Chris Tsui, founder and president of Eat Restaurant Partners, will be the keynote speaker at Virginia Commonwealth University’s December commencement.

Tsui, who graduated from VCU in 1991 with a degree in business administration and management, began his career in Richmond’s restaurant industry at Peking, one of the city’s earliest Chinese restaurants, co-founded by his uncle. Starting as a busboy and waiter, he eventually became the restaurant’s general manager after completing his studies.

In 2002, Tsui opened Osaka Sushi & Steak, the first of 12 Richmond-area restaurants now operated by EAT Restaurant Partners. The group includes Beijing on Grove, Fat Dragon, Wild Ginger, Wong Gonzalez, and Boulevard Burger & Brew.

Tsui also is active in the Richmond community, serving on advisory boards for organizations such as Venture Richmond and Richmond Region Tourism.

VCU’s university wide commencement will be held Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.