The most creative giveaway so far: Free Chinese dinner!

Submitted by Coupon Maven on Sat, 07/24/2010 - 11:01pm

NOTE: CONTEST HAS ENDED! Our winners are Shopaholic4206, Pepsi4Power and Ynotpat! Congratulations and thanks to everyone who entered!

I'm sure it's no secret to any of my readers that my schedule's pretty hectic. Between teaching several coupon workshops a week, writing my syndicated newspaper column, filming my "Sixty Second Savings" video series, blogging Deals of the Week, being a (mostly) stay-at-home mom with my young children, and the myriad of other activities that fill my life, my husband and I don't always get much time to have a "date night." So when I was invited to have a free dinner for two downtown at one of my favorite Chicago restaurants, I jumped at the chance!

My readers know that I love giving products away on my blog -- whether it's groceries, coupons or other contests, it's fun to share giveaways with an audience who, like me, loves free things. Over the past few months I've posted some fun contests for my readers, and a few weeks ago I received an invitation to attend an appreciation dinner at Ben Pao, which has amazing Chinese food and is one of my favorite dining destinations downtown. General Mills and MyBlogSpark sponsored the event as a thank-you to their bloggers who've posted giveaways of General Mills products. Not only was the dinner free to attend, but attendees would also receive a $50 MasterCard gift card to cover gas and parking in the city, providing a truly "free" night out. (How long do you think it took me to RSVP? Do I need to mention again how much I love Ben Pao's food? "Yes!")

On Thursday night, my husband and I arrived at Ben Pao and saw that the entire restaurant had been closed for the event. We weren't really sure what to expect, but we checked in at the counter and were seated. The server informed us it was a prix fixe menu, where soup, appetizers and desserts would be the same for everyone, but we could choose one of eight entrees. I chose an orange chicken platter, he chose shrimp lo mein, and we enjoyed a fabulous meal as course after course was served. (I can't honestly remember the last time just the two of us went out without the kids..!)

We've eaten at Ben Pao many times before, and as always, the food was amazing. We had hot and sour soup, a platter of four different appetizers that included potstickers, chicken wraps, various egg rolls and crab rangoon, our shrimp and chicken entrees, which were loaded with crisp vegetables, and two desserts (lemon-ginger cheesecakes and chocolate-filled spring rolls - delicious!) We were absolutely stuffed. Throughout the meal, a camera crew roamed the restaurant asking many of us about our blogs and how we were enjoying the meal -- I said the food was excellent, as it always is. It was almost hard to believe there was no "catch" to the night.

Or was there?

At the very end of the meal, our server brought each of us fortune cookies, and the cameraman returned to the table to ask if he could film us opening the cookies. We said sure, why not?

And this is what we saw.

We immediately looked at each other and said "No way!" Truly, we were shocked. We would never have guessed that we had been eating frozen Chinese food available at the grocery store! The soup, appetizer platter and desserts were actually Ben Pao's own restaurant food, but the entrees were bagged, frozen meals from Wanchai Ferry.

Now, admittedly, the last thing you're expecting when you dine out at a very nice restaurant was a twist like this, but it was actually quite fun. Funnier yet, prior to the fortune-cookie reveal, we hadn't been able to finish the family-size platters of food we'd been served, so our server had asked if we'd like take-out containers for it We said absolutely, we'd take it home for later -- and then we cracked up that we'd actually had the restaurant package up a previously-frozen meal? I jokingly apologized to my husband for unknowingly taking him out on our big date night for... frozen food.

Of course, instead of documenting a bloggers' appreciation dinner, what the camera crew was actually filming was a commercial for Wanchai Ferry. Think, "We've secretly taken over this fine Chicago dining destination and served everyone frozen meals from the supermarket. Let's see if they notice..."

So yours truly may just end up in a commercial too!

UPDATE October 2010 - The commercial:

(My husband and I are at the 0:22 mark.)

At the end of the night, we received little take-out containers. Inside? Gift certificates to Ben Pao (for a "real" restaurant meal for a future trip for us, ha ha!) and coupons for FREE Wanchai Ferry frozen entrees for my readers!

Now, if you've read this far along, and you'd like to try one of these Wanchai Ferry frozen meals for yourself, all you have to do is respond to this post in the Comments! This giveaway begins today, July 25th, and will run for one week. On August 1st, I'll choose THREE winners via random-number generator to win coupons for Wanchai Ferry frozen dinners! (NOTE: CONTEST ENDED AUGUST 1, 2010.)

Legalese: This Wanchai Ferry promotion was sponsored by General Mills and MyBlogSpark. Responding to this post qualified readers to enter the contest. The contest closed at Midnight CST on July 31, 2010. Three winners were be chosen via random-number generator on August 1, 2010 at 11:45am CST. I was provided with dinner for two at Ben Pao in Chicago, a $50 Mastercard gift card to cover travel and parking, two $10 certificates for my future trip to Ben Pao and Wanchai Ferry free frozen entree coupons as part of this promotion. Thank you to everyone who entered!

chinese take-out

my entire family loves

Submitted by sadiegirl on Sun, 10/24/2010 - 3:06pm.

my entire family loves chinese food...even the little ones

Zippity-doo-dah! Zippity-Yay!

Submitted by Pepsi4Power on Wed, 08/04/2010 - 7:39am.

My oh my what a wonderful day!

I can't believe I actually won. Is this the ferry that departs from Milwaukee or the one further up north closer to Door County? I could actually go to Door County for a bit, hop the ferry over to Michigan, then go to Mackinaw Island.

Toa chie, Jill!

This was cute!

Submitted by MamaHan on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 10:14pm.

I'm looking forward to seeing the commercial on TV. Sounds like you had a fun night out. : )

Ben Pao Date Night Surprise!

Submitted by wildheart6 on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 3:34pm.

How amazing!! I am glad that you enjoyed your evening out and you get to do it again!! This time without the switcheroo. I admit I have been contemplating trying a Wanchai Ferry meal and with your recommendation how can I go wrong?

Wanchai Ferry Frozen Dinners

Submitted by gel123 on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 8:44am.

I would love to try one of these meals that tastes like freshly made Chinese food. I love Sesame Chicken!

Wow!

Submitted by susanzan on Thu, 07/29/2010 - 4:37pm.

Always wondered how they filmed those commercials :)

hillarious!

Submitted by Bamasam02 on Wed, 07/28/2010 - 8:40am.

That's too funny, but am glad it was a great date night regardless! Very clever of Wanchai Ferry, now I'm keen to try it!

Great Story

Submitted by Tallgal6 on Wed, 07/28/2010 - 7:20am.

I always wondered if those commercials were real. I am surprised they didn't make you sign something before the dinner saying you promised not to sue for deceit or something like that with all the crazy lawsuits that people come up with these days!

I always wondered

Submitted by shlee on Wed, 07/28/2010 - 6:14am.

if those frozen dinners were any good. Their coupons are always around and yet no one has ever really mentioned buying the product! I would love to try them. Also, just out of curiosity, how did the other guests react when they found out they were eating a frozen dinner? As always, you seemed very gracious and looked at the whole ordeal as a positive. Good for you :)

Everyone was surprised

Submitted by Coupon Maven on Wed, 07/28/2010 - 7:20am.

There were probably 50 other couples in the restaurant and everyone was surprised, or at least appeared to be. If you Google "ben pao wanchai ferry" you can find some of the other bloggers' reactions to the night -- only one account I've read said they thought something was up because they thought their meal had more vegetables than meat or shrimp, but I didn't find our meals to be disproportionate or anything like that.

Understand too that I'm sure, a huge part of it is perception. After soup and four appetizers, you're already having a marvelous time waiting for the main course -- then, two delicious desserts later, the fortune cookie reveal comes -- it was a surprise, for sure.

Can vouch for the Sweet and Sour Chicken

Submitted by apartain777 on Tue, 07/27/2010 - 6:08pm.

We've had the S&S chicken twice, and it is absolutely delicious, and so quick and easy to fix. I have some coupons for the Wanchai Ferry meals, and I've been waiting for a good sale...
Wish I could have seen all of your faces when you found out you had a frozen Chinese dinner! But what a good one.

Any one tried them yet???

Submitted by J.R. on Tue, 07/27/2010 - 4:39pm.

I realize it's not quite 3 days, but someone must have printed some coupons, rushed out, and tried these. What's the verdict?

Finally!

Submitted by J.R. on Sun, 10/24/2010 - 7:27am.

Well, we finally tried one of these. Woodman's currently has them on sale for $5.00 which makes them 3.50 after the coupon. I couldn't find a single flavor that all three of us would eat, but found a few that would satisfy 2/3 of the household.

Made one this past week, and I'll have to admit that it was better than I expected. As good as my favorite Chinese restaurant? No. Would I have noticed a switch? I think so. But as a $3.50 dinner for two, not bad. I'll be buying more.

And it seemed to be a reasonable portion for 2 adults. So many entrees just don't really feed the number of people claimed on the package.

I think it is very tasty, but

Submitted by Outlander on Sun, 10/24/2010 - 2:45pm.

I think it is very tasty, but deffinitly only feeds 1. If they double the rice it might feed 2. Or, when serving, add something else, so it's not the only food, or you'll stay hungry.

dinner

Submitted by crazydaisy on Tue, 07/27/2010 - 1:08pm.

sounds great to me!!

Dinner out

Submitted by shopfree on Tue, 07/27/2010 - 12:17pm.

That's such a great way to advertise their frozen food....I would love to win a free dinner.

Chinese Food

Submitted by kronewitterj on Tue, 07/27/2010 - 10:54am.

Wow! How fun! I will be trying those dinners for sure now!

Great story!

Submitted by amjacobs909 on Tue, 07/27/2010 - 10:12am.

Would love to try the frozen entree's!

Awe How special is that...

Submitted by silviavm on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 11:43pm.

I want a date night with my hubby without the kids and without the dog! Two boys and a dog along with two jobs is exhausting! No more time for play! I shall keep my fingers crossed!

WOW! That was a slick one

Submitted by gymnast20051 on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 10:56pm.

WOW! That was a slick one they pulled on you two. Now I would really like to see for myself how good their frozen entrees are. Back before I followed your blog, I would find several coupons for their dishes but never seemed to buy it. Well, at least you two recieved a nice evening out, away from kids and chaos.

Yum!

Submitted by sjpm1031 on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 7:30pm.

My mouth was watering as you described the meal...I'm kind of excited it's something I could get in the grocery store!

Wow!

Submitted by purplegirl111 on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 5:47pm.

OK, if you really had no idea that you were eating frozen food, it must be fabulous! I would love to try it. Thanks for the chance.

Wanchai Ferry Surprise

Submitted by Fly Girl on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 4:12pm.

What a great surprise and fun evening. Hey, in my book...any night out without the kids is a treat, with dinner included..awesome. My Husband and I love Chinese and think it is hard to find a good frozen substitute. Going to look for this product in stores next time. Would be a great date night with a free movie from red box with coupon code. Tuck the little ones in and Chinese for two! AWESOME!

Awesome!

Submitted by chickee on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 3:33pm.

I really enjoyed your Date night story! How COOOOL was that!

Thanks for Sharing,

Chickie

Single Income & Disabled - LOVE Chinese!

Submitted by JLWOLFE23 on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 3:12pm.

Hi Jill!
This is the first time I have actually posted to your blog...but I have learned so much over the past 5 months of following it and attending your classes and reading everyone else's posts.
We currently have one income, and my husband is verging on disability (he has some very difficult mobility issues that have developed over the past year). Your coupon & stacking tips have helped us stick to a tight budget, and we don't feel deprived in the process!
Unfortunately, due to the lack of finances and the restricted mobility that my husband now has, we don't often get to go out for dates. We both LOVE Chinese food, however, and this would give us a wonderful opportunity for a date night - at home!

By the way, your story reminds me of the Pizza Hut commercial when they launched their new pastas! That is too funny...I will be watching for you and your husband on the commericals for Wanchai Ferry!!!

I love Chinese, he doesn't;

Submitted by PatK on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 3:27pm.

so this would be a perfect thing to have in my freezer for those nights when DH is business traveling.

Count me in

Submitted by saver4life on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 2:46pm.

This would be great for my budget!!! Can't go to Panda Express anymore, this is probably the next best thing from the grocery store. Thanks.

Wanchai frozen dinner

Submitted by nancyhazel on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 2:01pm.

My husband and I are retired and are always eager to try something new that is cheap and/or free! This sounds good. We would love to try the Wanchai frozen dinner.

Wanna Wanchai

Submitted by smarcol1 on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 1:20pm.

I would love to try a frozen chinese meal!

Chinese night out

Submitted by Coupon Shan on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 12:54pm.

What fun! :)

I will try it!

Submitted by dkmulder on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 12:53pm.

We love the orange chicken boxed meal kit so I will defintely try the frozen one! What a fun night!

I always wondered...

Submitted by flipflop on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 12:40pm.

I always wondered if those commercials were for real!!! Now, I know. :)

Thanks for the opportunity, Jill!

Wanchai Ferry Frozen Dinner

Submitted by galaxygirl0505 on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 12:36pm.

Wow what a great story! Also a really great idea for a commercial, I look forward to seeing it! I hope I am lucky enough to win this drawing!!

Advertising Verified!

Submitted by shopaholic4206 on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 12:33pm.

There was a commercial like this for Pizza Hut's new pasta line. I wondered if it was a true switcharoo or just actors. At least when I see this commercial I will know that the testimonies are genuine. Just hearing about this makes me want to try Wanchai already! Oh & I love the dress Jill!