The scene that stays with me is a bar packed with people, a swarm of twitterers in overdrive, with a mix of titilation and trepidation, after Manchester’s first Twestival. I met twitterers who have kept me company in virtual reality, made me burst into laughter and order Sweet Mandarin takeaways from me.

So what is a restauranteur and cookery school owner like me doing on Twitter. My journey into this scrappy world of 140 characters is thanks to my customers telling me about this MUST TRY social network. I responded “Look, I got Facebook, Myspace, Blog and a real life restaurant with hundreds of clients…what’s so good about Twitter?”

They responded with such passion – “its instantaneous, its addictive and it gives us a chance to figure out how you fit it all in – a restaurant, a cookery school, a book, juggling your family and Lisa – you’re everywhere – HOW?!”. Their arguments roused my curiosity and struck so deeply into the psyche of me that I put aside my common sense (and time) and signed up.  400 followers and 200 tweets later, I’m hooked and I wear my heart on my sleeve. I tell you that I’m firing up a wok, I try to crack a joke (try is the operative word), I’m watching tv, I’m exercising – now I’m not.  Twitter lets you talk about the minutae of life and with my life, it revolves around my clients and food. What fires me up is the “Sweet Tweets” – bookings for tables, orders for takeaways, compliments (I love you too) – because I live to cook and serve…..and Twitter has helped me to run my business in the most fun way possible.

(L to R: Lisa, Janet and Helen Tse – “Turning the Chinese on its head”) 

I set up Sweet Mandarin with my two sisters four years ago, achieving a long held dream. We wanted to be slightly different and offered modern Chinese cuisine and exotic cocktails. We have been blessed with a loyal following many of whom have become friends who come to Sweet Mandarin to catch up on life, hang out and eat good, fresh, healthy Chinese food – and also learn how to make it via our cookery school. Being part of the Manchester Twitterati is a natural extension of our lives - and relationships. I’ve learnt that there are many things which try to divide us, but food is that one uniting factor – and through our snippets of food – I share the highs and lows with our community in Manchester. Twitter helps us to understand each other better and just say what we have to say (in 140 characters).  Follow us @sweetmandarin and if I can help, I will.

Community Events

Saturday 28 February 10am – Sweet Mandarin Cookery School via Twitter.

To attend in person its 75 pounds per person (includes hands on cooking, recipe sheets and lots of eating) - email Lisa sweetmandarin@gmail.com

To attend via Twitter its free – follow us @sweetmandarin – We will give you step by step instructions and answer your cooking questions as we cook n tweet. If only Twitter had the sense of smell! coz u r missing out on some wonderful aromas!

Press Release for Media 

Attached is our press release: First UK Chinese Restaurant to use Twitter – please help us spread the word and make our community bigger and better. “There are many things which divide us, but food unites us. Follow us (@sweetmandarin) and lets make Manchester Great.” 

Press Release  (Click to download) 

Best wishes and Sweet dishes

 Lisa Tse

www.sweetmandarin

@sweetmandarin (Twitter)

Email: sweetmandarin@gmail.com