Sinley celebrates 50 years in business.

The Chan Family

(Message from The Chan Family)

Established in 1975 , fifty years ago this year, 2025 . My Mom & Dad and family brought Chinese food to Mid Ulster, they were also first Chinese Restaurant in Cookstown and eventually establishing on the Fairhill and years later moving to Church Street Trading under Sinley in Cookstown, And in doing so set a standard for us to maintain.

To keep on tradition, our recipes are over 50 years plus old, and as ingredients become more available, we’ll be able to bring more traditional dishes . An maintain the standard and going with the times we’ve introduced healthy options calories counted by dietitians and Gluten Free menu , as allergies have become forefront of any catering business.

Over the years we’ve gotten to know lots of families from working in restaurants and going to school locally . We had families where we’ve had their parents and children and grandchildren worked for us over the years. If you have any lovely stories about working for Sinley or Tai Hei, please feel free to share them with us.

A wee quick history on how my Mom & Dad arrived in sunny N.Ireland. They were a young married couple with a very young, growing family. My Dad got an offer in 1961 to join the merchant navy , which sailed all around the world, delivering goods and cargo. But the sad side of the job was my Dad and mom separated through work as dad was sailing around the world. My Mom had to bring up a young family. As my dad, after a few years, realised this wasn’t ideal. A few of his friends heard that and planned to leave the shipping company and work in England. That pay was better and better chance have family back together as one unit sounded better. My father worked hard and saved money to bring my mom and family over .In the process, Dad and his friends worked up through England and got a chance to open a restaurant in Northern Ireland . eventually, each managed a restaurant in Larne , Antrim, L/Derry , Omagh ,so in 1969, mom and kids arrived in N.Ireland after being apart for nearly 8 years. Only seeing each other is the ship’s dock in harbour back in Hong Kong. Near the end of 1974 , my parents seemed to a building in Fairhill ( Fairhill Pizzeria building) in Cookstown. It made plans to open 50 years later. We’re celebrating 50 years in business in Cookstown

The moral of the story is my Mom & Dad has lived in Cookstown more than he has lived in Hong Kong so he’s a like a local lad, my mum has adopted one thing she is the Boss.

We would like to take the opportunity to thank Cookstown for making Our Mom & Dad and family feel very at home in our beautiful town and community. Thank you for your custom and support over these many years. We are now cooking for second - and third generation families. And massive appreciation to all the team who have worked with us over these years. Through the troubles and recession, thank you and current team Sinley more recently through COVID and challenging economic times, being and Award winning team and the passing of my Dad who took a step of faith and introduced Chinese food to Mid Ulster.

Big thank you from the Chan family ❤️