Wanchai Ferry (brand)

Wanchai Ferry is a brand of Chinese food dinner kits founded in Hong Kong by Chong Kin-wo and now owned by American company General Mills.[1] The company's roots began in 1972 when Chong Kin-wo[2] – often known as Madame Chong – began selling dumplings, a business that led to her "dumpling queen" nickname and the 1985 establishment of the Wanchai Ferry Peking Dumpling Company.[1][3][4] In 1997, Pillsbury Company entered a joint venture with Wanchai Ferry which led the brand to become part of General Mills when Pillsbury was acquired in 2001.[1][2]

The brand is still largely a frozen dumpling company in China[1] and a leader in its market.[5] The dinner kits are intended for the American and European markets.[1] In her later years, Madame Chong served as a consultant to General Mills involved in the final development stages and approving the flavors.[1] The kits were introduced to France in Spring of 2007 and to the United States of America in Summer 2007.[1][2] In 2009, the company introduced frozen dinners.[2]

Chong Kin-wo died on February 12, 2019, at the age of 75.[6] Her biographical movie titled The Dumpling Queen premiered in Mainland China on April 30, 2025, and in the United States on May 2, 2025.[7][8]

References

  1. Julie Jargon. General Mills Tries to Persuade Americans to Cook Chinese - WSJ Online.wsj.com, May 29, 2007, retrieved 2014-06-18^
  2. Mike Hughlett. From pushcart to grocery cart Star Tribune, February 7, 2011, retrieved 2014-06-18^
  3. Our Story Wanchaiferry.com, retrieved 2014-06-18^
  4. Chinese Cravings Heat Up With Wanchai Ferry(TM) Frozen Entrees Bloomberg, retrieved 2014-06-18^
  5. Alan Rappeport. China turns to frozen dumplings FT.com, 2012-07-10, retrieved 2014-06-18^
  6. Ng Kang-chung. Hong Kong's 'Dumpling Queen' Chong Kin-wo, Wanchai Ferry company founder, dies South China Morning Post, SCMP Group, 12 February 2019, retrieved 20 August 2019^
  7. Profile South China Morning Post, 2025-04-02, retrieved 2025-05-17^
  8. The Dumpling Queen 2025-05-01, retrieved 2025-05-17^