On the Chinese lunar calendar today is New Year’s Eve, ushering in the year of the Fire Rooster, an auspicious year for business.
In the traditional greeting extended at this time of year Jacky Lee, owner of Hong Shengs Restaurant wishes the community a Happy New Year and Gong Xi Fa Chai, the wish and blessing that people enlarge their wealth in every way.
In China and many other cities around the world where Chinese New Year is celebrated there are lion dance ceremonies, fireworks, and special family dinners.
Lucky candy in red wrappers and bright red lucky money envelopes are also exchanged with wishes for prosperity and happiness in the new year.
For many years the Williams Lake Chinese community held lion dance celebrations on Oliver Street. But Jacky says the Chinese community here is smaller now than it once was and the colourful lion dance mascot and other items used in the celebration are now on display at the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin.
“In China the celebration goes on for several days so that all families can have time to celebrate together,” Jacky says.
Traditionally, he says families gather for a special breakfast and then a special late night, vegetarian dinner just after midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Much of the traditional food they would normally eat during the dinner is not available in Canada, he says.
While his family will have a celebratory dinner together sometime this weekend, Jacky, his wife Sissi and sister-in-law, Christina, will be busier than usual this weekend cooking at their family run Hong Shengs Restaurant, one of about five Chinese and Asian restaurants popular in the lakecity.
Jacky and Sissi’s children Marco, 7, and Emiko, 3, are regular visitors to the restaurant, often greeting regular customers with their smiles and friendly chatter.
With pride, Jacky insists his two regular waitresses Renee Noskey and Breanna Roussel be in their family picture.
“We are like family,” Noskey quietly says later.
Jacky grew up in the Guangdong province of China, just north of Hong Kong, learning the craft of Chinese cooking by helping out in restaurants owned by his father and aunts.
“I learned mostly by watching and listening to my dad,” Jacky says.
His training continued when his family immigrated to Canada in 1993.
For a number of years he spent time helping out in restaurants his parents and extended family opened in Vancouver and Fort St. James.
Travelling between the two communities Jacky says he always enjoyed stopping in Williams Lake, so in 2004 when the opportunity came to purchase Hong Shengs Restaurant he jumped at the opportunity.
“We love it here,” Jacky says. Whenever they can he says they enjoy going out as a family fishing, biking, swimming and enjoying other outdoor activities.
As for any negative cautions that might be associated with the 2017 Year of the Red Rooster Jacky is adamant.
“I always focus on the positive,” Jacky says.