Wanchai Ferry is an American brand of Chinese food dinner kits owned by General Mills.[1] The company's roots began in 1972 when Chong Kin-wo[2] – often known as Madame Chong – began selling dumplings, a business that led to her "dumpling queen" nickname and the 1985 establishment of the Wanchai Ferry Peking Dumpling Company.[1] [3] [4] In 1997, Pillsbury Company entered a joint venture with Wanchai Ferry which led the brand to become part of General Mills when Pillsbury was acquired in 2001.[1] [2]
The brand is still largely a frozen dumpling company in China[1] and a leader in its market.[5] The dinner kits are intended for the American and European markets.[1] In her later years, Madame Chong served as a consultant to General Mills involved in the final development stages and approving the flavors.[1] The kits were introduced to France in Spring of 2007 and to the United States of America in Summer 2007.[1] [2] In 2009, the company introduced frozen dinners.[2]
Chong Kin-wo died on February 12, 2019, at the age of 75.[6]