South Beauty founder eyes global role for elegant restaurants

She is 54, but still makes heads turn with her tall, elegant looks, impeccable dress sense and business acumen.

Though her face has graced the cover of Forbes magazine several times as one of the most visible faces of entrepreneurial success in China, Zhang Lan says her journey is still far from over.

Zhang Lan, chairwoman of South Beauty Group, puts the finishing touch to a dancing lion mask. She says she wants her company to become the "Louis Vuitton" of the global dining market. [Photo/Provided to China Daily]

Zhang, chairwoman of the South Beauty Group, an upscale Chinese dining chain that has tasted success in the domestic market, wants her company to become the "Louis Vuitton" of the global dining market.

"China's catering culture is time-honored and splendid. It offers everything from nutrition to taste. But it has suffered due to lack of promotion and the absence of high-end brands. I want to change the cheap price and bad atmosphere tag that most Westerners have about Chinese food," Zhang said.

Zhang does not feel out of place when she tucks into her favorite local delicacies like boiled tripe at small restaurants in downtown Beijing in an elegant Armani dress.

"I strike a balance between popular and high-end brands in my daily life. This also works for South Beauty Group, which aims to attract customers to a modern place to enjoy high-grade and popular Chinese cuisine," Zhang said.

An art collector, Zhang finds time to squeeze in visits to exhibitions and galleries despite her busy schedule. Her artistic flair is apparent in the modern interpretations of age-old spicy Sichuan cuisine that are tastefully and attractively presented at her restaurants.

"Most people in China don't know how to present food. I am happy that I have given some importance to the appearance of food."

Dramatically presented cuisine, upscale decor, a good dining atmosphere and waiters who can inform customers about the dishes they are serving, all combine to give diners an exquisite and memorable Sichuan dining experience, Zhang said.

Stone-grilled beef, one of the most popular dishes at South Beauty, is a classic example of the creative elegance visible in most of its outlets. The dish comprises moist slices of beef cooked on the table in hot oil over stones with a fiery chili and garlic sauce. Stir-fried shrimp are arranged on a plate around a goldfish bowl filled with live fish.

"Buoyed by the booming domestic high-end catering market, South Beauty Group is looking to be a major luxury brand in the global catering industry. It is not an easy task considering that there are different cultures and eating habits. But my past experience has taught me that opportunities often come along with challenges," Zhang said.