Owner, Entrepreneur Alan Yau O.B.E.

Born in Hong Kong in 1962. Born into a family from the Hakka ethnic group, Alan Yau grew up in the town of Sha Tau Kok, in Hong's Kong's New Territories. - came to the UK when he was 12 to join his parents in Kings Lynn, East Anglia, where his father ran the kitchens of a local chop suey house. Education : After taking his A levels, Yau helped his father open a Chinese takeaway, opening a second while still at college. He then enrolled for franchisee training with McDonald’s in Hong Kong and worked for KFC in London to feed his fascination with food service systems. He began a degree in Politics and Philosophy at London Metropolitan University in 1983 Career :.In 1992, Yau opened the first Wagamama noodle bar in central London. He sold the business in 1997 for £60 million. After developing the Satsuma noodle bar for the Royal China Group, Yau launched his first Busaba Eathai in Wardour Street in 1999. This was followed in 2001 by the chic Michelin rated Hakkasan Chinese restaurant in Hanway Place and, in early 2004, the Yauatcha dim sum restaurant and tea house in Broadwick Street. Hakkasan and Yauatcha both won Michelin stars in 2003 and 2005 respectively. He has numerous other projects planned including the opening of a New York restaurant. Cha Cha No Hana - a Japanese restaurant - is the new venture by Alan Yau in St. James's. Awards : Yau was awarded the OBE in the 2006 for services to the restaurant industry.