The Swiss Inn, Gloucester Rd / The Mandarin

Submitted by jojoho on

Hello!

I am trying to help my Dad find any information about the German owner of this restaurant which opened in maybe 1972. My Dad is Chinese and worked there when he was around 21 yrs old. He said he learned extensive culinary skills from the owner and has fond memories working there. My Dad emigrated from HK to the UK the following year and sadly lost touch.

I found a photo of the matchbox of the restaurant on this website and showed him! He was so excited to see it.

Prior to this, my Dad also worked as an apprentice chef at the Mandarin Hotel when he was 18yrs old for 2 years - I'm also trying to see if I can find any old contacts there. He said it was such a privilege working there and has some amazing memories. My Dad came from a very poor family and was always thankful for being given the opportunity to work at The Mandarin. 

Thank you,

Jo

Thank you so much for posting and searching your resources!

My Dad's name is Ming Ho-they used to call him 'Ming jai' and then at the Swiss Inn, his nickname was Abel. Still uses that English name now.


That article is accurate- my Dad said the Swiss Inn owners were Mr Sellinger and his wife. There was also another French chef who came from the Hilton Hong Kong. 


 

Back in the 70s, I used to frequent the Swiss Inn (Gloucester Road) and Luigis Garden (Hennessy Road) for lunch. I think the former establishment had the red and white checkered tablecloths ? 

If we try some searches on the internet, there appear very few mentions, if any, about the Swiss Inn even on Chinese webpages or facebook
(nothing found about 瑞士餐廳 in the 70s either, so far).

One legal notice is found on old newspaper though. Its address was 56-57 Gluocester Road, G/F & Mezz. Same street no. moddsey recorded with the matchbox photo.
The notice informed of the business transfer to a company named 'Vannisan', and the restaurant will go on to operate with the same name.

So the restaurant may well continue under this name for few more years after April 1977 then.
Not sure if these bits and pieces may add up to a bigger piece of the jigsaw.


source : Wah Kiu Yat Po, 1977-4-22 p.10 (link, pls input page no. '10', press [enter] to get there)
 

I think the address of 56 Gloucester road is probably correct. I recall having lunch there with fellow workers in 1969/70. If my memory serves me correctly we always ate in the mezzanine floor part of the  restaurant

Thank you for you replies! Yes, moddsey, my Dad confirmed the table cloths were red and white check.  BHUI25044, I will also ask my Dad about the mezzanine floor too.

It is amazing learning all this history about my Dad! 

I will look into the link you sent @hkspace_wl.


Thank you!