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Lucy Wing, owner of Jade Grill in Superior, AZ
Food, we need it, we want it and we crave it. Superior is home to many family owned and operated restaurants and over the years there have been more food options for everyone to consider. Seven years ago, Lucy Wing opened the doors to the Jade Grill to give back to the community.
What brought you back to Superior to open a restaurant: Lucy explained that she and her family wanted to give back to the community of Superior because the community supported their parents businesses which allowed them to send all 11 children to college. “We were not able to come back to Superior to use our degrees, so we wanted to give back by opening a restaurant” Lucy returned to Superior after 42 years in New York where she developed her career in culinary arts. She is well known for developing many recipes and for writing the book “Grilling for Dummies” in the Dummies series of books. The Jade Grill is a endeavor of the entire Wing family, her brother who is an architect designed the building, her sister who is a dietician helped to develop the menu and recipes along with another sister who is a Doctor. The graphics for the menus and logo were designed by one of her nieces. “It was my idea to open the restaurant, so I am the one who runs the day to day operations” explained Lucy.
What makes the Jade Grill unique: The Jade Grill is an Asian Barbecue restaurant, and this type of food does not exist anywhere in the nation and the restaurant has become a destination restaurant for food lovers across the state and even the nation. The meats in the recipes are marinated and smoked over wood not charcoal outside, that is how real barbecue is done, Lucy explained. This type of cooking is much more healthy than traditional Chinese food which uses a lot of oil to prepare the foods.
The Kitchen at the Jade Grill is designed to allow the foods to be prepared with the freshest ingredients. There isn’t a walk in refrigerator which means that her ingredients must be purchased regularly and not stored for long periods of time which walk in refrigerators allow. The kitchen at the restaurant is larger than the actual dining room which allows for special washing and prep areas for the vegetables and meats to ensure that there is no cross contamination. The foods are fresh and made to order and they do not use MSG in any of the recipes. There are also many foods that can be made for gluten free, vegan and vegetarian dietary needs.
The restaurant is also very eco-friendly, with paper straws and no styrofoam.
Advice to fellow business owners and future business owners: “Be patient with your business, it takes time to get started. Have a bucket full of money and prepare for long days and long nights, especially if you are pursuing a restaurant business.
The Jade Grill is located on US Highway 60 and is open Wednesday through Sunday.
The “In Your Biz” column is sponsored weekly by the Superior Chamber of Commerce in an effort to further promote their business members. To learn more about the Superior Chamber of Commerce you can visit their website www.superiorarizonachamber.org or call them at 520-689-0200. The Chamber meets the third Wednesday of every month at their building 165 Main St. in Superior, Arizona.
Mila Besich is a resident of Superior with two children. She volunteers for many local organizations. She is an experienced fundraiser and event planner for Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition. She covers some of the area town councils and schools.
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