Nelson Wang - The Master Chef
Early life
Nelson Wang was born in 1950 in the Chinese quarter of Kolkata (then Calcutta). He lost his father
within days of birth and his mother, unable to look after him, gave him away for adoption.
Nelson's foster father was a chef and this is where the young boy of 16 picked up his first
culinary skills.
A cool cat born in the 'year of the rat'
- Shobha De
Nelson Wang decided to stay in India, after his family migrated to Canada. He moved to Bangalore and Hyderabad where he managed a living by entertaining passerbys with gimmicks like limbo dancing and giving tips on the craft of shoemaking.
Mumbai beckons
Fortunately, the culinary skills picked up during his Kolkata days astonished people. They suggested that the young man shouldn't waste time there but should go to Mumbai.
So with just Rs 27 in his pocket and nothing else, in 1974, Nelson Wang stepped off the train at Victoria Terminus in Mumbai.
Nelson Wang is an achiever, he works ten times harder than anybody, he never gives
up and he dreams big.
- Upper Crust Magazine
I suddenly realized that given India's population, the Indian passion for Chinese
food and Wang's role in Indian-Chinese cuisine, I was probably looking at the man
who had influenced the Chinese dining experience for more people on the planet than
any single other person
- Jennifer Lee, Author
The Fortune Cookie Chronicles
Adventures in the World of Chinese Food
He landed a chef's job at the now defunct Fredericks, through a friend. At Rs.1,200/- per month, it didnt amount to much but at least he got to do what he loved most, cooking.
As luck would have it, within a year, the Cricket Club of India (CCI) offered Frederick's the charge of it's catering.
The restaurant couldnt takeup the offer, but Nelson Wang stepped in and asked that it be given to him.
It was a major stepping stone to success.
The CCI venture provided the rich and famous of Mumbai the first taste of Nelson Wang's expertise and the good word spread thick and fast.
Soon other clubs started clamouring for Wang's skills for their members. Nelson took up the catering at Radio Club, National Sports Club of India and Willingdon Sports Club, building goodwill everywhere and earning enough to start a small restaurant called China Town with a friend as partner.
The rise of China Garden
Eventually, the popularity of his food was too much for the restaurant to handle. The rush meant a long wait for guests, as they didn't have enough table space.
One of them was builder Om Prakash Navani, who relished the food but hated the queue.
He made Nelson an offer to open a restaurant in the office complex he was building at Kemp's Corner. Nelson saw the place, liked it but its Rs 20 lakh price stumped him.
And that was the basic cost. Much more would be needed to furnish it for operational use.
This was beyond Nelson's reach though it meant so much to him.
Mumbaikars will nostalgically remember the original China Garden, now renovated and re-christened CG83
But Om, bless his soul, was a financial pillar, allowing Wang to pay in installments and standing guarantee with the bank.
The rest came from a lot of well-wishers and other good friends sustained as clients over the decade.
And so China Garden was born on April 15, 1984.
It's success has been unmatched in the history of Indian F&B.
Inventor, Collector, Entrepreneur, Philantrophist
Nelson revolutionized Chinese cooking - by adding a hint of Indian-ness to it. The now all too famous Chicken Manchurian is Nelson’s creation.
So popular did this dish become, that the recipe of stir-fried garlic, ginger, soya sauce, cornflour and boneless pieces of chicken, was replicated everywhere - from street carts to five star hotel restaurants across the country.
Many of the items on the China Garden menu are his orginal creations.
An avid art lover, Nelson Wang has assiduously collected a large range of authentic Chinese antiques and artefacts over 30 years which adorn China Gardens outlets. These include marvellous porcelain vases, Chinese proverbs embossed on bamboo canvasses, replicas of swords used by many Chinese dynasties, teapots used by the Jing dynasty along with various ivory and jade decor pieces.
Nelson Wang donates to Mother Teresa's charities
Nelson Wang has been awarded the 'Outstanding Citizen Award' by the International Peace and Goodwill Foundation of India.
IN Mumbai, a local TV Channel, awarded Nelson Wang the 'Best Entrepreneur Award'
in 2004 in recognistion of his contribution towards the city of Mumbai over a decade.
China Garden - The Next Generation
Over the last few years, Nelson Wang has been establishing a chain of China Gardens all over India.
It helps that his sons Edward and Henry (pictured above on extreme right) are fully involved in the business.
While Edward completed a course at the University of Guelph, Ontario, for managing restaurant chains, Henry learnt the art of fine dining at the prestigious Les Roche, Switzerland.
Edward Wang manages the operations in Mumbai while Henry is the face of the Delhi outlet.
As for Nelson, he went to Vancouver to study the satellite central kitchen concept, a practical course in maintaining quality and consistency at restaurant chains.
This has resulted in the development of a 4,000 sq feet satellite kitchen in central Mumbai's Worli to make the "mother sauces" for the China Garden chain.
The Wangs continue to have the pulse of their clientele by personal involvement in each venture.
You can be assured of a great experience in any China Garden or Piano Bar outlet, whether you seek to relish a quite dinner or entertain your guests.