A Few Words With: Shi Xinzhong of Mr Shi's Dumplings

This year our 2015 Reader Restaurant Awards have four personality-based categories: Best Chef, Best Manager, Restaurant Personality of the Year, and Food Entrepreneur of the Year. During the voting period that runs through March 8, we’re profiling a few of this year’s crop of nominees.

This time around we present Shi Xinzhong, proprietor of Mr Shi's Dumplings, who has been nominated for Restaurant Personality of the Year.

TBJ: Give us a little background about yourself.
I am a common farmer from Hebei. Making dumplings has always been a tradition within my family and my mother taught me how. I love my mother very much!

TBJ: Have you always been this charming?
Yes, because I have always been quite confident. I believe that confidence makes me a charming person.

TBJ: What does Beijing need to become a more personable city?
I think everyone needs to know that love is giving. We need more love ...

TBJ: If you could host anyone, alive or dead, at your restaurant, who would it be and why?
I would host my mother in my restaurant, because without her neither myself nor Mr. Shi's dumpling restaurant would exist.

TBJ: Tell us about one of your favorite places to eat in Beijing (aside from your own)
To be honest, I do not eat outside very often. Sorry that I do not have an answer!

Click here to read previous editions of A Few Words With wherein we profile some of the top players in Beijing's food scene in the run-up to our 2015 Reader Restaurant Awards.

Image: Mr Shi's Dumplings