Latest / Coffee In The Park with Jennifer and Cam / A Coffee with Amy Quon from The Lingnan Restaurant

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A Coffee with Amy Quon from The Lingnan Restaurant · Coffee In The Park with Jennifer and Cam

• 0:13
  Well, good morning, everybody, and welcome to another edition of the ABA Coffee In The Park.
• 0:19
  My name is Cam Milliken, and I'm here with my co-host extraordinaire, the executive director of the Acheson Business Association, Jennifer Herrick.
• 0:26
  Hello, Jennifer.
• 0:27
  Hi, Cam, how are you today?
• 0:28
  I'm doing great, Jennifer.
• 0:30
  I am doing really good.
• 0:31
  Little cooler today, but you know what?
• 0:33
  It's fall, winter's coming, it's awesome.
• 0:35
  How are you doing?
• 0:36
  I'm doing good as well.
• 0:38
  It is a beautiful Tuesday morning, and I'm excited for this podcast today.
• 0:42
  Me too.
• 0:43
  I am very excited about this one.
• 0:45
  We have a special guest who we'll get to in just a moment or two.
• 0:48
  But Jennifer, anything you need to tell us about some important people?
• 0:52
  We would like to thank our gold corporate sponsors, which include the MyShak Group of Companies, Genics and Parkland County.
• 0:57
  We would like to thank these businesses for all that they do for the Acheson Business Association.
• 1:02
  Yes, because without them, we would not be able to do what we do.
• 1:06
  And so thank you very much for helping us.
• 1:08
  Hey, we have kind of a new segment, Jennifer, and it's called fan mail.
• 1:13
  And so we're going to read some fan mail.
• 1:16
  And thank you for sending it in.
• 1:17
  So Jennifer, why don't you go first and read a letter that you were sent?
• 1:22
  Well, this is great.
• 1:23
  We've been receiving all kinds of wonderful feedback on the podcast.
• 1:27
  So thank you for everybody for taking the time to send that in to us.
• 1:32
  So like Cam said, this is a new segment that we're going to incorporate.
• 1:35
  And we just want to share a little bit of the information and fan mail that we've received so far.
• 1:40
  So Cam, I got an email saying, Hello Jennifer and Cam, I'm a faithful listener to your podcast and wanted to let you know that I really enjoy the stories of the people you've interviewed.
• 1:51
  I find them encouraging, informative and interesting.
• 1:54
  You're both excellent hosts and very natural.
• 1:57
  You must have been doing this together for a long time.
• 1:59
  I look forward to Thursday's, Keep Up The Good Work from Todd in Edmonton.
• 2:04
  Ah, thank you Todd, that's awesome.
• 2:06
  And so Jennifer, I received an email and this is what it says, I'm so happy that my daughter recommended that I listen to your podcast.
• 2:15
  Listening to your guests share their stories has been amazing.
• 2:18
  And I look forward to the new episode that comes out every Thursday.
• 2:22
  The two of you are amazing co-hosts and I can feel how you've put the guests you interview at ease.
• 2:28
  Keep it up.
• 2:29
  PS.
• 2:30
  I stopped by The Wall Coffee Roaster in beautiful downtown Acheson and it did not disappoint.
• 2:36
  That comes from Susan in Edmonton.
• 2:38
  Thank you, Susan.
• 2:39
  Thank you, Susan.
• 2:40
  Yeah.
• 2:40
  And we really appreciate all of those kind letters and emails and notes like that.
• 2:45
  And yeah, if you have any suggestions, hey, drop us a note and let us know.
• 2:50
  It's great that somebody actually went to The Wall Coffee Roasters, too.
• 2:54
  I know.
• 2:54
  Oh, and so hey, in beautiful downtown Acheson, The Wall Coffee Roasters is a great place to hang out.
• 3:02
  It sure is.
• 3:03
  So today, we actually are not broadcasting from The Wall Coffee Roasters.
• 3:10
  We are not.
• 3:12
  We have gone rogue again, and we are remote on a different location.
• 3:17
  Cam, tell us where we are.
• 3:19
  Well, we are at one of my favorite places in the entire city of Edmonton.
• 3:24
  We are sitting right now in the dining room of the oldest Chinese restaurant in Edmonton, The Lingnan.
• 3:33
  Classic.
• 3:34
  The Lingnan.
• 3:35
  For anybody in Edmonton, you know this spot.
• 3:40
  I agree.
• 3:40
  Best Chinese food around.
• 3:41
  No doubt.
• 3:42
  It's amazing.
• 3:43
  And this is a beautiful restaurant and a great place to podcast.
• 3:47
  And we are here for a very specific reason today, Jennifer.
• 3:52
  So why don't you go ahead and interview, introduce our guest for us today?
• 3:57
  So our guest today is Amy Quon.
• 3:59
  And for anybody in Edmonton, you will know Amy as the owner operator of Chicken for Lunch, Cam.
• 4:07
  That's right.
• 4:08
  The famous Chicken for Lunch in downtown Edmonton.
• 4:11
  That's right.
• 4:12
  Sadly, Chicken for Lunch is no longer, but it was there for over 30 years.
• 4:17
  And if you were in the downtown core, you went to Chicken for Lunch and you stood in line because it was worth it.
• 4:23
  That's right.
• 4:23
  If you worked downtown, you had Chicken for Lunch.
• 4:26
  Chicken for Lunch.
• 4:27
  And so introduce our guest to us today.
• 4:29
  And now you will find Amy at her family restaurant, The Lingnan, which has been an Edmonton icon for 75 years.
• 4:38
  75 years.
• 4:39
  So welcome Amy.
• 4:40
  Amy, good to have you.
• 4:42
  Well, thank you very much for inviting me.
• 4:44
  It's just an honor to be on with you.
• 4:47
  Thank you.
• 4:48
  Well, thank you.
• 4:50
  It's our pleasure.
• 4:51
  So Amy, let's kick it off.
• 4:53
  Tell us a little bit about yourself.
• 4:55
  Where did you grow up?
• 4:57
  Oh, I was born in Hong Kong and I also make in Hong Kong.
• 5:02
  And I've been in Hong Kong for more than, for about 20 years.
• 5:06
  So you were born in Hong Kong and you were made in Hong Kong.
• 5:09
  Okay, so made in Hong Kong.
• 5:11
  That's very important, yes.
• 5:12
  Yes, because everybody say make in China, but I'm special one.
• 5:16
  Made in Hong Kong, that's right, yeah.
• 5:19
  And after I graduated from high school, I worked as elementary school for two years.
• 5:27
  The principal like me so much, he offered me a job as a principal.
• 5:32
  Wow.
• 5:32
  Yeah.
• 5:33
  So you worked there two years.
• 5:34
  Yes.
• 5:34
  You did such an awesome job.
• 5:36
  Yes.
• 5:36
  He said, do you want to be principal?
• 5:38
  Yes, but I need a degree.
• 5:40
  So that's reason why I have come to Edmonton, Concordia College for the study.
• 5:48
  Okay.
• 5:49
  Yes.
• 5:50
  And then I met my husband, Kinman.
• 5:55
  And by that time, I'm a newcomer, so he always bring me around, show me around the city.
• 6:01
  Okay.
• 6:01
  Yeah.
• 6:02
  You need to tell us this story about Kinman because that's a very interesting story, you and Kinman.
• 6:08
  Yes.
• 6:08
  But you know, by that time, he had the girlfriends in Hong Kong.
• 6:13
  But all his uncle and his parents persuade him that Amy is the better choice, with a pair of attractive eyes and nice and pleasant.
• 6:24
  Okay.
• 6:24
  So wait, so Kinman already had a girlfriend, and all of a sudden, Amy comes into the picture, and they wanted you to marry Kinman.
• 6:33
  Yes.
• 6:34
  But Kinman said, no, I'm not his cup of tea.
• 6:38
  Oh, Amy.
• 6:40
  Yeah.
• 6:40
  Because he said, I talk too much.
• 6:43
  Okay.
• 6:44
  And also I'm too choppy.
• 6:47
  But anyway, by that time, I'm not choppy.
• 6:48
  Only 125.
• 6:50
  But he said, I'm too choppy.
• 6:52
  Okay.
• 6:52
  Okay.
• 6:53
  That's all his excuse.
• 6:55
  Yeah.
• 6:55
  So that's okay.
• 6:56
  So we just, you know, for me, I just friends, right?
• 6:59
  Yeah.
• 7:00
  Once in a while, we see him.
• 7:01
  He showed me the place of Edmonton.
• 7:05
  But for a while, he suddenly showed up at my school, at my school door during my coffee time and lunch time.
• 7:14
  So he just showed up.
• 7:15
  He just showed up.
• 7:15
  Yeah.
• 7:16
  Waiting for me.
• 7:16
  Waiting.
• 7:17
  Waiting, waiting.
• 7:19
  And then he take me out for lunch.
• 7:22
  And even though he picked me from the bus stop, he picked me from the bus stop.
• 7:29
  I still remember, it's so funny by that time.
• 7:32
  And followed me everywhere.
• 7:34
  So were you beginning to think that maybe there was something more happening here?
• 7:37
  Oh, he tell me he got time in the morning because he only work in the evening.
• 7:43
  Because the weather is cold.
• 7:44
  So I said, that's okay.
• 7:45
  So, okay, that's okay.
• 7:47
  But he never left me alone.
• 7:50
  Okay.
• 7:51
  So after later on, so I have to extend my student visa.
• 7:56
  Because we have to extend student visa.
• 7:58
  Yes.
• 7:58
  Yeah.
• 7:59
  And we have to go to see a lawyer to extend the visa.
• 8:03
  Right.
• 8:03
  And his cousins, because all his cousin, his friend, relative like me so much, he suggested to get married.
• 8:12
  Okay.
• 8:13
  And I told Kinman, I can't because I have to finish my degree.
• 8:17
  Right.
• 8:17
  Okay.
• 8:18
  But Kinman said, don't worry, I can support you.
• 8:23
  You don't need a degree.
• 8:24
  Even you finish school, you still have to be at home.
• 8:27
  Right.
• 8:27
  Okay.
• 8:28
  So I said, oh, that will be great.
• 8:30
  This guy must be rich.
• 8:32
  Have a nice big restaurant.
• 8:35
  You know, so I said, oh, that's great.
• 8:37
  Okay.
• 8:38
  So I just said, okay, I do.
• 8:40
  And that's the reason why we get married so rush in spring break.
• 8:44
  Oh, so it was easier to get married than get a student visa.
• 8:48
  Exactly.
• 8:49
  Okay.
• 8:49
  Yeah.
• 8:49
  Okay.
• 8:50
  That makes sense.
• 8:50
  It does make sense.
• 8:51
  For all of you, no, I'm not even going to suggest it.
• 8:53
  But yeah, okay.
• 8:54
  And also by that time, remember, I said, I got a rich man.
• 8:57
  Rich man.
• 8:57
  Right.
• 8:58
  I don't have to work.
• 8:59
  This exactly is, I don't have to work.
• 9:00
  I still remember.
• 9:01
  Okay?
• 9:02
  Yeah.
• 9:02
  So after that, we get married.
• 9:04
  And then we have three children.
• 9:06
  I didn't work at all.
• 9:07
  I have three children.
• 9:08
  I got Miles, I got Mandy, and then I have Marty.
• 9:13
  Right.
• 9:13
  Okay.
• 9:14
  By Miles, six years old, my mom was in Canada now, so she can babysit me.
• 9:22
  So I got lots of time.
• 9:23
  Okay.
• 9:24
  But I cannot come to the Lingnan to work.
• 9:27
  Because Kinman, by that time, is a partnership.
• 9:31
  He said no women involved.
• 9:33
  No women?
• 9:34
  No women at all.
• 9:35
  At the Lingnan?
• 9:35
  At Lingnan.
• 9:36
  Wow.
• 9:37
  No women.
• 9:37
  Okay.
• 9:38
  Even the staff, all men.
• 9:39
  All men.
• 9:40
  Really?
• 9:41
  All men.
• 9:42
  Okay.
• 9:42
  They are all, they are all, you know, stubborn, traditional Chinese.
• 9:46
  Okay?
• 9:48
  So that's okay.
• 9:49
  So after that, I got my first job.
• 9:52
  I remember I worked in my neighborhood Chinese restaurant.
• 9:58
  Oh, so a different restaurant, not the Lingnan?
• 9:59
  No, no.
• 10:00
  A different one.
• 10:00
  I got close to my house.
• 10:02
  The competitor.
• 10:03
  The competition.
• 10:04
  But I didn't tell them.
• 10:05
  I own a Lingnan.
• 10:07
  Because they said, how come you know the big Chinese will come to work for me?
• 10:11
  Are you the spy?
• 10:12
  So I never tell.
• 10:13
  I never tell.
• 10:14
  I never tell that I own the Lingnan.
• 10:18
  Okay.
• 10:19
  Sorry, I didn't own the Lingnan.
• 10:21
  I didn't own the Lingnan.
• 10:21
  But you didn't tell them your husband owned the Lingnan.
• 10:23
  That's right.
• 10:24
  Yes.
• 10:25
  I didn't mention.
• 10:25
  Okay.
• 10:26
  Not mentioned at all.
• 10:28
  So after for a while, a friend of mine strongly recommend me to work at the Salvation Army.
• 10:35
  Because Salvation Army, by that time, they need a lady can speak bilingual.
• 10:41
  Right.
• 10:41
  Because they're around Chinatown.
• 10:44
  So they need somebody can speak Chinese, can help people out.
• 10:47
  Right.
• 10:48
  So I said, okay, that will be good.
• 10:50
  So I go to work there.
• 10:52
  But I'm so lucky.
• 10:54
  Just for a year, you know what?
• 10:58
  I'm store manager already.
• 11:00
  Oh, wow.
• 11:03
  You moved up the ladder quick.
• 11:04
  Wow.
• 11:05
  People like me.
• 11:05
  Yeah.
• 11:06
  The point is people like me.
• 11:08
  Right.
• 11:09
  So after that, at the Salvation Army, and somebody is a customer from Salvation Army.
• 11:15
  He said, Amy, you work so hard.
• 11:17
  You are so great.
• 11:19
  Why don't you think about, she's working in the Norwood Extend Care.
• 11:24
  So she even brought me the form to fill up.
• 11:29
  And then she even offered me to take me to interview.
• 11:34
  So I interview in the Norwood Extend Care.
• 11:37
  Okay.
• 11:38
  There, I just work.
• 11:39
  First, I work as on-call dietary aid.
• 11:44
  That means in the morning, deliver breakfast, lunch to the residents.
• 11:50
  Yeah.
• 11:50
  Okay.
• 11:51
  But after that, they said I work, they like me too.
• 11:54
  So what happened is they offer me as a assistant cook.
• 11:59
  They train me.
• 11:59
  Okay.
• 12:00
  That is a good opportunity.
• 12:03
  That's the reason why I learned lots of recipes, the Canadian recipe.
• 12:08
  I know how to do the kitchen work, the hygiene, everything.
• 12:11
  Okay.
• 12:11
  So you became a cook at the Norwood Extended Care.
• 12:14
  Not the cook.
• 12:15
  Assistant cook.
• 12:15
  Assistant cook.
• 12:15
  Assistant cook.
• 12:16
  Right.
• 12:16
  Right.
• 12:17
  Okay.
• 12:17
  But what happened by that time, I'm on call, so they always call me in the morning.
• 12:24
  Like 5 o'clock, they call you, hey, come to work, Amy.
• 12:27
  I always go.
• 12:29
  So my kid one time, Miles, told me, Mom, I don't like every morning when we get up.
• 12:35
  They only see a lunchbox on the table.
• 12:38
  So they don't want it.
• 12:40
  No mom, just the lunchbox.
• 12:41
  No mom, just the lunchbox.
• 12:42
  And he didn't like that.
• 12:43
  He didn't like that.
• 12:44
  No.
• 12:44
  And at the same time, when at home, I always pick them up at the school, right?
• 12:49
  Okay.
• 12:49
  So Kinman is the one to pick them up at the school.
• 12:51
  But Kinman is always late.
• 12:54
  Okay?
• 12:55
  Right now, he's still always late.
• 12:57
  Still always late.
• 12:58
  Still always late.
• 12:59
  Yeah, yeah, okay.
• 13:00
  He's so late that when we work chicken for lunch, I fire him.
• 13:07
  Oh, that's great.
• 13:09
  So he, when the three kids walked from school to home, he's still in bed.
• 13:16
  He's still, so he forgot to pick them up.
• 13:18
  Yeah.
• 13:18
  Okay.
• 13:19
  Yeah.
• 13:19
  Okay.
• 13:19
  So because all this reason, I think about, oh, I should change the job.
• 13:24
  So why I think about, I should get a job that only work in the morning.
• 13:28
  From nine, drop off the kid, nine to two.
• 13:31
  Right.
• 13:31
  So that time for school drop.
• 13:33
  Yeah.
• 13:34
  Perfect.
• 13:34
  Yes.
• 13:35
  This is my plan.
• 13:36
  Okay.
• 13:36
  So I see there's the opening in the food court, or office building.
• 13:41
  So that will be good opportunity.
• 13:43
  Right?
• 13:44
  Yeah.
• 13:45
  But Kinman not agree, because the business there is really slow.
• 13:49
  Right.
• 13:49
  So Kinman always say, Amy, you just use the money to buy the job.
• 13:56
  So buy the business.
• 13:57
  No, I buy the business, but what happened is I can work, but Kinman said I use the money to buy the job.
• 14:02
  Oh, you use the money.
• 14:04
  Use the money to buy the job.
• 14:06
  Okay, this is how we started.
• 14:07
  I tell you make a job for yourself.
• 14:09
  You just buy the business.
• 14:10
  Yeah.
• 14:10
  Buy the business.
• 14:11
  Okay.
• 14:11
  So I buy the, this is the 1992.
• 14:15
  But when I worked there very slow, I still remember, I go there at night, around night, I go there by bus.
• 14:22
  Because I never go there by bus, parking is very hard.
• 14:25
  Right.
• 14:25
  So by night, then I finish about two or three.
• 14:28
  That's okay.
• 14:30
  But later on, I got more recipe.
• 14:33
  I'm thinking about, okay, before it's not Chicken For Lunch.
• 14:38
  Because it's got chicken variety.
• 14:40
  Okay.
• 14:41
  There's two chicken variety in Edmonton.
• 14:43
  Right now, still got one in Canada place.
• 14:45
  The people, we're getting more popular.
• 14:48
  The people call, they said that we order ready.
• 14:51
  They said nothing, we never get your order.
• 14:52
  Wrong one.
• 14:53
  They were calling the wrong one.
• 14:54
  Yeah.
• 14:55
  So after that, we change our name.
• 14:58
  So what is the name, right?
• 15:00
  I only sell chicken, different kind of chicken.
• 15:02
  Right.
• 15:02
  So Kinman asked me one day, what do you like for lunch?
• 15:04
  I said chicken.
• 15:05
  So we got chicken for lunch.
• 15:07
  Chicken for lunch.
• 15:08
  What a way to make the name.
• 15:09
  It's perfect.
• 15:10
  Chicken for lunch.
• 15:11
  That's right.
• 15:11
  Yes.
• 15:12
  And after I work chicken for lunch, the business is getting popular.
• 15:16
  Yeah.
• 15:16
  The reason why they know I got relationship with Lingnan, because some people saw my face and they have the confidence on me.
• 15:24
  Right.
• 15:25
  So this is a good benefit.
• 15:26
  Yeah.
• 15:26
  Okay.
• 15:27
  So after that, I work hard, I got new lots of recipe, and I'm nice and kind to the people.
• 15:34
  And I'm generous to the people too.
• 15:37
  So lots of food.
• 15:38
  Lots of food.
• 15:38
  Yeah.
• 15:39
  Lots of, you know, so funny.
• 15:41
  I always give people extra, extra, extra food.
• 15:44
  I know that every time I talk to people who went to chicken for lunch, they always say you gave them extra, lots of extra food.
• 15:49
  Yeah.
• 15:50
  But this is how to show the appreciation to the customer line up.
• 15:54
  So Kinman talked to me beside, Amy, you watch, you watch your portion.
• 15:58
  Every portion, each lunch box, you lost this excited, you lost 30 cents.
• 16:04
  Okay?
• 16:04
  You watch, you watch.
• 16:06
  I cannot say it.
• 16:07
  I said, Kinman, take a holiday in the office.
• 16:11
  Okay?
• 16:12
  I pay you back.
• 16:13
  After lunch, I pay you back.
• 16:16
  And after that, I said, 30 cents, right, for lunch box I lost, but can make me happy.
• 16:22
  It worth it.
• 16:22
  Exactly.
• 16:23
  And your customers are happy.
• 16:24
  And your customers are happy.
• 16:25
  Yeah.
• 16:26
  That is funny, right?
• 16:27
  Yeah.
• 16:27
  Okay.
• 16:28
  So after that, I worked there for 32 years.
• 16:32
  32 years.
• 16:33
  And after that, my lease up.
• 16:35
  Right.
• 16:36
  My lease up.
• 16:37
  Just, you know, like 30 years, my lease up.
• 16:41
  And I'm getting a little bit older.
• 16:44
  Right.
• 16:44
  Though I don't want to be continued anymore because Kinman said, Kinman always said, you don't have to work.
• 16:53
  You don't have to work.
• 16:55
  I can support you.
• 16:56
  He told you that when you got married.
• 16:58
  You didn't have to work.
• 16:59
  Yeah, that's right.
• 17:00
  Right now, he still say, you don't have to work.
• 17:02
  I support you.
• 17:03
  Yeah.
• 17:03
  But after that, so I'm just joking, okay?
• 17:07
  By that time, people interview from the radio.
• 17:10
  Yeah.
• 17:10
  Now, let's talk about that for a minute.
• 17:12
  Because when you decided to close down Chicken For Lunch, when the word got out that you were closing down, all of a sudden, the lineups were huge.
• 17:22
  You know what?
• 17:23
  People line up for two and a half hours.
• 17:26
  Two and a half hours.
• 17:28
  For the last couple days.
• 17:30
  Yes.
• 17:30
  I'm so impressed.
• 17:32
  I'm overwhelmed.
• 17:33
  And then I don't know how to say thank you.
• 17:36
  Right.
• 17:36
  And then all the media came.
• 17:37
  The television came.
• 17:39
  It was a big deal.
• 17:40
  It was a big deal in Edmonton.
• 17:41
  In the whole week.
• 17:43
  You know what?
• 17:43
  I'm more even popular than the mayor.
• 17:48
  By that we own it.
• 17:50
  By that we own it.
• 17:51
  Okay?
• 17:52
  If you're interested, I know anyway.
• 17:53
  I won't go down that road.
• 17:55
  Yes.
• 17:55
  Exactly.
• 17:56
  And then people are very concerned.
• 17:58
  How can I close?
• 18:00
  Everyone asks, Amy, where are you going?
• 18:02
  Are you going to open a store?
• 18:03
  Where?
• 18:04
  Tell me.
• 18:04
  Tell me.
• 18:04
  Tell me.
• 18:05
  Everybody asks.
• 18:06
  And then I just, you know, I just, I said, no, I'm not working at other place.
• 18:11
  I got a job offer already.
• 18:13
  Even a bigger position.
• 18:15
  I'm the CEO of The Lingnan.
• 18:17
  The CEO of The Lingnan.
• 18:20
  From chicken to lunch to the CEO of The Lingnan.
• 18:23
  That's right.
• 18:23
  Wow.
• 18:24
  That's a promotion.
• 18:25
  But you know what?
• 18:26
  I got in trouble after that.
• 18:29
  Because?
• 18:29
  Because.
• 18:30
  And then my son, you know, sometimes the people have to complain or something to deal with, wherever.
• 18:38
  Miles, my son.
• 18:38
  I was like, mom, you're the CEO.
• 18:40
  You deal with it.
• 18:41
  You deal with it.
• 18:42
  So you deal with the issues.
• 18:44
  Yes.
• 18:45
  I deal with it.
• 18:45
  So all the problems now, you have to deal with them.
• 18:47
  Yes.
• 18:47
  I deal with it.
• 18:48
  Yeah.
• 18:48
  Like people come late.
• 18:50
  Yeah.
• 18:50
  Like the staff come late.
• 18:52
  Or wherever I have to talk to the deal with the staff and then deal with the customer.
• 18:59
  That's not easy.
• 19:01
  And because I'm the CEO, but I don't get paid.
• 19:06
  The CEO is working for free.
• 19:08
  Yeah.
• 19:09
  I don't know if you had a good agent on that one, signing your deal for you.
• 19:13
  Because you work hard.
• 19:14
  Yeah.
• 19:14
  You do work hard, Amy.
• 19:15
  You work hard.
• 19:16
  I work really hard.
• 19:17
  Okay.
• 19:17
  So now you're the CEO of The Lingnan.
• 19:19
  Yes.
• 19:20
  But I work harder than the boss.
• 19:21
  Yes.
• 19:23
  Than Kinman.
• 19:23
  Yeah.
• 19:24
  Than Kinman and my son.
• 19:25
  Yeah.
• 19:25
  I spend more hours here.
• 19:27
  Right.
• 19:27
  Right.
• 19:27
  I usually, my restaurant opened at like five.
• 19:32
  I come here already, one-thirty already.
• 19:34
  Right.
• 19:34
  I come here because I have to take the phone call, the online, check the online, everything, and I have to pick up the staff to work.
• 19:43
  Okay.
• 19:44
  Let's talk about that for a minute.
• 19:46
  That is amazing.
• 19:47
  So for all of our listeners, you want to hear about employee-employer relationships and how to build a culture.
• 19:55
  Amy, tell us, you pick up, and not only pick up your staff, you wait for them and take them home.
• 20:02
  Yes.
• 20:02
  I pick them up from the home.
• 20:04
  Yes.
• 20:05
  Okay.
• 20:06
  Right now, I only pick one on the way.
• 20:09
  Some people, I even give some money to another staff, but I tell him, don't tell, because it don't feel bad, right?
• 20:15
  Yeah.
• 20:16
  To take the other staff.
• 20:17
  Those people don't have car.
• 20:20
  And after, but every night, I wait for them finish until 10 o'clock.
• 20:24
  I'm the last one and take them back home.
• 20:27
  And then you drive them home?
• 20:28
  I drive them home.
• 20:30
  My goodness.
• 20:30
  That's amazing.
• 20:31
  That's absolutely, I don't know of too many bosses or CEOs.
• 20:35
  I don't think there's any CEOs doing this.
• 20:37
  No, I don't think there's any CEOs that would do that.
• 20:39
  That's amazing to me.
• 20:41
  Wow.
• 20:41
  Yes, but they appreciate them.
• 20:43
  Who is the longest staff member, the person who's been here the longest?
• 20:47
  How long?
• 20:47
  Okay, the one, you know, talk about one before first.
• 20:51
  One before, my longest, the staff, is the cook, the chef.
• 20:55
  Number one chef, he worked for me 45 years.
• 20:58
  45 years.
• 21:00
  Wow.
• 21:00
  When we do the TV show, we even brought him together to China.
• 21:05
  Right, right.
• 21:05
  And we'll talk about the show in a minute.
• 21:06
  So 45 years.
• 21:08
  Yes.
• 21:08
  But right now, I got another one, the driver, worked here for 45 years too.
• 21:14
  45 years.
• 21:15
  Yes, 45 years.
• 21:16
  That is unbelievable.
• 21:17
  It's unheard of actually.
• 21:18
  It really is.
• 21:19
  I mean, you know, Amy, I've been coming to the restaurant since I was about six or seven years old.
• 21:24
  And I remember, and then I moved away for a while, and every time we came back, we came to The Lingnan, and I see the same waiters all the time, all the time.
• 21:33
  Very, very people who have just been here forever, like forever.
• 21:39
  You know what, I got a waiter, and he's been working for me for 32 years too.
• 21:46
  That's incredible.
• 21:47
  But he still come and help us out one day.
• 21:50
  Okay.
• 21:50
  One day, but in case we need him, he come again.
• 21:53
  Right.
• 21:53
  So he's, everybody just treat it as a family.
• 21:56
  Right.
• 21:57
  You know, just family.
• 21:58
  Yeah, so what is the key to your success in keeping people for so long?
• 22:02
  Why do they stay?
• 22:04
  You know, the first, I always generous to them.
• 22:06
  I care.
• 22:07
  That is very important.
• 22:08
  You care the people and kind to the people and also give them compliment.
• 22:14
  Right.
• 22:15
  Now, when they do a good job, I always compliment them and highlight.
• 22:19
  Yes.
• 22:20
  And every time, oh, you are so smart.
• 22:22
  You do a good job.
• 22:22
  Okay, I buy you some to treat.
• 22:24
  When I treat, the whole restaurant go treat.
• 22:28
  All the staff go treat.
• 22:29
  That's why every day we have to treat.
• 22:32
  Because so many staff, right?
• 22:34
  Yeah.
• 22:34
  So I say, oh, because you do a good job.
• 22:36
  That's the reason why.
• 22:37
  And also, always Google Review.
• 22:40
  We got lots of nice Google Reviews.
• 22:42
  So you've had customers who like me, who have come for, well, I bet there's some who have been here for 75 years.
• 22:50
  Yes.
• 22:50
  I got some customer comes before long time.
• 22:54
  The Lingnan started in 1947.
• 22:56
  Right.
• 22:57
  And it was before this is the Canada place there.
• 23:00
  Yeah.
• 23:00
  They've been coming there.
• 23:01
  Right now, they're 103 years old.
• 23:04
  Just had the birthday here.
• 23:06
  Yes.
• 23:06
  Wow.
• 23:07
  Yes.
• 23:07
  You know, they are, but they are just remember Lingnan.
• 23:10
  Yes.
• 23:10
  So so appreciate, you know, they, they, they even, even they do a life celebration here.
• 23:16
  Yeah.
• 23:17
  Well, my mother, 93 years old, she remembers coming when, when you were just opened, like just in the other location there.
• 23:25
  She remembers that.
• 23:26
  So that's how long people have been coming to The Lingnan.
• 23:29
  Yes.
• 23:29
  It's incredible.
• 23:30
  Yeah.
• 23:30
  We've been serving the right now.
• 23:33
  We are third generation.
• 23:35
  Incredible.
• 23:35
  The beings before it started with the Kinmans, uncles and dad.
• 23:41
  And after the Kinmans is second generation.
• 23:44
  And right now, Miles and my kid, the third generation.
• 23:48
  But we've been serving the fourth generation now.
• 23:51
  Wow.
• 23:52
  Incredible.
• 23:52
  That's amazing, Amy.
• 23:54
  It is.
• 23:54
  It's absolutely incredible.
• 23:56
  And you are so popular and so well known.
• 24:00
  Let's back it up.
• 24:01
  And because you did mention it, let's talk about that TV show.
• 24:04
  Yes.
• 24:04
  The TV, The Quon Dynasty.
• 24:06
  The Quon Dynasty.
• 24:07
  Yes.
• 24:07
  You know what?
• 24:08
  We have the two TV shows.
• 24:11
  Okay.
• 24:11
  First one, we are on the Food Network first.
• 24:14
  Oh, Food Network.
• 24:15
  Okay.
• 24:15
  On the Food Network first.
• 24:17
  Bobby Flay and all of them.
• 24:18
  Yeah.
• 24:18
  We've been on the Food Network.
• 24:20
  And after that, we are really, really, you know, like a very happy, everybody like it so much.
• 24:26
  So and then we go to the City TV.
• 24:30
  That is, we make the Quon Dynasty.
• 24:33
  Right.
• 24:33
  For 13 episodes.
• 24:35
  Okay.
• 24:36
  So for the Quon, those two, you know, like TV show bring us, we getting out of the window, right?
• 24:44
  So we got more famous, more popular because of two TV show.
• 24:49
  Yeah.
• 24:50
  Some people, I remember when it's airing, like the Food Network the first time, people line up at my Chicken For Lunch to see how they do the show, you know, like.
• 25:01
  Yeah.
• 25:02
  Because you're a TV star now.
• 25:03
  Yes.
• 25:03
  Yes.
• 25:04
  You know.
• 25:04
  They want to come see you.
• 25:05
  Yeah.
• 25:05
  They come and see me.
• 25:07
  And also they come all different part of the city come and see me.
• 25:09
  Yeah.
• 25:10
  And after that, we do the Quon Dynasty.
• 25:13
  It's really popular.
• 25:14
  I still remember, get back to long time already, the Quon Dynasty about 12 years ago.
• 25:21
  This summer, some people come from Shanghai.
• 25:25
  I'm so surprised.
• 25:27
  He watched me on Shanghai.
• 25:29
  How can you watch me on Shanghai?
• 25:31
  Yeah.
• 25:31
  They said that they want to come for long, long time.
• 25:35
  The episode that really impressed they to come and see me because my birthday.
• 25:40
  Everybody forget my birthday.
• 25:42
  So they talk about it.
• 25:43
  Right.
• 25:44
  The reason why, because they do, we do the Chinese version.
• 25:48
  They sell all over the world.
• 25:50
  Like we've been in Mexico, Italy, Philippines, all over.
• 25:55
  So the people from China, they watch us because we are the first Chinese to do the, in Northern America, do the show.
• 26:04
  So they come here to see me.
• 26:06
  So I bet if you Google, if you're listening to us and you're, I'd like to watch that.
• 26:10
  I bet if you Googled Quon Dynasty, you'd find it somewhere on the Internet for sure.
• 26:14
  It would be there.
• 26:15
  Amy, that was on city TV back in the day.
• 26:18
  Yes.
• 26:18
  Right now, they can find us too.
• 26:21
  Because these two TV show, people know me more.
• 26:26
  That's reason why they know how hardworking I am.
• 26:30
  In the small Chicken For Lunch, at the Scopus Play before.
• 26:35
  And, you know, and all those, they nominate me as the Woman of Vision in 2013 to 2014.
• 26:45
  Wow.
• 26:46
  Wow.
• 26:47
  Yes.
• 26:48
  But I'm so impressed that is, you know what?
• 26:51
  I'm very little.
• 26:52
  I'm very little start because by 10 women, they are so, they are so cateable.
• 26:59
  They can manage a big company.
• 27:03
  Billion dollar and then they are the top of the judge, provincial judge.
• 27:09
  They are very popular.
• 27:10
  They do so much, you know, as compared to me.
• 27:14
  I'm the most little small star.
• 27:18
  But you know what?
• 27:19
  I shine bright.
• 27:20
  Yes, you do.
• 27:21
  You do shine bright.
• 27:22
  And Amy, you shine bright because I don't know how you do it, but you remember customers and you remember their orders.
• 27:30
  Yes.
• 27:30
  I think that is just amazing.
• 27:32
  I agree.
• 27:33
  I've never seen anybody.
• 27:34
  And I've been here a lot.
• 27:35
  I've been around you a lot.
• 27:37
  You remember their name.
• 27:38
  You remember what they like.
• 27:40
  And everyone walks out of here feeling so special.
• 27:43
  You know how come?
• 27:44
  Because I care.
• 27:45
  Yeah.
• 27:45
  The most important thing is I care.
• 27:47
  When you care people, then you put everything.
• 27:50
  Yeah.
• 27:51
  You know, like one time, the most funny thing is I cannot remember what my my children like.
• 27:58
  Okay.
• 27:59
  I, you know, I have the nap.
• 28:01
  You know, it's not easy.
• 28:02
  When you think about it's not easy.
• 28:03
  Yeah.
• 28:05
  It's not easy at all.
• 28:06
  So I cut the chicken before.
• 28:09
  Right now, the chicken all cut for a long time.
• 28:12
  Long, long time ago, I didn't cut the chicken.
• 28:14
  We have to buy the chicken and take off the skin.
• 28:18
  Right.
• 28:19
  Miles is very good boy.
• 28:20
  He always help me.
• 28:21
  So funny, he said, Mom, why don't school have the talent show?
• 28:25
  They don't have to rip off the skin to show.
• 28:28
  Very nice.
• 28:29
  And also one time, you know, I'm so tired.
• 28:32
  I have to cut the chicken.
• 28:33
  I want, I fall asleep.
• 28:35
  So I sit on my couch.
• 28:36
  I didn't wash my hand.
• 28:37
  You know how come?
• 28:38
  I put my hand up.
• 28:39
  So I keep in mind, I can only have five minute nap.
• 28:43
  That's the truth.
• 28:44
  I said, because I wash my hand, come on the boat.
• 28:47
  Then I fall, then I can sleep, right?
• 28:49
  Five minute.
• 28:49
  I said, talk to myself.
• 28:50
  Five minute on the couch.
• 28:52
  Put my hand up and remember.
• 28:54
  And then sometimes in the middle of the light, so funny too.
• 28:58
  I still got, oh, chicken burger, chicken burger.
• 29:03
  So that means when you care, I care about my business, I care about my customer, the care is very important.
• 29:11
  Yeah.
• 29:11
  I think Amy, you are the perfect example of customer 101.
• 29:16
  Any business could learn from you in terms of how to treat and care for their customers.
• 29:20
  You are unbelievable.
• 29:21
  You are.
• 29:22
  I think it's a bit of a lost art today.
• 29:24
  And Amy, you do a great job.
• 29:26
  So that actually segments really well into our last question, Amy.
• 29:30
  What's the best piece of advice you've been given, either personally or professionally, that you carry with you to this day?
• 29:36
  You know what?
• 29:37
  I really want to tell, hard working is very important and caring and generous.
• 29:43
  But like me, I'm second language is English.
• 29:48
  So sometimes I stop it by my second language.
• 29:51
  I don't can not express myself, but don't worry.
• 29:54
  Just go ahead.
• 29:55
  People can feel it.
• 29:56
  People can understand.
• 29:58
  Yeah.
• 29:58
  You know, even my Chinese, my kid don't understand.
• 30:02
  I talk to my kid, Chinese, tell Kinman in Chinese, they don't understand.
• 30:06
  They don't do whatever I want them to do.
• 30:09
  Even Chinese, not even English.
• 30:11
  So second language is not a barrier.
• 30:14
  Right.
• 30:14
  Second language, just work hard and always caring, generous and always see the people, the good point.
• 30:23
  Yeah.
• 30:23
  The highlight people.
• 30:25
  Yeah.
• 30:25
  Highlight people, give people compliment.
• 30:27
  Yeah.
• 30:28
  So that is how I, you know.
• 30:31
  Well, Amy, I don't think there could be better advice.
• 30:35
  No.
• 30:35
  And this podcast has been, for me, a true honor to get to sit across from you and to hear your story.
• 30:43
  And just meeting you, you are absolutely fantastic.
• 30:47
  Yeah, you are.
• 30:47
  And Amy, you're very special to me and to my family.
• 30:51
  And so if you're listening to us today and you live in Edmonton or the area, you've never been to The Lingnan.
• 30:56
  They are located at?
• 30:59
  105, 82, 104 Street, just the back of the Roger Place.
• 31:04
  That's right.
• 31:04
  And so, and you can go to www.lingnan.com.
• 31:10
  Yes.
• 31:10
  And they're there.
• 31:11
  And I would advise, make a reservation.
• 31:14
  Make a reservation.
• 31:15
  I agree.
• 31:15
  Because it's always busy and you will have some of the best Chinese food you have ever had.
• 31:19
  So Amy, thank you so much.
• 31:21
  This has been such an honor.
• 31:23
  We really appreciate it.
• 31:24
  Thank you very much.
• 31:25
  If people hear this podcast, and then really want to meet me, because right now, I'm in the kitchen now, sometime come out.
• 31:32
  So please let me know, because your support will cheer me up.
• 31:37
  Right.
• 31:37
  So maybe come and say, hey, I heard Amy's podcast.
• 31:40
  I'd like to meet her.
• 31:41
  Yeah, and the waiter will come back and maybe get you.
• 31:43
  And if you have a free moment, you'll come on out.
• 31:45
  And listen, tell everybody about The Lingnan.
• 31:48
  So thank you everybody for listening.
• 31:50
  We really appreciate it.
• 31:52
  And hey, we'll see you next week.
• 31:54
  Thanks everyone.
• 31:55
  See you next week.
• 31:56
  Wherever you get your podcasts, or you can go to www.Achesonbusiness.com and download us.
• 32:03
  Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell your business associates, tell your enemies.
• 32:06
  If you don't have any friends, make a friend to tell them about the podcast.
• 32:09
  And thanks everybody.
• 32:10
  We'll see you next week.
• 32:11
  Thanks everyone.