President's Message

President's Message August.2023

Dear Members,

 

I am truly humble to be re-elected again as President 2023/2024 and to address you all with my message.

 

As we move forward with the pandemic behind us, suggestions generated during the past year and at AGM, we are working to accomplish our goals. Ideas, feedback, are vital for our Association moving forward. I encourage you to stay engaged, attend our upcoming events, and contribute your expertise to enrich our culinary community.

 

Looking ahead as chefs, we must continually strive to enhance our skills, broaden our knowledge, and stay updated with the latest industry trends. Let us seize every opportunity for professional development, whether through workshops, seminars, or international collaborations. With improvements, we can bring fresh ideas and techniques back to Hong Kong, further enriching our culinary landscape.

 

I encourage each member to actively engage in community outreach initiatives. As culinary ambassadors, we can make a positive impact beyond the kitchen. Let us collaborate with local schools, charitable organizations, and other associations to promote healthy eating habits, sustainable practices, and culinary education. Together, we can inspire the next generation of chefs and foster a culture of culinary excellence.

 

Furthermore, I would like to acknowledge our sponsors, partners, and supporters for their continuous support and commitment to our association. Your generosity and belief in our mission enable us to organize meaningful events, provide educational opportunities, and nurture the growth of aspiring chefs.

 

Lastly, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the executive committee, committee members, newly elected members and volunteers who have dedicated their time and efforts to the Association. Your passion and commitment are instrumental in driving our organization forward. I encourage all members to actively participate in our activities, share your expertise, and contribute to the sustainable development of the Hong Kong Chefs Association and the industry,

 

In conclusion, let us take the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead with unwavering determination and a passion for culinary excellence. Together, we can overcome any obstacle and continue to bring Hong Kong's culinary scene to new heights.

 

Thank you once again for your continuous support, and I wish you all a successful and fulfilling year ahead

 

Culinary Regards

Daniel Menezes

President 2023/2024

Hong Kong Chefs Association

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President's Message November.2021

 

Dear Members, Partners and Friends,

I am truly humble and honored to serve as President of the Hong Kong Chefs Association 2021/2022 and a big thank you to each and every one for you for your continuous support 

 

The past two years has been tough for the F & B industry and the general economy. After the societal unrest, we have been struggling with the collateral damage from COVID-19, the tightening social distancing measures have taken a toll on the industry. Now with signs of improvement, we can slowly and surely rebuild this industry.

 

During the recent Annual General Meeting, a new Executive Committee 2021/2022 was elected with addition of new members from the professional chefs sector.  We were grateful to be able to have a simple dinner with our members and partners to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Chef Association. 

All of us would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Francis for his long services with the Association, his contribution over the past many years from the setting up of the Young Chefs Club, to his recent presidency. We wish his family and him well in his future endeavors.

 

The Committee pledges to serving and representing our profession - locally, regionally, and globally to the best of our ability. We have a fair bit to catch up with our previous year plans and we will work on it soon to reset and restart. We welcome your ideas and suggestions on how we can do better. You are always welcome to contact me or our Committee.  

 

Stay Safe and Healthy!

Kind regards,

 

Daniel Menezes

 

President

Hong Kong Chefs Association

 

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President's Message December.2020

Dear Members and Friends,

 

Seasons’ greetings!  This year has been like no other. It may seem hard to celebrate, but perhaps we can appreciate some good that has come out of 2020.   This has been a year where we all became more proficient with online tools and social media, where businesses learned to adapt and become more creative to meet the challenges, and perhaps most important of all, we all spent a great deal more time with our families and loved ones than in a very long time.

 

As the saying goes, “hindsight is twenty-twenty”.  As we near the end of 2020, I hope that we can put this past year behind us and look forward to a better, brighter future.  We remain hopeful at the news of COVID-19 vaccines on the way; the recovery from this pandemic cannot come soon enough.  The hospitality industry took a severe beating this past year, not only in Hong Kong, but all around the world.  Our profession, our entire way of life struggles to adapt to the new realities we must face.  Yet, we are not alone. Hong Kong has endured through numerous crises; world war, recessions, civil unrest, and yes, even pandemics. Each time, it was believed things could never get worse, and yet we all pulled through and have grown stronger for it. I trust that we will do so again

As a responsible member of the community, the Hong Kong Chefs Association has refrained from organizing events or gatherings, so that we do not add to the problem.  It has become all too clear what happens in places where people recklessly ignore simple safety measures such as washing hands frequently, wearing face masks, or avoiding large gatherings.  

 

Despite the best efforts of all, Hong Kong has been rocked by the fourth wave of the coronavirus.  It remains uncertain how long this latest wave will last.  As a result, we have decided to postpone our beloved annual Fondue Night; to do otherwise would be inappropriate and irresponsible.  We will arrange another gathering as soon as the situation allows and will keep you informed.  

 

However, all is not doom and gloom.  A number of events are in the works for 2021.  We remain hopeful of the return of HOFEX and the Hong Kong International Culinary Classics in May, and the restart of the Mentorship Program.  

 

In November, the Hong Kong Chefs Association celebrated the success of our Culinary Team in the Chinese Cuisine World Championship, held virtually.  In this world of firsts, our team took eight golds and one silver, winning the best-organized team award.  I know you will join me in extending our deepest respect and appreciation to our team members for their hard work and sacrifice to keep our association’s fires burning brightly both at home and abroad.  

 

In the spirit of this season of giving, I trust you will find time to spend with your families and loved ones.  Keep safe, keep healthy, and have a peaceful and Merry Christmas.  Let’s get ready to turn the page witha renewed forward focus for 2021!

 

Warmest regards,

 

 

 

 

Francis Lo

President, Hong Kong Chefs Association

 

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President's Message April.2020

Dear Members and Friends,

Since many of us last met during the HKCA annual Swiss Fondue Night in January, our world has changed dramatically.  We are now at a critical point in the history of Hong Kong.  Our food industry now faces challenges unlike anything we have ever seen since the earliest days of the Association.  Hundreds of restaurants have been forced to close, and thousands of culinary jobs are at risk.  Locals and visitors alike avoid dining out to maintain social distancing, while restaurants, clubs and hotels struggle to survive and adapt. 

However, Hong Kong has always overcome every challenge and weathered every storm, no matter how seemingly insurmountable.  Through every outbreak, every crisis, no matter how uncertain or dire the situation may seem at the time, the place we call home has always come back stronger and more dynamic. 

In the early days of the pandemic, our HKCA National Culinary Olympic Senior and Junior Teams covered themselves in glory by taking Silver in four different categories in IKA, the International Culinary Olympics in Stuttgart, Germany in February.  Our team was also to represent Hong Kong and all of Asia in the Global Chefs and Hans Bueschkens Young Global Chefs challenges at the WorldChefs Congress in St. Petersburg, Russia in July, but sadly the congress has since been cancelled due to the global pandemic.  It is likely that the competition will be postponed to Spring, 2021.

Annual General Meeting

Traditionally the Hong Kong Chefs Association’s Annual General Meeting and Gala Dinner is held in April each year.  It is an event which brings all of us together as one family to celebrate our successes over the past year, to report on our progress, and plans for the years to come.  However, considering the current COVID-19 pandemic and the escalating number of cases in Hong Kong, out of an abundance of caution we have decided to postpone the HKCA AGM until June of this year.  We do not take this decision lightly as we feel an obligation to ensure that association activities do not place the health and safety of our members and friends at risk.  We will continue to monitor the situation and will decide on if a virtual or actual AGM should be arranged, hopefully before end of June. We will send to our professional members the audited financial report and the Association annual report 30 days in advance of the AGM. Details of arrangement will be communicated in due course.

Membership

Given the unprecedented disruption to our industry, with chefs’ jobs at risk, we are committed to ensuring our members receive every consideration during these challenging times, and so here is what we are offering to our members:

 

 

Status Extension: We want you to be able to continue enjoying your member status that you earned over the years. With that in mind, we will extend all recently- or soon-to-be-expired memberships (from January 2020) until June 2020. For those members who have paid their membership dues from January until now - all professional and young professional membership terms will be extended for six months, while associate and corporate membership in good standing will have their terms extended for three months automatically. We will further review the situation in June.

Membership Type

Membership Status

Status Extension

Professional Member

Young Professional Members

Associate Member

Corporate Members

Expired between Nov 2019 and April 2020

Membership term extended to 30th June 2020

Renewed between Nov 2019 and April 2020

Membership validity extended for six (6) months

Young Chefs Club Members

Membership will remain valid through to end of studies

* Individuals or groups whose membership expired before November 2019 should apply as new member applications.

Member and Community Activities

The pulse of the whole community beats as one to overcome COVID-19 and its devastating impact in Hong Kong and around the globe. As we all watch the daily news of this unprecedented event, we keep thinking what we can do to assist and bolster the industry and community caregivers who are on the frontlines of these challenges. To that end, we are working with partners who offer ingredients support on the possibility of creating joint programs that can aid in the urgent fight of the pandemic and bring positive energy to the community. We welcome your ideas and support to co-crate these programs and will enlist your support in the next communication with our drafted program.

Until the day when we and our loved ones can all venture forth safely, may we all find the strength, wisdom, and courage in one another needed to meet the challenges that we face. 

 

Warmest culinary regards and best wishes,

 

Francis Lo

President, Hong Kong Chefs Association

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President's Message April.2019

HKCA President’s Message 

April, 2019

Dear Members and Friends,

I am deeply honored and incredibly humbled at having been elected to serve as President of the Hong Kong Chefs Association. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to you all for your friendship and support.  

This is an exciting time to be a chef, but not without its challenges. The most immediate challenge to our profession globally is the unprecedented difficulty in recruiting and retaining qualified culinary staff. If we do not come together to face this challenge head-on, our very profession may be at stake.  

During the Annual General Meeting on April 15th, a new executive committee was elected with the idea that a mentorship program for future culinarians could help us better understand the nature of the problem and lead the way in making a difference.  

We remain committed to serving and representing our profession - locally, regionally and globally to the best of our ability. If you have any suggestions or advice on how we can do better, you are always welcome to contact myself or the Committee.  

Culinarily yours,

Francis Lo

President, Hong Kong Chefs Association

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President’s Message – April 2017

President’s Message – April 2017

Dear Members, Partners, and Friends,

 

Last year was my first year to be the president of the Association. It has been a year of learning and hard working. I am blessed to have a passionate and dedicated Committee to work side by side with me, serving our members and the culinary industry. Special thanks to our members, sponsors, partners, and friends for joining us at our many activities and as volunteers to serving the community. Please go to our website’s RESOURCE section, the “2016-17 HKCA & HK Team Report” will take you through our busy and exciting 12 months.

過去一年初任香港廚師協會主席,戰戰兢兢, 我懷着謙卑,學習的心,努力耕耘,我非常慶幸有一班專業、熱心嘅委員會團隊,各施所長,一粧一件和我一起服務每一位會員。我也感謝每一位會員、贊助商、義工朋友和合作伙伴在過去一年,與我們並肩作戰,服務社會。請到我們網站的資源中心參閱「2016-17年度總結簡報」與你重温過去精采的一年

On April 11, during our Annual General Meeting, a new Executive Committee is elected, with additional members to focus on enhancing our membership services and communications. We have drafted an initial plan for 2017/18, please come and visit the HKCA website, you will find the ”2017-18 HKCA Committee Plan” at the RESOURCES section. We are here to ask for your valuable input, to help us to refine the plan, to develop the Association and to serve the Hong Kong community. 

在4月11日的會員周年大會中,新一屆的委員會順利誕生。我們加添了新的委員展望專注增進會員服務及強化溝通。我們誠意邀請您到我們網站的資源中心參閱「2017-18年度工作計劃」,給我們寶貴的建議,細化工作計劃,共同發展協會,建設香港。

HKCA is a family for chefs - whether you are an apprentice, a chef in a local "cha chaan tien", a Chinese, Western, Japanese, Philippines or Indian cuisine chef – we invite you to join our Association, together we strive to excel the chef profession through sharing, learning and community services.

香港廚師協會是廚師的大家庭,今日那怕你只是一個廚房學徒,又或是在小店茶餐廳的廚師,無論你是中餐、西餐、日本菜、菲律賓菜或是印度菜的廚師,我們都歡迎你的加入成為會員,和我們一起為廚師及行業努力、服務社會,一起學習,一起成長。

On behalf of the Committee, we thank you for your trust and empowerment. 

謹代表各委員會成員感謝您的信任和授權!

 

At your service,

 

Eddy Leung, President

 

 

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President's Message

Dear Members, Partners and Friends,

 

I am excited to be the President of this proud Association. Me and the Committee endeavor to serve our members, the chefs profession, the Hong Kong Culinary industry and the WorldChefs community the best we can.

If you have any suggestion on how we can best serve your needs, do not hesitate to contact me and the Committee.

2016/17 is a celebration of our 25th Anniversary, we will make this the Year of the Chefs, and are in the process of planning a serious of activities to activate the profession and for the betterment of the Hong Kong community. Again, we welcome your suggestions and participation. Stay tuned for more information!

We look forward to a great year of striving for culinary excellence!

 

With regards,

Eddy Leung

President of Hong Kong Chefs Association

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International Chefs Day 2014

Dear Chefs, Friends and Colleagues:

 

The 11th International Chefs Day  2014 was again a success and again we had over 120 participant/volunteers who have given us their support and sponsored  , food items, provided logistics, equipment and utensils and most of all given us your valuable time.

 

As in the past we cooked a buffet for over 800 people + 970 lunch Box who are mentally challenged or socially left behind in our fast growing brave new world.

 

We the Hong Kong Chefs Association are very humbled and happy at the overwhelming respond from our members and friend and the enthusiasm and cooperation, seeing chefs from over 20 different establishments, a variety of suppliers, friends and supporters coming together and work as a team to bring a bit of sunshine on the faces of those people.

 

We did made a difference in their life and even it is only for one day it makes us aware of our surroundings and we are much richer at heart.

 

Once again my sincere thank you to all of you, it is great to be a part of the caring Hong Kong Hospitality Industry

 

Happy International Chefs Day and Happy cooking

Mak Kam Kui

President

Hong Kong Chefs Association

 

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April/May 2014

Dear Members, Colleagues and Friends,

With Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year behind us, we now have time to breathe and look ahead. I trust that most of us were busy during these festive seasons and now it’s back to business as usual. Regardless of the season, the HKCA and our National Team have stayed active:

  • On January 6, we had the Swiss Raclette and Cheese Fondue evening, see coverage in the Feb/March issue of this newsletter. I still want to thank Urs Besmer, his team of chefs, service staff, the Pacific Club Management and Rene Holenweger, the Club’s General Manager, for an unforgettable evening. Many thanks also go to the suppliers for sponsoring the food.
  • We were hosting a Congratulations celebration for our National Team on January 7 at the HITDC in Pokfulam. The event was attended by HKSAR Chief Executive CY Leung, the VTC Board of Directors and HKCA representatives. 2013 was a milestone year for our Team, the HKCA and Hong Kong.
  • Following this celebration, we organized a big day on January 16 saying THANK YOU to our generous friends, supporters, mentors and sponsors who helped our National Team so much on their journey to success. We had a cocktail reception at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel followed by a cocktail buffet and a short ceremony handing out appreciation certificates to our 25 National Team members. They have shown strength, endurance and developed the tools to perform well on foreign soil. They competed in 10 countries and came away with the World Championship at Salon Culinaire in Switzerland. A special thank you goes to Anita and the HK Disneyland team and management for the venue and great food.
  • On March 3, a lively and exciting Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Annual Dinner took place with over 240 members and their guests attending, see photo coverage inside this issue. I’d like to sincerely thank Peter Find and his brigade for their commitment, hard work, passion, cooperation and support. As a non-profit organization, our association often has to rely on the sponsorship of various stakeholders. Without their support, the recent AGM and Annual Dinner could not have taken place.

            We’d also like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to Elkey Kao, Assistant Director of Catering and Events, Karina Wan, Catering Sales Manager, the Ritz Carlton culinary team as well as their banquet team for the excellent support ensuring smooth operations during the event. A very special thanks goes to Chef Suter for arranging the entertainment, i.e. bag pipers to start the dinner and a young piano player from the Hong Kong Young Chefs Club. Altogether, it was a wonderful representation of Hong Kong’s rich and diversified culture!

I personally appreciate Anita’s and Inge’s commitment and professionalism. You did a fantastic job, very well done!

  • It’s also encouraging to see how hard our National Team has been working to get ready for the competitions during FHA in Singapore. They are well prepared. Sum and Calvin did an excellent job rehearsing and bringing our team up to speed. I encourage all HKCA members to give our team their blessing and support. I hope they will return with a few victories.
  • Almost forgot to mention that at the AGM, I was reelected to serve as your President for another year. I want to thank all of you for your trust and support! Most of the Committee Members have remained but we have added a few new ones, see the Committee roster and photo below.

            We expect that this year will be full of activities. We hope we can see you at one of these events! Also, please feel free to give us your suggestions of how we can better serve you.

I wish all of you a good start in the first quarter of 2014 and all the best for the rest of the year!

Mak Kam Kui
President
Hong Kong Chefs Association

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February 2014

Dear Members, Colleagues and Friends,

What a year!  It was full of excitement, success and fun!   November was a super busy and rewarding month for the Hong Kong National Team (see article inside this issue) and the young chefs.

Our twenty-member chef team was split into three in order to attend three different international challenges.

After presenting their culinary creations at the Wine and Dine Festival in Hong Kong, our Young Chef Team embarked on their very first international competition in Seoul, Korea.  They won every single award at that occasion and brought back the Championship.

In mid-November, with just one month’s preparation, our chef team of six joined the Dubai World Hospitality Championship.  They brought back two Silver medals and demonstrated courage and sportsmanship to the world.

Last but not least, our Hong Kong National Team was named World Champion at Salon Culinaire Mondial at Basel, Switzerland.  This is so far the best result Hong Kong has achieved at the international culinary platform.  We are humbled by our achievement and honored at the same time to be able to elevate Hong Kong’s position as the culinary capital of Asia.

Please find the President’s Report 2013 on our website www.hongkong-chefs.com for your kind reference.  Overall, 2013 has been a great year for Hong Kong chefs! Also, see inside this newsletter a rundown of our culinary competition successes throughout the year.

We are in the process of setting up a new Hong Kong National Team under the fine leadership of Sum Chui, Calvin Choi, Ken Tse and pastry chef Ken Lee with the support of our “old” team members, such as National Team Manager Anita Cheng and many others.  They had their first meeting and have already registered for the FHA Singapore 2014 competitions held April 8 – 11 in the Battle of the Lion.  Soon we’ll commence our trial cooking dinners and will have you engaged again.

On January 6, our legendary fondue night took place at the Pacific Club, see story inside.  At the end of January, we held a small social event to thank our supporters in 2013.

Our next AGM and Annual Dinner are scheduled for March 3 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in West Kowloon.  We expect a large turnout, so please book early.  All Professional Members are encouraged to attend our AGM meeting because your vote can make a difference.

The WACS Congress will take place on July 2, 2014 in Stavanger, Norway.  We decided to send 3 to 4 Committee Members and 1 to 2 young chefs to represent the HKCA.  In addition, Calvin Choi and his assistant will represent not just Hong Kong but all of Asia at the finals of the Global Chef Challenge at the WACS Congress.  We’ll keep you updated on the developments.

Like last year, we’ll try to arrange a full range of events but will try to do it with a more modest budget.

Let me end by saying a big THANK YOU to all of you – the Committee members, the suppliers and friends.  It was a great year and we could not have done it without you!

I wish you all “Kung Hei Fat Choy” in the Year of the Horse and look forward to seeing you at the AGM and Annual Dinner!

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