon. Don’t be scared — all the wolves were eaten in the 80s.

Libra

9.24~10.23

This year is all about revitalizing yourself for Libras. Start with Goldbond in your shoes and stop using natural deodorant — it doesn’t work.

Scorpio

10.24~11.22

Stop planning on becoming Douyin-famous when you aren’t even filming videos. Check out a job board, apply, and accept your rejection so you can plan a more humble retirement.

Sagittarius

11.23~12.21

If it feels like an impossible task to ask for forgiveness from the hordes of folks you’ve wronged, you can always skip that step. The path to sobriety is a road you should travel after blacking out on NYE.