This month sees one of Birmingham’s most popular restaurants, Chung Ying Garden, celebrate its 30th year of business. As one of the Chung Ying Group’s three venues situated in the city centre, it has a firmly established reputation as one of the UK’s best Chinese restaurants. The team are delighted to have just been recognised nationally; picking up a nomination in the upcoming British Chinese Food Awards.
Chung Ying Garden has gone from strength to strength throughout the past three decades, as the team at Chung Ying offers everything from delicious dim sum to cracking corporate events, and even a session of killer karaoke. This latest award nomination sees the restaurant shortlisted for the Best Chinese Restaurant in the Midlands, at the British Chinese Food Awards.
The restaurant is part of Chung Ying Group, which was established by the parents of current Managing Director James Wong, who has been working for the restaurant group for over 20 years. Recently named ‘Brummie of the Year’ at the Birmingham Awards, James has become one of the region’s most respected businessmen and a powerhouse when it comes to Chinese Culture.
Always supporting Chinese culture, James sits on the board of Southside BID and also heads the committee for the Chinatown Arch Project. He is also a governor of Overseas Chinese Association School and patron of the Chinese Community Centre Birmingham (CCCB).
Commenting on Chung Ying Garden’s 30th year, James said:
“I can still remember when we first opened in November 1987, I was only 13 back then. It was my father’s dream to build the largest Chinese restaurant in Birmingham.
I came back to learn the trade after university 20 years ago. Time definitely flies and many of our customers have since became good friends of the restaurant.
We are very proud that the restaurant continues to serve Brummies authentic Cantonese cuisine, with many of them preferring our food to the offerings in Hong Kong and China”
Ever the philanthropists, the Chung Ying team works tirelessly with local charities, particularly the Chinese community in Birmingham, with James being Chair of the Chinese Festival Committee, which is responsible for organising the annual Chinese New Year celebrations in Southside. Earlier this year, James helped bring “Cultures of China, Festival of Spring“, a world renowned cultural show from China, to Birmingham for the first time.
Hosting the 30th birthday celebrations, over 300 people turned out to mark the occasion including with restaurant friends old and new. Also in attendance was Simon Chan, the original general manager who oversaw the growth in popularity of the restaurant during the infancy years. With karaoke and entertainment throughout the night, this was certainly one birthday party not to be forgotten!