chow

Sunday, January 29, 2006

"A charming collection of stories, photographs and sumptuous recipes," says TV Week

Gung Hay Fat Choy!
It's the Chinese Lunar New Year beginning on January 29, and time to celebrate. We're fortunate to have a wonderful Chinese-Canadian community in B.C. offering a tantalizing array of foods and ways to honour the occasion.

We caught up with Janice Wong, artist and author of Chow: From China to Canada: Memories of Food + Family (Whitecap, 2005). The book, originally a gift to her family, is a charming collection of stories, photographs and sumptuous recipes.

Growing up in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Wong recalls receiving treats along with the shipments of Chinese groceries from Vancouver to supply her father's restaurants.

Gung Hey Fat Choy
However you spell it in English, Jan. 29 is the first day of the Chinese New Year, so Happy New Year.

On the lunar calendar used by the Chinese, it is the year 4704, and it's the year of the dog. People born in dog years are believed to be loyal, kind and generous. As part of the celebrations, which are a highlight of the year, children are given "lucky money" in little red envelopes, and, naturally, food plays a big part in the celebrations, which go on for 15 days, until the full moon brightens the night sky on February 13.

With food in mind, consider picking up a good book on Chinese cooking. A new book called Chow, published by Whitecap, is one worth considering, simply for a few excellent recipes and the stories.
Written by Janice Wong, this nicely illustrated book combines her love of family and food with a respect for tradition and history.

Toronto Womens Bookstore Staff Picks for December

Chow: From China to Canada: Memories of Food + Family by Janice Wong. Whitecap, $24.95
There's lots of wonderful Chinese dishes and Western desserts to cook here and they'll taste even better eaten with the knowledge of the family stories and love behind each one. The author's father, Dennis, ran two Chinese-Canadian cafés in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and his story is both unique and a richly-flavoured portion of Chinese-Canadian history.
-Toronto Womens Bookstore, December, 2005

Calgary Sun Chooses Chow for Christmas

We Love Food! Last-Minute Gifts
Chow: From China to Canada: Memories of Food and Family by Janice Wong (Whitecap Books, $24.95) explores how the author's family and food were entwined for decades. There's favourite family dishes, Chinese recipes from her father's restaurants in Prince Albert, Sask., and endless stories and photos.

-Lorena D. Johnson, Calgary Sun, December 14, 2005

The original cover, from the version of the book completed for family members in 2003.

Below, the Chow cover as it appears today.
Whitecap Books, 2005

LINK to contact Janice Wong.

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photographs copyright 2005 Janice Wong and Whitecap Books

Thursday, November 24, 2005

The Richmond Review's Choice for Chinese-Canadian

Chow, from China to Canada: Memories of Food + Family by Janice Wong (Whitecap), tells the heart-rending story of Janice's father who opened two of Canada's first ethnic restaurants in Saskatchewan. Stories of food and family, tried and true family recipes, and a collection of photos, 1940s menus and such make this a bedside read as well.

-Arlene Kroeker, The Richmond Review, November 24, 2005