Will's Food Inc: Family is their Business Philosophy

Charles Ouyang and Ann Liu, originally from China, established Will’s Food Inc., named after their son (Will, aerospace engineer turned professional chef), in 2020. Family is clearly key to their business philosophy. 

Charles Ouyang and Ann Liu at "From the Ground Up" conference and trade show in 2023

During the pandemic, with international travel restrictions in place, the family, who have relatives in the Shuswap and the Lower Mainland, made the decision to pivot from owning a big business in China to selling up and moving on to a brand new one in Canada.

Salmon Arm’s size, friendliness, beauty and family connections were key factors in deciding to establish their business here and they set about finding a new home and a new location. Thankfully, they got both the keys to their new house and the keys to their rental space at Zest Commercial Food Hub on the very same day. 

"Restaurants and supermarket shelves were dominated by sweet & sour everything, or watered-down recipes, while the deeper regional flavours that define real Chinese cuisine were largely missing."

Ann standing in front of their Anchor Tenant space at Zest Commercial Food hub

 Will’s Food Inc. produces "Flavor of China" cooking sauces. Chinese food is one of the world’s most popular cuisines and it is as vast and diverse as China’s 34 different regions. The world’s third largest and second most populous country offers a cornucopia of flavours to explore. Will’s Food Inc.’s product line of sauces are vegan and plant-based, free of preservatives, MSG, and trans fats. The business is Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) certified and is developing both domestic, retail and food service markets in addition to export ones. 

From home-style stir-fry, to Singapore fried noodle sauce, Hong Kong BBQ, to Dong’an braised chicken sauce - Chinese cooking is deeply rooted in thousands of years of tradition, complex spice combinations, and elaborate techniques. It isn’t easily mastered and Will’s Food endeavours to help chefs of all kinds to be able to cook authentic Chinese food. Relatively easy access to the global spice and seasoning supply chain, combined with local produce and products, Will's Food Inc. has brought a remarkable array of over 30 sauces and dressings to market out of their facility at Zest Commercial Food Hub.

“Everyone has been so helpful and generous with their knowledge” says Ann...

“From the team at Zest and the local community, to the Ministry of Agriculture and Export Canada. It’s been so nice to have so much support and guidance as we build this business in Salmon Arm.”

Will’s Food Inc. takes a modern food manufacturing approach bringing ancient culinary traditions to a local, national and global audience one delicious meal at a time.

Will's Food Inc's NEW "Mayo & Dressing" line