【5/22/2021】CAPA-NoVA Distinguished Chinese American Project
(Author: Xiaoyan Deng)
周英华(Michael Chow) (1939 – ) is a Chinese-born British-American restaurateur, interior designer and former actor. He is the co-founder and owner of the Mr. Chow restaurant chain
Chow was born in Shanghai. His father was Zhou Xinfang, one of China’s most famous actors of his time and the leading figure at the Peking Opera. His sister is actress and erstwhile Bond girl Tsai Chin.
He was sent to a British boarding school when he was 12 and spent his adolescence in Europe; Chow studied art in London before embarking upon a business career in parallel to his acting.
Michael Chow’s concept was for a restaurant to offer Chinese food served by Italian waiters, and with a menu the British could understand.
Chow has said his restaurants have always been underlined by “this desire and need to promote the Chinese culture”, which he has done through food. His restaurants have been widely panned by food critics, but remain popular for decades due to their ability to attract celebrities with the allure of fancy dining and intentionally high prices.
Chow designed the restaurant featuring cool green floor tiles and white walls, and it opened in Knightsbridge, London in February 1968, serving Pekinese cuisine. Mr. Chow was a hit and remains in business. Chow bought art by Allen Jones, Peter Blake, Patrick Caulfield, David Hockney and Jim Dine for the walls, which became as celebrated as the food.
His restaurant chain has expanded to such places such as Las Vegas, Miami, New York City and Beverly Hills. Recently, Michael Chow has been appointed as one of the 12 member board of governors called “The Broad” for Eli and Edythe Broad’s three story $130 million Contemporary Art Museum in downtown Los Angeles.
More information about Chow:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Chow_(restaurateur)
https://www.wenxuecity.com/blog/201505/67126/22976.html
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