Some say they’re actually an American invention, originating from either a Chinese or Japanese restaurant on the West Coast in the early 1900s. The origin of fortune cookies is much debated. “We see it as our mission to spread Chinese culture and philosophy around the world.” “We are a Chinese-American company,” Wong said. But current Wonton Food CEO Norman Wong believes the job carries deep responsibilities in upholding Chinese tradition. Lau says the job was given to him by default, because he spoke the best English when the company was founded. Wonton Foods has a database of thousands of fortunes, gathered from the ones Lau has written over the years, open submissions and the Internet.

This slowdown of fortune writing hasn’t affected production. “I am the most read author in the United States.” “I feel that I will never be able to write the great American novel, but I can write the fortunes,” he says. Due to writer’s block and the company’s expansion, Lau now writes two or three fortunes a month. Lau has been the sole hired fortune writer since the company acquired fortune cookie factories more than 30 years ago.įinding inspiration from all aspects of life, from taking the subway to participating in business meetings, Lau used to write two or three axioms a day.

But he has also become the unofficial CFW, or chief fortune writer. Lau works as the chief financial officer at Wonton Food Company, the largest manufacturer of fortune cookies in the world. It’s a way to end a meal in a Chinese restaurant and be happy when you leave.” “I don’t think fortune cookies are meant to be like a horoscope. “I don’t think I’m a fortuneteller,” Lau says. Whatever your interpretation of that slip of paper, fortune cookie writer Donald Lau only hopes it leaves you happy. Crack open a fortune cookie, and you may find a strange message from the universe or a wise piece of advice.

Fortune cookie writer job application