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Enoch Yiu

MICHAEL TSUI FUK-SUN is a dentist, a barrister, and co-owner of Hong Kong's Cova - famous for its quality chocolate, coffee, hampers and restaurants.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, he won a government scholarship to Sydney University's Faculty of Dentistry in 1969, returning home in 1974 to join the government as a dental officer.

In 1992, he made history as Hong Kong's first dentist to become a full-time barrister. A year later, a trip to Milan with his brother resulted in the Italian Cova brand being brought to Hong Kong.

The Informer talked to him about his diverse pursuits.

Q: You started as a dentist but then became a barrister, why?

A: During my 15 years as a dentist, I was involved in public duties and met many brilliant lawyers who inspired me about the importance of the law in business and society.

I began a part-time programme with the University of London in 1988 and proceeded all the way to the Bar. Being a mature student helped a lot, both in studying and practising law.

Q: Which is better, being a dentist or a barrister?

A: Dentist, definitely. Your patients will always thanks you after being treated, but people seldom thank their lawyers for winning cases for them. When you lose, you receive the blame and harsh words. It is also more stressful and time-consuming to be a barrister.

This is why I have not been in active practice as a barrister since last year. But the legal knowledge helps me in my other business and in public services.

Q: Why did you bring Cova to Hong Kong?

A: In 1993, when my brother David Tsui Fuk-chuen and I took a trip to Europe, our wives did the usual shopping spree in Milan while we had a cup of coffee in the beautiful setting in Cova. We were impressed by the deluxe setting and good food there which could only be found in hotels in Hong Kong. We considered it would be opportune to bring this kind of fine dining and quality chocolate and pastries  to Hong Kong.

When we returned to Hong Kong, we wrote to the owner and after some negotiations, we secured a licensing agreement to operate the brand in Asia on the condition that we followed the exact Italian style. With two family friends, Mr Andrew Ho Chak-che and Mr Peter Chan Tit-sang, we started the business.

The Italian Cova has been owned by the same family for more than 150 years. It is now managed by a gentleman and his two daughters who come to Hong Kong a few times every year to make sure the Hong Kong operations are consistent with the Milan style. It is like a family reunion and we take them to Lei Yue Mun for seafood dinners.

Q: Any plans to expand the Cova brand into China?

A: We have explored Shanghai and Beijing where they are prime consumer centres. But we will only start business there when we are certain that our high standards are not going to be compromised.

Q: Is Sars affecting your business?

A: Like any other business in Hong Kong, our  sales have been affected, particularly the three restaurants. But the seven outlets which offer take-away coffee and sandwiches  are less affected.

Q: As chairman of the complaint panel of The Insurance Claims Complaints Bureau (ICCB), do you consider the outbreak will lead to disputes between insurers and policyholders?

A: Claims relating to Sars will primarily involve medical policies. The ICCB has yet to receive any complaint. Time will tell whether there are specific issues that Sars will bring.

Q: Has Sars affected your personal life?

A: It has led me to cancel several business trips and stay at home more. Social gatherings have also been reduced. This allows me to have more time with my wife and two daughters who have also been staying at home.  It has been good to take a break from a hectic life in Hong Kong.

Q: What were your best and worst decisions in life?

A: I consider going to study in Australia and later taking the legal studies as the best decisions because they widened my perspectives. I did some China trading which was not  successful.

Q: What do you want to do next?

A: More community work. I am committed to quite a few community services in Hong Kong and I would like to continue to play an active role. Since I got a government scholarship to study overseas when I was young, I want to make contributions to society.

I also hold the same view as the Chinese government, which believes mainland western provinces will develop rapidly. As a result, I am exploring business opportunities in Sichuan where I am a member of the People's Political Committee.

Q: What tips do you give to chocolate lovers who want to protect their teeth?

A: The answer is simple - keep up your oral hygiene and you can consume as much chocolate as you wish.



Dentistry and law mixed with quality chocolate