Maxim's founder James Tak Wu died at 98

James Tak Wu, the founder of Maxim's Caterers which is one of Hong Kong's biggest catering chains, died last month at the age of 98. 

The man died peacefully at the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital on October 29. His funeral was held last Thursday, an obituary published in newspapers today stated. He was survived by two sons and four daughters. 

Born in America and educated in Guangdong, Wu graduated from Lingnan University in Guangzhou in 1947. He founded Maxim's in 1956 with his brother Wu Shun-tak and remained the honorary chairman of the group until his death.

The first Maxim’s restaurant was opened at Crawford House in Central and marketed as a high-end western restaurant with live bands. 

In the 1980s, the catering group established Beijing Air Catering Company Ltd, which was the first Sino-Foreign joint venture in China. 

Currently, Maxim’s Group has over 1,700 outlets in Hong Kong and Macau regions, Mainland China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. 

It also owns over 60 catering brands comprising Chinese, Asian and European restaurants, fast-food outlets, bakery, coffee shops, and licensed brands such as The Cheesecake Factory, Starbucks Coffee and Genki Sushi. 

During last year’s anti-extradition bill movement, Wu’s eldest daughter Annie Wu Suk-ching said that Hong Kong should give up on two "lost" generations of youngsters.

She also criticized protesters at an United Nations meeting, saying that their actions violated the basic human rights of expression, safety and livelihood of other citizens.

Restaurants under the group soon became targets for vandalism as windows were smashed and walls were written with graffiti. 

The catering conglomerate later released a statement, stating that Wu did not work in any position for the company and was not involved in the management. 
Chairman and managing director of Maxim’s Group Michael Wu Wai-kuo said Dr Wu’s “bold vision, successful leadership and passion for the food business were instrumental in building one milestone after another for the group.”

“For his great contribution, exemplary character and kindness, Dr. Wu will be sadly missed by me, my family and my fellow colleagues at Maxim’s Group,” Wu added.

The late Wu was awarded with a Silver Bauhinia Star and a Gold Bauhinia Star in 2001 and 2009 respectively. 

The catering mogul held honorary doctorates from the Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou and Springfield College in Massachusetts and was named an “Honorary Citizen of Guangzhou” by the Guangzhou Government in 2003.

Wu contributed to nurturing management talents in Southern China. He was the first chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Lingnan College of Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou. 

When Wu graduated from Lingnan University in Guangzhou, it was a private university. Lingnan College was reestablished in 1988 within Sun Yat-sen University as one of the top schools of economics and management on the mainland. 

The college praised the late Wu as a dedicated supporter of his alma mater and society.