Eating for Charity at Hong Kong’s Fanciest Spots

"Eating for Charity at Hong Kong’s Fanciest Spots | AboutHK.Com - more information about HK"

Joyce Hor-Chung Lau Through August, 57 restaurants across Asia are taking part in a project jointly organized by the United Nation’s World Food Program and the Miele Guide: Fifteen percent of revenue from specific set meals and dishes will go toward food aid for children in East Timor. The initiative aims to raise $200,000, which the organization says is enough to feed 4,000 children for a year. Hong Kong has the largest number of eateries involved (13); other locations include Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, China, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. (A full list can be found at the Meile Guide’s Web site.) The Hong Kong list includes restaurants that warrant visits anyway — just be sure to order the promotion’s particular dishes if you want the money to go to charity. One is Yung Kee, the historic Cantonese eatery that grew out of a roast goose shop; it was awarded a Michelin star last December. Yung Kee is a big, noisy family restaurant, which puts it at the opposite end of the spectrum from Bo Innovation, another participant. Bo, nicknamed the “Hong Kong El Bulli” for its wildly modern take on Asian food, was awarded two Michelin stars; it may be the only real haute cuisine Chinese restaurant in town. (It has since moved to the Wanchai district, where it seats 28 inside, 28 outside in its al fresco dining area, and a dozen for “private dining.” Book early.) International brand names involved include the Hong Kong branch of Nobu and Pierre, the Hong Kong outlet of Pierre Gagnaire’s culinary empire. The project does bring up a dilemma. Let’s say you dine at Grissini, a pricey Italian restaurant participating in the promotion. You’ll find bottles on the wine list that cost more than a Timorese villager might see all year. So the question becomes: do these sorts of projects serve a greater good, or are they simply public relations for high-end restaurants? Comments Please login to post comments or replies.