|
Meet our crack team of experts…
 |
Founder Sarah Keenlyside is a journalist based in Beijing.
As former Deputy Editor of Time Out magazine she has spent the last three years dashing around the
city in search of new restaurants, quirky boutiques, undiscovered sights and interesting people.
A point of contact for everyone from the BBC to film producers and international academics, she's
also written on China for The Guardian, The Sunday Telegraph and American Express's member's magazine,
amongst others, and helped compile Time Out's guide book and Olympic guide to Beijing.
After a string of friends and contacts visited the capital and complained that
none of the taxi drivers spoke English, many of the places their guidebooks recommended had since
disappeared, and eating in local restaurants was something of an ordeal, she decided to start
Bespoke Beijing. If she knew her friends' needs, she decided, she could make specific and detailed
recommendations to ensure they enjoyed their holidays. Now this service is available to everyone,
with the aim of ensuring each visitor to Beijing leaves with a smile on their face. |
 |
Operations Manager Wei Cao was born in Beijing but has since travelled extensively
and spent a period studying in the U.S. As a result, she says she appreciates the unique problems China can present to
foreigners. Having spent much of her time in Beijing showing overseas friends her city, she's become something of an
expert on everything from Sichuan restaurants to hidden hutong boutiques. You'll most likely find her chowing down on
yuxiang rou si (pork strips in spicy sauce) or scaling the dizzy heights at the Ole rock climbing centre. |
 |
Destination Management Director Tom Pattinson is undoubtedly one of Beijing's most well-connected people.
Having been in China on and off for the last 13 years, he speaks fluent Mandarin,
was Editor in Chief of Time Out magazine for more than 4 years and has helped
organise visits for President Bush's family, international TV networks and world-
famous bands. He has written about the city for everyone from Esquire to The Sunday Times, Travel &
Leisure and Time Out London. A fan of chuan'r (Chinese lamb kebabs), Tsingtao beer and live music,
you'll most likely find him propping up the bar at Yugong Yishan or eating Chinese Hot Pot on Ghost Street. |
 |
Event Manager Kristen Lum has an accomplished background in PR,
communications and events in China. Born and raised in California, Kristen has been managing the PR and marketing for
Beijing’s top nightlife and dining destinations (including Hatsune, LAN, Domus and Club Glen) for more than four years.
She’s organised everything from restaurant and club openings to fashion shows and even taken on one or two weddings!
She’s also the founder of LumDimSum, a website offering the inside scoop on Beijing’s ever-evolving dynamic party and restaurant scene.
A devoted foodie who loves to party, you’ll most likely find her hiking and biking around Beijing or eating the delicious falafel at biteapitta. |
|
