Michael Chow (restaurateur)
Michael Chow, known to many simply as Mr. Chow, is a true polymath whose life reads like a who's who of art, fashion, film, and cuisine. From his roots in Shanghai opera royalty to becoming a global restaurateur and a celebrated artist, he has redefined what it means to be a cultural icon. His story isn't just about food; it's about a relentless pursuit of art and identity across continents and disciplines. Michael Chow emerged from a legendary Chinese theatrical lineage, enduring a profound separation from his family during the Cultural Revolution. He revolutionized the restaurant industry by blending high art, fashion, and an intentionally curated celebrity experience with fine dining. Beyond his culinary empire, Chow is a respected architect, art collector, and a formidable painter, returning to his original passion with major exhibitions later in life.
AI Summary
Michael Chow, known to many simply as Mr. Chow, is a true polymath whose life reads like a who's who of art, fashion, film, and cuisine. From his roots in Shanghai opera royalty to becoming a global restaurateur and a celebrated artist, he has redefined what it means to be a cultural icon. His story isn't just about food; it's about a relentless pursuit of art and identity across continents and disciplines.
- Michael Chow emerged from a legendary Chinese theatrical lineage, enduring a profound separation from his family during the Cultural Revolution.
- He revolutionized the restaurant industry by blending high art, fashion, and an intentionally curated celebrity experience with fine dining.
- Beyond his culinary empire, Chow is a respected architect, art collector, and a formidable painter, returning to his original passion with major exhibitions later in life.
The Scion of a Theatrical Dynasty
Born Zhou Yinghua in Shanghai, 1939, Michael Chow inherited a remarkable legacy. His father was Zhou Xinfang, a towering figure in Peking Opera, renowned as one of China's most celebrated actors and a master of the stage. This artistic pedigree would undoubtedly shape young Michael's own adventurous spirit.
His mother, a devout Catholic from a wealthy tea merchant family, gave him the name Michael. He also shares this vibrant lineage with his sister, Tsai Chin, an accomplished actress who famously graced the James Bond films as a 'Bond girl,' further cementing their family's place in the performing arts.
A Journey to the West
At just 12 years old, Chow's life took a dramatic turn when he was sent to a British boarding school. This journey marked a profound separation, as he would spend his formative adolescence in Europe and, after arriving in London in 1952, tragically never again speak to or see his beloved father.
Despite the heartache, London became his new crucible. He immersed himself in the city's burgeoning art scene, studying at the prestigious Saint Martin's School of Art in 1956, and later delving into architectural design at the Hammersmith School of Building and Architecture in 1957. These early studies laid the foundation for his multifaceted career.
During these early years, Michael Chow began to cultivate his artistic talents as a painter, exhibiting his work in multiple London galleries, including the renowned Institute of Contemporary Arts. Simultaneously, he was quietly embarking on an acting career, showcasing his versatility from a young age.
From Hair Salons to Culinary Empires
Before his culinary legend began, Chow, alongside business partner Robin Sutherland, ventured into the world of fashion with 'Smith and Hawes,' a trendy hair salon in London's Sloane Avenue. They eventually sold it to the iconic hairdresser Leonard of Grosvenor Square, a move that saw it become Leonard and Twiggy, a beacon of swinging sixties style.
But Chow had a grander vision. He envisioned a restaurant that would fuse high culture with accessible Chinese cuisine — a concept entirely novel for London at the time. His idea? Authentic Chinese food, served by charismatic Italian waiters, with a menu thoughtfully designed for the British palate.
With Sutherland's financial backing and six talented chefs recruited from Hong Kong, the first Mr Chow opened its doors in Knightsbridge, London, in February 1968. Chow himself meticulously designed the interior, featuring cool green floor tiles and crisp white walls that would become synonymous with the brand's chic aesthetic.
The restaurant quickly became a cultural landmark, not just for its exquisite Pekinese cuisine, but for the art gracing its walls. Chow curated a stunning collection by contemporary masters like David Hockney, Peter Blake, and Allen Jones, making the dining experience as much an art exhibition as a meal. This fusion of art and gastronomy was revolutionary.
The Mr Chow brand rapidly expanded, with three more successful London restaurants. Chow eventually bought out his partner and set his sights on America, bringing his unique blend of dining and artistry to New York, Beverly Hills, Miami, and Las Vegas, establishing a global empire of sophisticated Chinese dining.
The Cultural Ambassador
For Michael Chow, his restaurants have always been more than just places to eat; they are platforms to champion Chinese culture. He visits China regularly, expressing his admiration for the country's economic dynamism and its growing influence on the global stage. He proudly affirms, 'China always has been a great, great nation.'
Despite attracting a dedicated celebrity following and maintaining decades of popularity with their alluring atmosphere and high prices, Mr Chow restaurants have often faced a mixed reception from food critics. Yet, their enduring appeal speaks to the power of a meticulously crafted experience over mere culinary reviews.
Beyond the Table: Art and Architecture
Michael Chow's passion for art extends far beyond his restaurant walls. He's an obsessive collector, famously amassing a collection of portraits of himself by world-renowned artists. His influence in the art world was further recognized when he was appointed to the board of governors for The Broad, downtown Los Angeles's prominent contemporary art museum.
His creative vision also extends to architectural design. Since the 1960s, he has personally designed all his restaurants, alongside exclusive projects like the Giorgio Armani boutiques in Beverly Hills and Las Vegas, and his own striking home in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, each reflecting his distinctive aesthetic.
In 2011, encouraged by artist friends like Julian Schnabel and gallerist Jeffrey Deitch, Chow made a triumphant return to his first love: painting. This resurgence culminated in a powerful solo exhibition at Pearl Lam Galleries in Hong Kong in 2014, showcasing a mature and deeply personal artistic voice.
His most significant exhibition, however, was in 2016 at the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing. This major show served as a heartfelt homage to his father, Zhou Xinfang, bridging his personal history with his artistic present and solidifying his place as a serious artist. His remarkable life was further explored in a 2023 documentary film.
A Full Life
Michael Chow's personal life has been as storied and public as his professional one. He has been married four times, including to model Grace Coddington and socialite Tina Lutz, before finding lasting partnership with Vanessa Rano, whom he married in 2019.
From these unions, he has five children, among them the equally charismatic and talented actress and model, China Chow. His family, much like his career, reflects a vibrant blend of cultures and creative pursuits.
Throughout his diverse career, Chow also maintained a presence in cinema. His filmography spans decades, with appearances in iconic productions like 'You Only Live Twice,' where he shared the screen with his sister Tsai Chin, and later in popular films like 'Rush Hour' and 'Lethal Weapon 4,' showcasing his enduring versatility as an actor.
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Michael Chow (restaurateur)
Michael Chow (simplified Chinese: 周英华; traditional Chinese: 周英華; pinyin: Zhōu Yīnghuá; born 7 March 1939) is a British Chinese restaurateur, interior designer, artist and actor. Chow, also known as M, is the co-founder and owner of the Mr Chow restaurant chain. He has appeared in numerous films, held solo art exhibitions and worked as an architectural designer.
Life and career
Michael Chow (restaurateur)
Chow was born Zhou Yinghua in Shanghai. His father was Zhou Xinfang, one of China's most famous actors of his time and a leading figure of Peking Opera. His mother who was Catholic gave him the name Michael. His sister is an actress and erstwhile Bond girl Tsai Chin.
His mother came from a wealthy family whose fortune had been made in tea. He was sent to a British boarding school when he was 12 and spent his adolescence in Europe; after arriving in London in 1952, he was never able to speak to nor see his father again. In 1956, Chow studied at Saint Martin's School of Arts and the following year at the Hammersmith School of Building and Architecture. He had a career as a painter in parallel with his acting career. He had multiple gallery shows across London, including at the Institute of Contemporary Arts.
Chow and his business partner Robin Sutherland opened "Smith and Hawes", a hair salon in London's Sloane Avenue, which they later sold to the famous hairdresser Leonard of Grosvenor Square, when it became Leonard and Twiggy. Chow then came up with a concept to open a restaurant that offered Chinese food served by Italian waiters, and with a menu the British could understand. Sutherland backed his idea, raised the money, and housed six chefs hired from Hong Kong. Chow designed the restaurant featuring cool green floor tiles and white walls, and Mr Chow opened in Knightsbridge, London in February 1968, serving Pekinese cuisine. Chow bought art by Allen Jones, Peter Blake, Patrick Caulfield, David Hockney and Jim Dine for the walls, which became as celebrated as the food. The partners opened three other Mr Chow restaurants in London before Chow bought Sutherland out and moved to New York. His restaurant chain has expanded to places such as Las Vegas, Miami, New York City and Beverly Hills.
Chow has said his restaurants have always been underlined by "this desire and need to promote the Chinese culture", which he has done through food. He visits China at least twice a year, and has said he's thrilled by the country's economic growth and greater presence on the world stage. "China always has been a great, great nation", Chow said in an interview for The Wall Street Journal and added, "Chinese people — I like them. What can I say?" His restaurants have been widely panned by food critics, but have remained popular for decades due to their ability to attract celebrities with the allure of fancy dining and intentionally high prices.
Chow was appointed to the 12-member board of governors for Edythe and Eli Broad's three-story, $140 million contemporary art museum, The Broad, in downtown Los Angeles.
From an early age, Chow became an obsessive collector of furniture and contemporary art, notably his now famous collection of portraits (of himself) by world-renowned artists. Since the sixties he has designed many architectural projects, including all of his restaurants, the Giorgio Armani boutiques in Beverly Hills and Las Vegas, and his home in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles.
In 2011, Chow returned to his passion for painting with the encouragement of his friends, gallerist Jeffrey Deitch and artist Julian Schnabel. In 2014, his first solo exhibition was held at Pearl Lam Galleries in Hong Kong. His major solo exhibition in 2016 at the Ullens Centre for Contemporary Art in Beijing was an homage to his father, Zhou Xinfang. In 2023, he was the subject of a documentary film.
Personal life
Michael Chow (restaurateur)
He has been married four times, first to Grace Coddington from 1968 to 1969, then to Tina Lutz from 1972 to 1989, and third to Eva Chun from 1992 to 2017. His first three marriages ended in divorce and he has been married to Vanessa Rano since 9 February 2019.
Michael Chow has five children, including China Chow.