William Poon
Encyclopedia
William Poon, is a one of the top master chefs in the UK, and launched the Poons restaurant chain in London
.
The restaurant chain, first opened in the 60's, consisted of 5 branches at its peak, each branch with its own speciality and run by different family members. It was acclaimed for its authentic Cantonese Menu
and was famous for the Chinese wind-dry sausages
(臘腸) and wind-dry
ducks. It was also one of the first Chinese restaurant
in London Chinatown
to introduce Clay Pot Rice
(煲仔飯).
Chef William Poon personally ran the kitchen in Covent Garden
(one Michelin star 1979-80) before it moved to Poons in the City in 1992. The restaurant in the city was modelled on the design of Hong Kong's Luk Yew Tree House and had a 80-seat fast food section. Poons have been patronised by celebrities such as Frank Sinatra
and many theatre stars among the Covent Garden
theatres.
Poon is now officially retired and all the chain restaurants are closed, but his wind-dry
products are still widely available in UK supermarkets.
Poon continues to work in support of community projects and is currently the Chair of Euro-Chinese Literature Association (歐華文聯)., and the Permanent President of Shunde UK Association. Poon also helps with promoting Chinese cooking standard in the UK and has been on the judging panels for the Chinese MasterChef
competition organised by Westminster City Council
. Poon was one of the finalist for the Promotion of Excellence in Chinese Cuisine at the Pearl Award in 2006.
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London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
The restaurant chain, first opened in the 60's, consisted of 5 branches at its peak, each branch with its own speciality and run by different family members. It was acclaimed for its authentic Cantonese Menu
Cantonese cuisine
Cantonese cuisine comes from Guangdong Province in southern China and is one of 8 superdivisions of Chinese cuisine. Its prominence outside China is due to the great numbers of early emigrants from Guangdong. Cantonese chefs are highly sought after throughout the country...
and was famous for the Chinese wind-dry sausages
Chinese sausage
Chinese sausage is a generic term referring to the many different types of sausages originating in China. It is commonly known by its Cantonese name "Lap Cheong" or "Lap Chong" .-Varieties:...
(臘腸) and wind-dry
Chinese sausage
Chinese sausage is a generic term referring to the many different types of sausages originating in China. It is commonly known by its Cantonese name "Lap Cheong" or "Lap Chong" .-Varieties:...
ducks. It was also one of the first Chinese restaurant
Chinese cuisine
Chinese cuisine is any of several styles originating in the regions of China, some of which have become highly popular in other parts of the world – from Asia to the Americas, Australia, Western Europe and Southern Africa...
in London Chinatown
Chinatown, London
The name Chinatown has been used at different times to describe different places in London. The present Chinatown is part of the Soho area of the City of Westminster, occupying the area in and around Gerrard Street...
to introduce Clay Pot Rice
Kamameshi
Kamameshi literally translates to "kettle rice" and is a traditional Japanese rice dish cooked in an iron pot. Similar to takikomi gohan, kamameshi is a type of Japanese pilaf cooked with various types of meat, seafood, and vegetables. By cooking it in an iron pot, the rice gets slightly burned at...
(煲仔飯).
Chef William Poon personally ran the kitchen in Covent Garden
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
(one Michelin star 1979-80) before it moved to Poons in the City in 1992. The restaurant in the city was modelled on the design of Hong Kong's Luk Yew Tree House and had a 80-seat fast food section. Poons have been patronised by celebrities such as Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
and many theatre stars among the Covent Garden
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
theatres.
Poon is now officially retired and all the chain restaurants are closed, but his wind-dry
Chinese sausage
Chinese sausage is a generic term referring to the many different types of sausages originating in China. It is commonly known by its Cantonese name "Lap Cheong" or "Lap Chong" .-Varieties:...
products are still widely available in UK supermarkets.
Poon continues to work in support of community projects and is currently the Chair of Euro-Chinese Literature Association (歐華文聯)., and the Permanent President of Shunde UK Association. Poon also helps with promoting Chinese cooking standard in the UK and has been on the judging panels for the Chinese MasterChef
MasterChef
MasterChef is a television cooking game show franchise, started with Masterchef". The same MasterChef logo is used around the world. The show has expanded to many versions in other countries.- International adaptations :...
competition organised by Westminster City Council
Westminster City Council
Westminster City Council is the local authority for the City of Westminster in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council and is entitled to be known as a city council, which is a rare distinction in the United Kingdom. The city is divided into 20 wards, each electing three councillors...
. Poon was one of the finalist for the Promotion of Excellence in Chinese Cuisine at the Pearl Award in 2006.
External links
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