Hong Kong Living July 2020

WATER SPORTS| POWER BUSINESSWOMEN | DINING

hongkongliving.com

JULY 2020

Make a splash Get on board a water sport this summer

Who Run the World

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CONTENTS — 0 7/ 2 0

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COVER STORY Get inspired by the Hong Kong women who are reshaping traditional business landscapes

4 Contributors Meet our team

6 Snapped Life on Hong Kong Island

8 THE PLANNER What’s on this summer in July

10 HK dance Raise the barre with Kayo Ugaeri, Founder and Owner of Ballet Blanc

11 Must haves

16 LOCAL

33 Zim City

Yvonne Kam, third generation of founder of Yung Kee

26 Dining

Zimmerman on utilising opportunities Hong Kong’s waterfront provides

35 Pets & gardening

The inside scoop on the best ice creams around town

28 outdoors

Monthly news on homely matters

36 Backpage Nury Vittachi lightens the mood

Make a splash by taking on a new water sport

30

Life’s a beach. Check out our beach bucket list

13 News

26

The lowdown on local news

16

11

10

18 “On my own I will just create and if it works, it works, and if it doesn’t, I’ll create something else. I don’t have any limitations on what I think I could do or be.” - Oprah Winfrey

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We are in the middle of one hot summer and restrictions are starting to be lifted as we slowly ease back into life after lockdown. Summer is made for celebrating life’s occasions after all and I found plenty of hope - and promise - hanging out in our city’s backyard.

There are so many positive points to inspire us this summer. There has been a social uprising; on matters that mean most for the benefit of our global community. The social gap of equality between men and women is bridging closer than ever before. Our cover stars on page 18 are eight trailblasing women who share their personal success stories that we can relate to, so we can pursue our own dreams. Yvonne Kam; the third generation founder of Yung Kee inspires through action, after taking the helm of the world famous Yung Kee restaurant on page 16, on how she rose to the top of a male dominated industry.

We know its scorcher this year, so make a splash with our ultimate water sports guide on page 30 and after your workout, be sure to cool down and treat yourself to an ice cream on page 26.

Let’s make this concept of positivity and community contagious year round.

hongkongliving.com talk@hongkongliving.com @hongkongliving facebook.com/hongkongliving852

Editorial Editor-in-chief Nicole Slater, nicole@hongkongliving.com Editor Melanie Cox, melanie@hongkongliving.com Senior Staff Writer Charmaine Ng, charmaineng@hongkongliving.com Editorial Director Gemma Shaw, gemma@hongkongliving.com Design Graphic Designers Alvin Cheng, alvin@hongkongliving.com Vicky Lam, vicky@hongkongliving.com Sales & Marketing Director of Content Hilda Chan, hilda@hongkongliving.com Head of Digital Content Isamonia Chui, isamonia@hongkongliving.com Partnership Managers Chrissie Ip, chrissie@hongkongliving.com Elaine Li, elaine@hongkongliving.com Digital Digital Editor Apple Lee, apple@hongkongliving.com

Things we love Reinventing a classic The Lobster Bar burger scores top marks, masterfully innovated into a flavourful concoction to chow down on at Lobster Bar & Grill. With a custom-made potato bun, the patty is made from a variety of beef cuts, including flank, neck and chuck to balance flavour and texture amongst other fillings such as streaky bacon and melted cheddar cheese. shangri-la.com/hongkong/islandshangrila/

Stay strong Hong Kong

You may have noticed that we’re at a reduced number of pages.

These are tough times for everyone and just like other small businesses in Hong Kong, we are rationing. Hopefully things will return to normal soon. For now, we’ve squeezed the same great content into this slightly smaller issue. We hope it fills you with positivity for this great city in which we live.

Want to write for Hong Kong Living Magazine?

Contact talk@hongkongliving.com 2 | hongkongliving.com

Photo credit: Graham Uden

EDITOR’S LETTER

Publisher Matt Eaton, matt@hongkongliving.com Founding Director Tom Hilditch, tom@hongkongliving.com Thanks to Nury Vittachi Paul Zimmerman Graham Uden Contact us Admin: 3568 3722 | Editorial: 2776 2773 | Advertising: 2776 2772 Published by Hong Kong Living Ltd, Room 2B, LG1 floor, Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222-226 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong Printer Apex Print Limited, TPTL 13 Dai Kwai St, Tai Po Ind Estate, Tai Po, Nt Hong Kong Living Magazine is published by Hong Kong Living Ltd.This magazine is published on the understanding that the publishers, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors and omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication. The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a reader of this publication or not, in respect of any action or omission by this publication. Hong Kong Living Ltd cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors. The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or publishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any way, part or format without written permission from the publisher.

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CONTRIBUTORS THANK YOU GUYS!

Graham Uden

Alvin Cheng

British-born photographer Graham Uden arrived in Hong Kong in 1992. His work has involved being held up by AK-47 toting ex-Khmer Rouge soldiers in Cambodia and squatting metres from Taliban trenches in Afghanistan. This month he shot our wonderful cover that shines a light on the trailblazing women of this city. grahamuden.com

Alvin is an experienced graphic designer who has worked on Hong Kong publications including HK Magazine, New Travel Magazine and Kee Magazine. He is also heavily involved in the fitness scene and is a NASM certified trainer.

Using both sides of his brain helps Alvin maintain a balanced lifestyle.

Yvonne Kam Yvonne’s family name is a household staple to many in Hong Kong. She is best known as the third generation proprietor to be running the awardwinning, world-famous roast goose restaurant Yung Kee. Yvonne shares rare insights on taking over a family business that is by tradition and trade, a male dominated industry on page 16 as well as her family’s first foray into contemporary dining at K11 Musea. yungkee.com.hk

Charmaine Ng Born and bred in Hong Kong, our senior staff writer went through the international school system before going on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a master’s degree in journalism. This month, she reveals the ultimate ice cream guide to keep you cool all summer long on page 26.

Yankee Tsang Graphic designer Yankee, previously worked in London and Berlin before moving to Hong Kong in 2014. When she isn’t designing magazines she loves collecting vinyl records and mixing music in her spare time.

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Dr Pauline Taylor Pauline is a Senior Vet at Pets Central and specialises in small animal medicine. She graduated in Scotland and spent 10 years practicing in New Zealand before moving to Hong Kong with her various four-legged family members. Pauline answers your pet queries on page 35. pets-central.com

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PEOPLE Snapped this month

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SNAPPED

Behind the scenes photographed by Graham Uden

We’re on Facebook

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PLANNER

Get out and about this July

UNTIL JUL 19

The 2020 Sovereign Asian Finalists Exhibition A diverse presentation of artwork by 31 shortlisted artists from across the Asia-Pacific region. Visitors will be invited to cast a vote for their favourite artist until July 12. Free. L2, K11 ATELIER, 728 King’s Road, Quarry Bay. sovereignartfoundation.com

JUL 1

Special Administrative Region Establishment Day Let’s start the month off with a public holiday.

JUL 1

Standup Comedy Open Mic Try your hand at comedy or watch new and seasoned comedians work out material. 7.3010.30pm. Free.The Riff, 8/F California Tower, 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, Central. theriff.hk

JUL 3

Expert Series: Taste like a Master with Debra Meiburg MW Master of Wine, Debra Meiburg shares the trusted techniques used by the world’s top wine professionals in a unique workshop. 7-9pm. From

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$750. MWM Wine School, 9th Floor, Aberdeen Industrial Building, 236 Aberdeen Main Road. mwminternational.com

JUL 4

Sai Kung Recycle Day Do your part and bring along your washed, bagged plastics for responsible recycling.

9-12pm. Hoi Pong Square, Sai Kung. Facebook: Sai Kung Plastics Recycling

JUL 4 - 25

Organic Farm with Ayurveda Yoga & Breakfast Start your weekend with Ayurveda Yoga, meditation and a light breakfast on a local organic farm on Lamma Island every Saturday in July.

8.15-10am. $250. vatayogaretreat.com

JUL 6

The Upper House Running Club Hit the trails by Bowen Road on the first Monday of each month with resident Running Coach, Mark Herman. 8-10am. Free. Meet at the hotel entrance. The Upper House, 88 Queensway, Admiralty. upperhouse.com

WHAT’S ON JUL 7

JUL 15-21

JUL 19

You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy chocolate.

Attention all bookworms - the Hong Kong Book Fair is back with book deals, compelling conferences and seminars featuring famous writers. $25. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai. hkbookfair.hktdc.com

Craving adventure? The XTE Challenge Series is organising an action-packed race through some of nature’s wondrous places. From $200. Kam Shan Country Park. xterace.com

World Chocolate Day

JUL 7-8

StartmeupHK Festival and Startup Impact Summit Bringing together the local and the international tech community online. 365 days of Startup Life condensed into two days, with multiple tracks, stages, workshops and resources to scale your business to the next level. startmeuphk2020

JUL 10

Summer Sparkles 2020 Discover local brands and shop for amazing deals at the annual Kowloon Bazaar. Kowloon ShangriLa, Hong Kong, 64 Mody Road, Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui. 11-8pm. Facebook: Kowloon Bazaar

JUL 10 - 12

HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair

Spring Race

JUL 16-17

Entrepreneur Day A series of exhibitions, sessions and events to promote entrepreneurship and start-ups in Hong Kong. 10.30am-7pm. Free. Hall 5/F, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai. event.hktdc.com

JUL 17

Hand Pan Experience Workshop Learn the basics of the unique instrument hand pan. 7pm-8.30pm. $350. K11 Atelier, 728 King’s Road, Quarry Bay. kaa.k11atelier.com

Awaken To Truth - A Silent Yoga Retreat

JUL 15-21

A profound, introspective experience that invites one to step out of the rhythm of their fast-paced lifestyles and to retreat into a place of slowing down and presence over two nights at Kadoorie Center with daily hatha yoga, breathwork, meditation and wholesome plant-based meals.

From $4,600. katharinableinis.com

HKTDC Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo

JUL 24 - 25

Get your health tips at the Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo, with a variety of fitness and bodybuilding equipment available to try. 10am8pm. $25. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai. event.hktdc.com

A five-day convention for gamers and anime enthusiasts. 10am-9pm. $35. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai. ani-com.hk.

BOOK NOW

Ani-Com And Games Fair

Got an event? We can publish the details. Email editorial@hongkongliving.com

AUG 13-17

HKTDC Food Expo 2020 Sample international cuisines at affordable prices across three large halls. Opening hours vary depending on the hall you visit. $40. Hong Kong Convention Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai. event-hktdc.com

AUG 2

Tigershead GreenRace Recce 1

SEP 18-20

The first of two recess for Tigershead GreenRace, spanning 16km around Lantau island, 9am-1pm. $830. Mui Wo Ferry Pier, Lantau Island. runnerreg.com

Rotten Head Festival Jam to 20 live music acts and sip on a range of local craft beers at the family friendly music festival. 5pm-10pm and 11am-6pm. From $150. Hong Kong Observation Wheel, Central. rottenheadfest.com

AUG 17

SEP 22-27

Sample over 100 varieties of gin and learn about how gin is made from professional distillers and ambassadors. 1pm-9pm. $190.

Renaissance Hotel, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. ginfestival.asia

Jazz it up. Jazz musicians from Hong Kong and the globe are ready to jam out. 7pm. $200. Hong Kong City Hall, 5 Edinburgh Place, Central. hkijf.com

Gin Festival HK

Hong Kong International Jazz Festival

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HK DANCE I started learning Ballet at the age of six, having been influenced by my mother teaching Japanese dance.

Eighteen years ago, I was recruited as instructor by a ballet school in Taikoo Shing and have been teaching across Hong Kong, Japan and Shanghai ever since.

My dream has been to be a ballerina since childhood. However, I hurt my knee and lumbar spine after studying abroad in Central School of Ballet in England and was told I could no longer dance professionally.

I was devastated, but I found the strength to begin exploring alternative options, working as a tour dancer through Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and also as a choreographer. This is when my new dream to teach ballet began.

Ballet Blanc came to life in 2011 due to a high demand from the mothers of my children’s schoolmates.

As a ballet teacher, my proudest moment is helping children grow, be happy and love ballet.

As a studio owner, I am proud of our studio’s prime location in Causeway Bay and top facilities.

I wanted to offer a different environment to Japanese students who eventually return to Japan to continue their education, but also fill a gap I had seen in the ballet scene in Hong Kong.

In Hong Kong, it is common to take grade tests and get the certificats, but sometime important training is overlooked in improving ballet.

My dream is to spread my own style of body conditioning while students are still young with fun and proper lessons that still educate children in the form of beautiful dance.

Ballet is a great way to understand discipline through a strict practice, but also respect of rules and etiquette. This enables children mental growth, such as strengthening patience, as well as physical benefits such as strengthening the core and improving posture.

Raise the Barre Put on your all access pass as Melanie Cox speaks to Ugaeri Kayo, Director of Ballet Blanc 10 | hongkongliving.com

Ballet is fundamental to all kinds of dance and is the only dance with barre lessons which is very effective to train and strengthen the body to build up trunk muscles and improve physical balance.

For more information or to book a class at Ballet Blanc visit balletblanc-hk.com

MUST HAVES

Life’s a beach Your summer essentials. By Nicole Slater

Eric Javits raffia fringe floppy hat $2,940 from Lane Crawford lanecrawford.com.hk

Floral escape malachite wrap bracelet $1,008 from Anthea Cooper antheacooper.com

Orange Gold Babani cover up $11,626 from Marie France Van Damme mariefrancevandamme.com

Manarai one-piece swimsuit $349 from Black Coral xo blackcoralxo.com

Tied flat leather sandals with jute $399 from Zara zara.com/hk

Sampans at sunset $1,000 from Mazu Resortwear mazuresortwear.com

Sunkissed bottle

Pom Pom straw bag $359 from Black Coral xo blackcoralxo.com

$270 from S’well swell.com

Active pink sunscreen 110ml $129 from Cancer Council Australia cancercouncilshop.org.au

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NEWS

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IN YOUR BACKYARD

HOLIDAY AT HOME OCEAN PARK REOPENS In response to the coronavirus outbreak, many governments have implemented travel restrictions, which means any idea of an overseas vacation is out of the question at the moment.

Luckily, it is not difficult to find joy travelling within Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has recently launched the Holiday at Home campaign to encourage Hongkongers to be a tourist in their own city and to view Hong Kong with a new perspective. The campaign has received great support from the tourism, retail and dining industries, which are working together to boost local consumption. “By encouraging local tourism, we hope to rebuild the city’s vibrant atmosphere and give the world a positive impression so that visitors will feel confident about coming to Hong Kong again,” said HKTB chairman Dr YK Pang. discoverhongkong.com

After months of closure, Ocean Park resumed operations in mid-June with a series of precautionary measures to safeguard the health and safety of visitors. An array of local resident exclusive offers have launched, alongside a brand new edutainment experience titled Redd’s 5 Senses Discovery. Adding on to that, an exciting new animal exhibit, Little Meerkat & Giant Tortoise

Adventure, is scheduled for unveiling later this month. Meanwhile, the Giant Panda Adventure remains closed temporarily to allow staff to focus on taking great care of pandas Ying Ying and Le Le, who succeeded in natural mating for the first time. Ocean Park currently opens six days a week, except Tuesdays, until July 31. For more information, visit oceanpark.com.hk

LIFE IN HONG KONG RESUMES After months of social-distancing restrictions and ‘quarantini’ happy hours at home, life in Hong Kong is getting back to its regular programming schedule. Hongkongers can now gather in groups of up to 50 people for weddings and other large-scale events. Bars, pubs and nightclub restrictions have also been eased, along with those for live entertainment.

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NEWS

THE PEAK TRAM TO RESCHEDULE SECOND SERVICE SUSPENSION

GRAB A BOOK, WATCH A FILM

The Peak Tramway has recently announced that the second phase of its tram service suspension originally scheduled for autumn, will now commence in 2021. The delay is due to the outbreak of Covid-19, which has negatively impacted the Peak Tram’s overhaul in terms of the sourcing of materials and production delays

The wildly popular Hong Kong Book Fair has announced a new date for its 2020 return. Asia’s largest book fair will now run from July 15 to 21, marking the first major trade event since Covid-19 battered the local events industry. Film buffs can also mark down August 18 to 31 for the return of the Hong Kong International Film Festival, now in its 44th year.

in Asia and Europe. Although postponed, the entire upgrade project is still planned to be completed in the same year, 2021. Meanwhile, the much-loved Peak Tram remains open for business and with new special packages for local residents. thepeak.com.hk

BEACHES ARE BACK More good news just in time for the sweltering summer months. Beaches, parks and libraries have reopened. A handful of our most beloved swimming spots, including Big Wave Bay, Silverstrand Beach and Trio Beach have opened, along with Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park and Kowloon Park. Time to dust off that picnic basket.

NEW WORLD DEVELOPMENT’S ‘MASK TO GO’ DISPENSERS START SERVICE Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, New World Development (NWD) has launched a series of relief measures. Building its own mask production lines in Hong Kong with an aim to produce 7 million masks per month for distribution, its much-anticipated “Mask To Go” dispensers began service in May. This creative initiative

enables 40,000 pre-registered beneficiaries to collect a free pack of five medical masks over ten consecutive weeks. The masks are available at 37 designated centres run by NGOs across all 18 of Hong Kong’s districts, easing citywide anxiety about the shortage of masks. nwd.com.hk

$10,000 CASH HANDOUTS ON JULY 8 Permanent residents over the age of 18 who applied for the government’s cash handouts since June 21 are to receive $10,000 from July 8 onwards. The handout is to encourage local expenditure and ease financial burden by the coronavirus pandemic and economic downturn. news.gov.hk

HONG KONG FASHION WEEK GOES ONLINE The 51st annual Hong Kong Fashion Week is going virtual this year. From July 27 until August 7, exhibitors and buyers from around the world can continue to discover business opportunities in the Summer Sourcing Week online. event.hktdc.com/fair/hkfashionweekfw-en

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LOCAL

Third generation revolution of Hong Kong’s Golden Goose Melanie Cox meets Yvonne Kam, the granddaughter to the patriarch of Yung Kee who is leading the charge to make change as the first woman of three generations.

If the stars were to align, now would be the time. 2020 has seen a shift in a rise in women taking on influential roles in senior management, leadership and also traditional male-dominated workscapes. Yvonne Kam is one of these trailblazers, working diligently to break barriers on traditional conventions having taken the helm as the third generation founder of Yung Kee, as an Asian woman and the first female to take over the family business that is by tradition and trade, a male-dominated industry.

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Needing no introduction, the Kam name is a household one synonymous to many Hongkongers for one reason: charcoal-grilled roast goose from the award-winning, worldfamous restaurant Yung Kee. The restaurant has been the gold standard of Cantonese cuisine since its humble beginnings as a street booth vendor, to dai pai dong, to eventually owning the building where it currently resides. “Growing up there was no pressure to join the family business,� shares Yvonne. Although

YUNG’S BISTRO she found academic and work success as a chartered accountant, she had a feeling to do more in life. Yvonne returned to Hong Kong to work in the banking industry. In 2000 and perhaps as the catalyst, the IT dot-com bubble crash took place, creating a shift in professions.

Yvonne took reign at a startup company as the financial controller. “This is where it all began.

You may say it was karma for me to return to my roots in the family business by 2005.”

At this time, the restaurant had no financial controller and the chief accountant was leaving the company. “In such a traditional business model, those who control the money have great power. My father was reluctant to let anyone outside the family take this role and he knew the juniors in-house were not able to run the business.” Yvonne began working part-time one day a week to oversee the department and began to see the inner workings of the family business. “Looking back, I can see how everything fell in place. This role opened up and was right for me to continue my family name and business.”

“You may say it was destiny, but all my work experiences prior to Yung Kee allowed me to manage some very tough situations in the beginning,” Yvonne says. “There was so much business development and dealing with investors. It was a male-dominated environment that involved decision making.”

Rising up the challenge, Yvonne trained herself to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset to take on any challenge. She knew she might not be suited to certain operations and roles within the company, but by finding her niche, she could find her feet to make waves.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle, though, was the long way up to reshape the minds of employees, customers and the general public

alike, all the while upholding culinary heritage.

“When I first joined the company, people had formed their own impressions of who I was and what I would be like to work with.” There were a lot of people who did not want me to find success and were waiting to say “I told you so”. This only reiterated Yvonne’s belief in finding her calling. “Hongkongers relate Yung Kee to the Kam family name. With such a rich family history, someone cannot speak highly and authentically about Yung Kee’s DNA without being within the family. We are not just any restaurant, but a restaurant representing Hong Kong.”

Yvonne knew she needed to develop patience and perseverance by working harder to gain trust and respect over time. “Yung’s Bistro is the first concept since 1942, so there is always some pressure but it depends on how you see what comes at you. I find opportunities to take joy daily since I’m passionate about entrepreneurship and business development.

This journey gave me a unique opportunity to train my thoughts and keep my mind strong.”

Once respect and trust were earned, Yvonne focused on her vision to continue the family legacy while sustaining their business into the next generation. “I know that Yung Kee is a classic Cantonese restaurant. In order to uphold the culinary heritage of Cantonese cuisine, I could not just use the Yung Kee name, I needed to create a new platform that would impress the mindset and perception of those who knew our brand. The challenge was how to position myself, dancing between old and new.” This is where Yung’s Bistro was born. Yvonne knew the family’s success came from their grandfather setting such a strong foundation. “In his street booth days, he would watch the customers and observe who was

having the next plate. If it was a woman, he would offer leaner cuts. He was meticulously customer orientated. It is vital we carry on these traditions that made us, and preserving our history to the next generation is vital.”

“At Yung’s Bistro, I want to inspire a new audience to explore, understand and appreciate the art and heritage of Cantonese cuisine by celebrating its authentic flavours and Hong Kong’s local food culture in a new way, ” says Yvonne. “Cantonese cuisine is not only diverse but rich in tradition, craftsmanship and philosophies. We hope to showcase this through the four key pillars that are featured on the menu at Yung’s Bistro: classic dishes with a modern twist, rare dishes from the past, recipes that tap into childhood memories, and familystyle cooking.”

Having overcome many challenges from SARS, bird flu to the coronavirus, Yvonne shares her secret recipe to overcome unprecedented times. Patience, listening to others in similar situations and learning tactics from likeminded go-getters has allowed her to see how small her problems are. “Once you see this, you can overcome any obstacle and hurdle that comes your way on a daily basis.”

Yung’s Bistro With social distancing rules being relaxed this month, it’s the ideal time to reunite with family and friends to enjoy Yung Kee’s legendary dishes, which customers have come to trust over its history spanning nearly 80 years, in a modern way at Yung’s Bistro. Shop 701, 7/F, K11 MUSEA, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Facebook: YungsBistro

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COVER STORY

Run the world Meet the women who are reshaping business and paving the way to enhance the personal and professional lives of all women.

2020 has been a groundbreaking year for women in business with an inspiring bottom line message: you’re never too young to dream big.

With decades of efforts to close the gender equality gap, particularly those that challenge power relations and are most influential in actually achieving true equality, a rise in female empowerment demonstrations worldwide, energised by young feminists, signifies a desire to bridge this gap and create a different world today.

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Women worldwide continue to make significant strides in the business world, founding innovative companies, introducing revolutionary new ideas and building a path to workforce equality.

At such a significant time in history, Hong Kong Living is tipping its hat to the city’s very own trailblasing women in business who serve as a reminder to us all that anyone can go after their passions in life and overcome daunting challenges, both personal and professional.

WOMEN’S WORLD truly competitive from a price point perspective so we are accessible to most consumers who can shop happily knowing they hold 22 plastic bottles as they use their towel.

Plenty to gain Nature is the new luxury. The most precious commodity we have is our natural environment. We are blessed in Hong Kong to have such an incredible landscape, only to be spoiled by litter, particularly plastic bottles and bags so we need to do better for our next generation.

Our mission is to address the issue through recycling plastic and supporting local charities to raise awareness. We will announce our local partnerships shortly. Launching a new business in this environment has been a challenge from a supply chain perspective. With the shutdown of factories and flights we experienced many delays. The catch-22 was the overwhelming local support for a product like this. We saw great interest in our range given this is the first summer where all Hongkongers are on lockdown to enjoy their own ‘backyard’. There has been a feeling of camaraderie among local businesses who overcame these difficult times.

Find out more about Rupert & Bird and kickstart your eco-friendly lifestyle today by visiting rupertandbird.com

Edwina Barrington Founder

Rupert & Bird Edwina is the visionary behind Rupert & Bird, an eco-friendly beach towel that doesn’t cost the earth.

The future matters As a Hong Kong-based Australian with a background in management consulting, we have been blessed spending our holidays scuba diving, hiking, boating and ‘beaching’ across Asia. When our baby girl “Birdie” was born in 2019 it became evident conservation was key in order to keep our oceans and backyard for the generations to come. Plastics are a huge threat to the environment and our wildlife. It is unfair to leave this problem for our next generation to fix. This is when Rupert & Bird was born. I found a creative outlet to fuel my passion in creating an eco-friendly product that would further drive Hong Kong’s movement towards conscious consumerism. Rupert & Bird is a vibrant collection of eco-conscious towels. Each towel consists of fabric made primarily from recycled plastic bottles, equal to twenty-two bottles saved from the ocean or landfill. We recycle single-use plastics, through the creation in our towels. I work in every aspect from design and packaging, managing quality, driving business development and partnerships.

More than a trend It’s getting easier and easier to integrate sustainable and organic products into everyday life. Our towels are compact and convenient to suit a dynamic, outdoor lifestyle. Whether it’s hiking, diving, camping or general beaching; the lightweight, quick dry and sand free nature of Rupert & Bird towels makes it the perfect companion for any adventurous soul. They are compact enough to travel with ease, without sacrificing on size and the soft comforting traits of the beloved beach towel. Locally inspired; our first range is inspired by Hong Kong - majestic black kites soaring the harbour; multi-hued shipping containers; the beauty of Chinese calligraphy seen across the city.

A challenge with environmentally conscious products is the price point can be significantly higher than their plastic alternative. We have many eco conscious alternatives available, but the price point limits change in mass consumer behaviour. At Rupert & Bird we are focused on being

Julianna Yau Founder

Ampla Education Ampla Education is a premium service provider, specialising in afterschool tuition and admissions consulting services for students applying to boarding schools and universities.

Inspired education I spent my childhood in Canada, adolescence in Hong Kong, boarding school and university in the UK, followed by a teaching course in the US. I incorporated this vital insight in understanding students with the different teaching modalities I learnt worldwide, providing the perfect blend of knowledge, flexibility and interaction. Upon graduating from the UK, it only made sense I was working as an education consultant in Hong Kong. I was meeting students who had great academic potential, but lacked opportunities to fully realise their skills. I love working with children

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COVER STORY as they energise me. This is the main reason I continue to teach on top of my business development responsibilities.

I established Ampla Education in 2016 with the goal of helping children aged 6 to 18 years achieve their academic goals through speciality mentorship programmes that cater to the needs of each child. Additionally, our mission is to make quality education more widely accessible by implementing projects such as free university application workshops for under-resourced students and girls literacy programmes. We hope that more children can be nurtured and encouraged to fulfil their full potential.

East meets West We have a unique model in Hong Kong for providing all-inclusive services. We combine the best teaching methods worldwide through our specialty consultants - all of who graduated from top boarding schools and universities worldwide. Our aim is to inspire and empower the next generation, while understanding the gaps of education through experience. Tailor-made classes are developed to individual student needs, optimising their performance inside and outside school. We specialise in school admissions and after-school tutorial services enabling students to achieve their academic goals through quality teaching.

Democratising education Ampla ensures that under-resourced students will be on equal footing with more financially capable students when it comes to university applications. We believe that every child deserves a quality education. To democratise education and enhance lifelong learning opportunities for less fortunate children, Ampla created supportive learning environments by constructing two school buildings in Cambodia last year.

In Hong Kong, we have partnered with YMCA Boundless for the past three years to help under-resourced local students accomplish their goals by providing workshops on personal statement writing, interview skills and university application guidance. Due to the situation this year, we have switched to one-on-one online sessions to provide targeted advice.

Dr. Emilie Berthet Clairet Founder

Nutritionist

Holistic Nutrition

Vitality Centre HK

A registered medical doctor in her native France, Dr Emilie Berthet Clairet works as a nutritionist and holistic practitioner at the Vitality Center, in Central.

Surviving uncertainty Living in a fast-changing world with social and political uncertainties, adapting creatively is key. We are constantly modernising our teaching methods to prepare students for the future and equip them with the ability to think critically and independently. Since the end of January, we have been evolving our company and conducting most of our lessons and meetings through our online platforms, with a focus on promoting mental well-being by offering a ‘Fun Activity Challenge’ on social media. This has kept our students and tutors connected with a sense of support, allowing creativity to blossom through other forms such as writing songs, starting YouTube channels, to baking and making instruments - all from scratch.

With most public exams being cancelled, we encourage our older students to think about university applications and make the most of this downtime to enhance their profile by offering personal project guidance, head start IB/ A-Level courses and an online Oxbridge research summer programme that will keep our students motivated while enriching their CV. Despite all the pros of online learning, children need human interaction. This summer, we will launch the edu-tainment programme until social-distancing measures ease. We will combine education and entertainment to transform children’s parties (at a venue of their choice) into a thrilling adventure.

Amy Kwan

To learn more about the services or to book a consultation please visit ampla-edu.com

Good Wills is a will writing and consulting services provider with the belief that every person has the right to have a say in where their assets should go to let their love last

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Founder

Good Wills

WOMEN’S WORLD A holistic journey I was a medical doctor in France and have worked as a fitness instructor and nutritionist in Hong Kong. Two years ago, despite upholding what is considered a healthy lifestyle, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I realised then that there was so much more to a healthy lifestyle than exercise and calories and began to search for what was missing in fundamental wellbeing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I turned to my three greatest passions: nutrition, fitness and holistic health. This is where I began my work as a nutritionist and holistic practitioner. I am a model of my own approach and believe this is integral for my patients to see it so they can believe it, because I practice what I preach. I found out the hard way that there was not one recipe or lifestyle that worked for everyone to be healthy and disease free. I recognise that everyone is different, with varying genetics, tastes and lifestyles and that each person has their own.

The bigger picture Holistic nutrition is a holistic health approach that is often part of a comprehensive healthcare plan. It can be understood as a more conscious and comprehensive approach to your diet, taking into account all the factors that can influence what you eat and how you live your life while understanding that everyone is different and there is no pre-made protocol to stay healthy. Listening to ourselves, our body and our needs is key to finding our own healthy diet and lifestyle.

Adopting a holistic health approach can empower one to uncover their own healthy lifestyle. No one knows you better than yourself, so my role is simply to accompany you on the journey of finding your own healthy lifestyle.

I believe everyone should know that there are different types of health and that there is no one-size-fits-all diet or exercise regime. The

Learn as you go After spending more than 10 years in the legal industry in Hong Kong and Australia, I founded Good Wills in 2018 as a will writing company based in Hong Kong. This was my first shot at being my own boss. Working in the legal industry taught me many things. After drafting wills and working on estate administration and estate disputes, I moved to corporate law to specialise in initial public offering and compliance for listed companies.

During my time in corporate law, I was able to gain a lot of insight into running your own business and knowing what it takes to be successful.

Understanding this has been a key factor in my own success.

It was always my dream to become an entrepreneur doing what I love. I felt empowered because of my belief that every person has the right to follow their dreams. Good Wills strives to provide the best will writing and consulting services for our clients. More importantly, we understand the significance of having a Will ready at all stages of life, it is our mission to educate people that a Will is for everyone, not just older generations or the wealthy. I strive daily to remove this misconception about a will because everyone deserves and should have a Wills.

Good will hunting Everyone needs a Will. If you pass away without a Will, the law dictates who is to get what, in other words, you have no say and the law makes the decision for you. We all own assets, be it your bank account or MPF, which need to be dealt with. If you die without a Will, not only do you have no say in the distribution of your estate, you are also causing unnecessary stress and uncertainty to your loved ones. As people are usually not familiar with the law, it is normal for the deceased’s family to seek legal advice and find out what happens to the deceased’s estate.

philosophy of holistic nutrition is that there is an interaction of these factors that interplay with one another (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, economic, environmental) that affect our general wellbeing.

Taking into consideration one only - often it’s the physical health - is only part of the problem and why your health can be affected immediately and over the long term. I recognise in my practice that everyone is different, with varying genetics, tastes and lifestyles and that each person has their own healthy way of life to find.

Optimum health While holistic nutrition is new and well recognised in Canada and USA. There are already few practitioners in Hong Kong. I am lucky to work at the Vitality Center, which is a well established medical center in Central. The most rewarding part (and what I love most about my job) is I can enable people to positively discover their own methods to live a healthy lifestyle and eat well. These steps are not short term solutions like most diets and trendy practices, but are life-long habits you can incorporate into your daily practice.

Adopting a holistic health approach will emphasize the connection between spirit, body, and mind since the goal is to achieve maximum well-being, so everything is functioning in the very best that is possible. Additionally, I have seen people who take on a holistic health approach are also more likely to accept responsibility for their own level of well-being, but also the everyday choices that are used to take charge of one’s own health.

Find out more about starting a healthy lifestyle and book a consultation today by visiting holisticnutritionhk.com

As you can imagine, the cost of obtaining such advice could easily be higher than if the deceased has set up a will during his or her lifetime.

Not only is it also more expensive in the administration of the deceased’s estate if someone dies without a Will, the procedure tends to be more complicated and lengthier. The delay can also cause financial problems to the deceased’s dependants. Awareness about this is somewhat limited and I have made it my mission to educate the world.

In Asia and across Hong Kong, people avoid talking about death. It’s taboo and may bring misfortune. However, we all know that this is not the case because death is a stage that we all go through in life. It is unfortunate that people seem to only realise and appreciate the necessity of a Will only after death occurs. This is why I work hard to educate people that your loved ones will appreciate designating and assigning all matters prior to death.

A Will significantly reduces grief and stress, from carrying out their funeral wishes to avoiding conflict about valuable assets.

What I love most When I see my clients’ smile upon signing their Will, I see a sense of relief and peace of mind on their faces. I appreciate clients who take the time and effort to leave us such positive reviews and feedback while experiencing loss to reinforce my belief in why I created Good Wills. This is my fuel to continually improve, but provide job satisfaction to keep me motivated. This also makes me love what I’m doing knowing that I am at the right place doing the right thing in life.

To learn more about the services or to book a consultation please visit goodwills.com.hk

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COVER STORY It’s so important to keep adapting and changing in a fast-revolving world, especially in this modern age, so I am now focusing on making content on my IGTV based on my understanding that more and more people are wanting content that is raw and real. My YouTube show “Wok and Gong” was personality-driven, but had a more polished approach that required more resources during production. However my IGTV content is more true to my nature, and much easier to produce. My IGTV platform will be where I launch two new series, “Daily Deb’’ and “A la Minute”, where I feature other F&B personalities.

It’s truly freeing to be a ‘one woman band’. I am in charge of production from conception to editing, and have received great feedback so far.

Storytelling through food Many people feel that cooking is a chore and can be time consuming as well as complicated. My cooking philosophy is about very few ingredients, mostly veggies, seasoned with care and finesse, and minimal equipment. This job has allowed me to meet other inspiring people who have a passion for storytelling through food. To learn more about Debbie’s work please visit Instagram. Youtube (Wok and Gong)

Debbie Wong

TV, YouTube and IGTV producer and host

Best known as producer and host of Wok and Gong, Debbie was an actress before becoming a TV host on the Asian Food Channel. She has also launched her own IGTV platform @ms.debbiewong

An unconventional star I never went to culinary school, I simply learned on the job and was obsessed watching cooking shows growing up. I began at Whole Foods Market, being in charge of their prepared foods department.

You could say my background is vegetables, organic and natural foods. I also worked as a private chef, however, prior to entering the world of food, my career was in the performing arts, I went to school in NYC majoring in Musical Theatre, spending several years as a full time actor in the US and Canada.

I wanted to combine my two life passions which were: performing arts and food. Not your average combination. This is when in 2012, I began a channel noticing a huge gap in the market for non-Caucasian chefs in media who cooked with a global approach. As a child of immigrants, having been raised (Canadian) in an urban, multicultural environment, I knew this was my chance to showcase food that would resonate to many who grew up like myself in this age.

Leigh Powrie Co-owner and CFO

Double Haven Brewing / Dragon Water

Food Hero In Wok and Gong’s fourth year, I was able to bring my culinary passion as a television host on Asian Food Channel and was announced ‘Food Hero’ in 2015. Since becoming a food TV host, I have seen my audience grow organically, motivating me daily. I got to travel across Asia with unimaginable opportunities. I am grateful daily for all the opportunities that TV has brought me, and inspired to keep on climbing.

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Summer has arrived and is the perfect time to enjoy Hong Kong’s very own naturally brewed spiked seltzer; Dragon Water, made from Double Haven Brewery.

The birth of locally-crafted, spiked seltzer; Dragon Water One thing to share about me is that apart from some time spent slinging drinks in college, most of my professional life has been in manufacturing.

WOMEN’S WORLD However, as an outdoor enthusiast, I spend a lot of time exploring Hong Kong’s backyard which is incredibly rich and diverse with its sandy beaches, natural reserves and geoparks. My partner and I wanted to create a beverage that complimented this side of Hong Kong and the lifestyled lived by many. We wanted a drink that we could come home to and enjoy, that was light, refreshing yet health-conscious. This was when Dragon Water was born with the aim to be the go-to drink for those seeking a healthier alternative to heavy beers and mixed cocktails but still want to join the party without sacrificing flavor.

Dragon Water is the first of these releases through our flagship Double Haven Brewing: it is a spiked seltzer created through a unique, natural brewing process that provides the ultimate guilt-free indulgence. Our spiked seltzers fuel summery outdoor experiences with subtle sting of our innovative “dragon fire.”

Spiked seltzer Spiked Seltzers are a new product category in Hong Kong. Despite looking similar to a Vodka & Soda, our spiked seltzers contain no distilled spirits. Instead, it is made in the same way as most beers. Utilizing sugar and a highly aggressive yeast, we brew and ferment our spiked seltzers in-house to a targeted 4.5% alcohol by volume before adding botanicals and natural flavors. By brewing with sugar instead of malts and grains, our spiked seltzers are naturally gluten-free and the aggressive yeast ensures that almost all of the sugars are consumed in the fermentation process leading to lower calories. They are crisp, light and refreshing making them the perfect sidekick for junk boat trips, BBQs or as a post hike reward.

Made in Hong Kong Our Brewery, Double Haven is located outside of the city in Fo Tan. Named after an inlet in the GeoPark at Plover cove, I am proud to share that our brewery is made up of an incredible mix of 14 talented brewers, operators and liquid magicians and are excited at releasing new beers and beverages this summer. The people I work with. We are, at heart, a family business- if not by blood than by trust and shared experiences. As an alcohol brand, what we are really selling is an experience. Whether it is sharing time with friends and family, a postrace celebration or a quiet drink at sunset, our job is to infuse those memories with a splash of energy and a twist of fun.

Community action The first three months of 2020 were tough as we faced disruptions in supply chain, drops in production and uncertainty in the market. We were only able to cope by relying on our community; our employees, suppliers and our customers. The community closest to us, our employees, were all asked to wear multiple hats, pitch in and be flexible in their roles. Brewers were sent on sales calls and technicians were asked to create graphics or work in the back-office. By doing this, we were able to keep the brewery alive with no cuts in hours or pay. We also forged stronger relationships with our suppliers who worked with us on deliveries and payment terms to prop us up through the slow months. And of course, we’ve been supported by our customers who have been incredibly encouraging, spreading the word, and introducing Dragon Water into their own social circles.

Find out more about Double Haven Brewery and treat yourself to some Dragon Water today by visiting dragonwater.com

Karena Belin Co-Founder, CEO

WHub and AngelHub Karena is the Founder and CEO of HK’s biggest startup platform and community builder WHub. (whub.io) and Founder and COO/CFO of AngelHub (angelhub.io)

#Passion into my Profession The reason why I left my corporate career is the same as why I stayed in it for so long: making a positive impact on the community and the world. I worked 15 years for Procter and Gamble across Germany, France, North East Asia and Greater China. My co-founder Karen and I began to follow our passion for technology and entrepreneurship noticing our friends in the startup scene were looking to get help with recruiting. We launched WHub with its first service to help startups get access to great talent and then scaled it from there. I love working with like-minded, passionate people, all united and driven by this mission to make a positive impact on the ecosystem and the communities they live in. They are unstoppable and get involved with multiple initiatives to better communities, Hong Kong and the society at large.

How I made my #Passion into my Profession Both sister companies share the same mission; that passion and belief drive innovation and economic growth. The hashtag of our logo #StartupPassion shows not only our desire to help startups grow and scale, but also the belief of upholding ‘Passion, Mission and Purpose’.

It’s this inner drive to come up with an innovative solution to an existing problem you deeply relate to that differentiates them. I am proud to say that WHub is now the largest startup community proudly born in Hong Kong, showcasing more than 75% of the startup ecosystem, with over 3,500 startups, 500 partners globally and a reach of over 2 million stakeholders. AngelHub is HK’s first and still only SFC (Securities and Futures Commission, HK regulatory body) licensed Startup Investment platform for Professional Investors and Growth Stage Startups scaling in Asia and hence can play this role of making a difference in the fundraising ecosystem, by allowing potential investors to jointly benefit from a global deal flow and organise Startup Competitions around the world with a reach of over 40 countries.

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COVER STORY How we steered through unprecedented times Big shifts in market dynamics and forces, like in a crisis, always push us to cope with massive, sudden change. Change never comes easy, but simultaneously always offers an opportunity to seize the moment to take advantage and change the rules of the game. We are the anchor event of the StartmeupHK Festival with #SIS20 - Startup Impact Summit, and we feel like organising the same conference for the third time (the original Feb date was postponed to July and then recently moved to a fully COVID compliant online conference). But thanks to the move to online, we will have a strong global reach and can create even more and bigger impact. Especially in these interesting times, technology is even more than ever revolutionising the way we live, work and interact. And startups are best equipped to solve the new challenges we face and have the agility to adapt and cope quickly.

Kickstart your startup dreams and learn more about AngelHub and WHub by visiting angelhub.io and whub.io

of Bath. As an IB graduate myself, I understand both the transformative power of its curriculum, and its ability to open doors to the world’s most selective institutions thanks to its unique educational philosophy and approach to teaching and learning.

Why The Learning Curve goes above and beyond While the Core components of the IBDP are intended to develop the high-level skills students need to thrive academically, they are also its most challenging, effectively demanding undergraduate level content and skills mastery from high school students. I found that even highly able students were often underprepared for the academic complexities of tasks. The Learning Curve was my solution to fill this void by offering a dedicated education consultancy that specialises in IB Diploma Core advisory and tutoring services and university admissions. I knew that as an Oxbridge application specialist, students applying to Oxford or Cambridge tend to have outstanding subject scores; that’s a given.

So how could students make their applications stand out from the crowd? The answer is by writing and speaking eloquently about their experiences in the Core in their personal statements and at interviews.

Therefore, in starting my consultancy I brought my experience in, and passion for, the IB Core and university guidance together in a way that I felt had coherence in supporting successful student outcomes and would meet the needs of underserved students and parents.

Students naturally form the core of my focus, so much of my time is spent delivering one-on-one support in the Core components as well as individualised guidance through the university application process.

My work also involves more generalised consulting for students and families about a wide range of academic matters such as providing advice on choosing curricular pathways through secondary school including selecting appropriate IB diploma subjects to even how to move a student back from overseas in the middle of the academic year due to COVID-19.

I also work with international schools around the world to improve the way that the Core components are delivered and supported in schools through a combination of operational assessment, policy review, professional development courses, or implementation of new processes.

Alethea Bleyberg Founder and Director

The Learning Curve The Learning Curve is a dedicated education consultancy that specialises in IB Diploma Core advisory and tutoring services and university admissions.

About me as an IB Educator As both my parents were IB educators, I had the privilege of growing up on the campuses of international schools and am a graduate of the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) myself. After graduating from Cambridge University, I moved to Beijing for my first international school teaching position before spending eleven years working at top international schools in Hong Kong and Singapore as an Extended Essay (EE) and Theory of Knowledge Coordinator (TOK), IB Diploma Coordinator and university guidance counsellor. I am also an IB examiner and a member of the IB’s curriculum review team for the Extended Essay. Currently, I am also a doctoral student in international education at the University

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Having held a variety of roles in schools and with the IB, I am an ‘insider’ in a way that few other tutors or consultants can claim. I work with, not against, my students’ teachers and school counsellors and fully acknowledge that getting a student over the finish line successfully is a joint effort by their school, parents – and most importantly – the student themselves.

The best part of being an ‘edu-preneur’ My favourite part of my job now that I work for myself as an ‘edupreneur’ with the freedom to invest my time and efforts in areas that will have the most impact on students. This allows me to pursue my professional goals in more flexible ways and with a greater variety of stakeholders including parents, school administrators, teachers and education partners. I have also been able to expand my reach and develop new skills in the process, for instance through writing about education issues for publications and through starting my doctorate.

Being a solopreneur means that while my job is different every day, I am able to work with more focus on my mission of raising awareness about the value of the Core in the IBDP.

To learn more about the services or to book a consultation please visit the-learning-curve-hk.com

DINING

The inside scoop From traditional flavours to Instagramworthy creations that are worth the calories.

By Melanie Cox

Venchi

T AUTHRUE ITAL ENTIC GELAIAN TO

Just like its authentic flavours, Venchi has a rich history of 140 years making chocolate and gelato notorious for its premium quality ingredients and no artificial flavours, thickeners or palm oil. As a successful family-owned business founded by Silviano Venchi in 1878, Venchi has taken the dessert world by storm with multiple locations across Hong Kong’s most popular neighbourhoods. We recommend the Gianduja, Venchi’s self proclaimed “King of our tradition” using an old recipe derived from the North of Italy. venchi.hk

GELATO ART AT ITS FINEST

Givrés’

With a statement like “where beautiful Gelato Roses meet high quality Artisan Coffee”, you know you’re in for a treat.

No doubt you will have seen Givrés’ iconic desserts on Instagram, a one-of-a-kind thanks to patenting its signature “Handcrafted Rose-Shaped Gelato” to be the only place in Hong Kong to experience this specialty gelato. Available in one, two or three flavours, you can mix and match flavours to create your own customised dessert. We recommend their cone served with an espresso shot, topped on a homemade waffle or stirred into an iced coffee or tea. You’re welcome. givres.com

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ICE CREAM

Oddies Foodies

F TORO CREAGGETTE THEE FAIT PAR

Famed for its bold flair and creativity in making food combinations that are also delicious Instagram-worthy desserts; this fusion dessert shop is the first to combine eggettes and gelato, creating the “Eggette Parfait” that has spawned copycats all over the world.

Pair one of their seasonal artisan gelatos with an eggette or waffle cone. The perfect mix of old Hong Kong meets new. We also love the Jar-leto, which lets you mix layers of your favorite gelato with different ingredients. Facebook: Oddiesfoodies

Emack and Bolios

MU LTI “RO WINN AWA CK IN RD ICE STA G CR RSO EA F M

Get your cameras ready upon entering the store, the American sensation went viral opening across Asia and in Hong Kong. The multi-awardwinning ice cream brand began in Boston in 1975 and is a regular on the feeds of many local instagrammers. Over the years the team has developed countless new flavours alongside innovating the traditional cone that are encrusted with marshmallow and Froot Loops. Other signature notable products include ice cream pizzas, hand-made chocolates, home-made hot fudge sauce, incredible smoothies, shakes, frozen yogurts, sorbets. The list goes on. emackandboliohk.com

Foodie picks of the month With social distance restrictions easing and restaurants filling up, there is an influx of dining deals. Here is our guide to the ultimate dining ‘steal’ deals’.

Place & Plat du Jour Quarry Bay and PUBLIC Restaurant. From now until December 31. rewards.swirerestaurants.com

FUMI’s “All You Can Eat” Dinner Weekend What better way than to kick off the weekend right with FUMI’s “All You Can Eat” dinner. We loved the unlimited delicacies ranging from appetizer and salad, sashimi and sushi to tempura and grill. Available Friday and the weekend. From $480. 6/F, California Tower, Lan Kwai Fong, 30-36 D’Aguilar St, Central. fumihk.com

Swire Restaurants Dining Club In honour of its 5th Anniversary, we recommend signing up to Swire’s ​ Mobile Rewards programme to be the first to access instant benefits using a digital stamp card upon settling the bill and get 2 ​ 0% off dine-in offers on food items at The Continental, MR & MRS FOX, Plat du Jour Pacific

Mr & Mrs Fox

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DINING NEWS

Dining News Night out in Shanghai Known for its salute to Shanghai nights of many moons ago, Elite Concepts has relocated the much-loved Yè Shanghai to a brand new Kowloon location in K11 MUSEA. With a total of 13 Michelin stars and a time-honored history of over 20 years in Hong Kong, Taipei and Shanghai, the restaurant for the first time ever has added an extensive new dim sum menu to the offering, along with numerous innovative new à la carte signature dishes created for its new location. Shop 702, 7/F, K11 Musea, Tsim Sha Tsui. elite-concepts.com

LANDMARK EATO

rotisserie by Yardbird), Westside Taqueria (brought to you by the folks at 11 Westside) and our favourite plant-based eatery Treehouse, to name a few. Shop 9A, 9B, 9C, LG/F, Jardine House, 8 Connaught Place, Central. baseball.hk

With a diverse lineup of over 70 F&B outlets under one roof to make dining accessible yet fun this summer, LANDMARK has launched EATO. Bringing together the best of Hong Kong’s versatile, world-class F&B scene all at LANDMARK from CIAK – In The Kitchen’s stone oven-baked pizzas, to state-of-the-art omakase at three Michelin-starred Sushi Shikon, this is for those who wish to treat themselves and their loved ones to an exciting foodie adventure. landmark.hk

A taste of summer meadow

‘Thank God It’s Tuesday!’

The Ritz-Carlton is ushering in summer with a new afternoon tea set featuring artisanal French cocktails made with St Germain Elderflower Liqueur. Enjoy the summer inspired menu while taking in sweeping views of Victoria Harbour from now until September 13. Guests can also redeem the St Germain Gift Box at a discounted price, so you can shake up your own drinks at home.

Starting from $418 for one. 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon. ritzcarlton.com

Dry work weeks are soon to be a thing of the past with Friday happy hours arriving early this summer thanks to LANDMARK EATO’s ‘Thank God It’s Tuesday!’ (TGIT) promotion. There is something for everyone with to a total of 14 participating restaurants curating specialty cocktails such as the floral Japanese-inspired cocktails at Kakure or ZUMA Lounge & Bar. Drinks are $69 for one.

Available from 6-9pm from now until August 4. landmark.hk

Hong Kong’s hottest new food hall is now open Taking over the lower ground level of Jardine House where beloved institution Grappa’s Cellar once stood, BaseHall is a new food hall concept bringing together 10 of the city’s top restaurant and bar vendors. You’ll find Roti Tori (Japanese

Peel Street gets new all-day eatery Meraki Hospitality’s Mamma Always Said is Peel Street’s newest neighbourhood hotspot, serving up a selection of lunchtime bites, sharing-style dishes and drinks for five o’clock happiness all day long. With comfort and familiarity at the heart of the menu, the casual kitchen and bar takes inspiration from comfort eats around the world while fusing modern flavours and locallysourced ingredients. 42 Peel Street, Central. mammashk.com

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OUTDOORS

Get on board this summer Stay current with the hottest water sport activities in Hong Kong

Summer has arrived and if you thought Hong Kong’s clubbing scene and skyline were out of this world, wait until you experience the city’s backyard of protected marine parks and nature reserves in the form of coastlines of beaches, woodlands and mountain ranges.

Ditch the air-con life and beat the summer heat with our ultimate watersports guide.

WAKEBOARDING AND WAKESURFING For those who have a good sense of balance or wish to hone their balance skills this summer, let us introduce you to wakeboarding and wake surfing. Requiring a great deal of flexibility, wakeboarding is a sport with a surprisingly quick learning curve and is all about going with the flow. Wakesurfing is a low impact, fun water sport and is much easier to learn because of how slow the boat is moving, allowing the rider to be closer to the boat. Once you are fully standing on the board, you can let go of the rope and go hands-free on water.

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Where to hire or tour Wakeboard Hong Kong Based in Tai Tam, offers a variety of packages from private groups, corporates and even school trips. Prices vary, but their Friends and

Family Package offers three-hour sessions which include wakeboarding, tubing and boating for $2,700, available Monday through Friday. wakeboard.com.hk

STAND-UP PADDLE BOARDING Standup paddle boarding (SUP) derives from surfing but it does not typically involve wave riding. It’s a great watersport for beginners and surf pros alike thanks to its flexibility of use ranging from recreation, fitness and sightseeing. Paddleboarding can be done

SUMMER COOL on most surfaces from flat water, protected lakes, easy beach paddling, to open water paddling and all the way to surfing waves.

Riders will typically stand up or kneel on a surf style board and a long paddle. One can learn balance and work on their core to their flexibility in SUP yoga.

Where to hire or tour Aqua Bound Offers SUP rentals on Stanley Main Beach from $80 for a one-hour rental. aquabound.com.hk

WINDSURFING Did you know that our Hong Kong windsurfing team has won many Asian and World titles in the past including a Gold medal won

by Lee Lai San in the Atlanta Olympics in 1996? Wakeboarding is a 30 year old water sport deriving from water skiing, surfing and snowboarding. The rider is fastened to a board and towed behind a motorboat at around 30 miles per hour. A little tricky to master at first depending on balance, but you will be performing wakeboarding tricks in no time.

KITEBOARDING Can’t decide which water sport you want to invest time in? Kiteboarding could be your answer thanks to combining aspects of wakeboarding, windsurfing, surfing and sailing into one extreme sport. It is unique in the sense that it harnesses the power of the wind energy, allowing borders to maneuver the large controllable power kite with its larger atmosphere volume of surface attached to the board, propelling themselves across water.

Where to hire or tour The Kiteboarding Association of Hong Kong For private lessons and lessons for beginners the association has two training locations available, Shui Hau Wan and Lung Kwu Tan depending on wind direction. kiteboarding.org.hk

Sea Kayak Hong Kong A gentle six-kilometre kayak session perfect for beginners to full day trips. The beginners trip is typically three hours long for $450 per person inclusive of equipment, an experienced instructor, photography, water and snacks. seakayakhongkong.com

Hiwindlover

SURFING Believe it or not, Hong Kong has quite a few notable surfing spots to catch waves. Big Wave Bay is probably the first place that comes to mind for many with Tai Long Wan a close second due to convenience. Surfing lessons are a great and safe way to learn how to ride waves solo and can be done early morning on the beaches.

Best spots to surf Big Wave Bay, Tai Long Wan Bay and Pui O

One of the best ways to sightsee Hong Kong’s 260 plus outlying islands and remote beaches. Typically, a boat holds one to two people using a double-bladed paddle through the water to maneuver. Not only is kayaking a great day out, but it’s an opportunity to learn about our marine ecosystem and historic landscape of our backyard.

Where to hire or tour

Where to hire or tour Organising windsurfing equipment rentals and courses for over 40 years and covers every aspect of windsurfing, from beginners to Pro Clinics with Olympians. Located on Stanley Beach, beginners can learn with courses starting at $800 for three hours and beginner windsurfing gear rental starts at $150 per hour.

KAYAKING

SNORKELING AND DIVING Hong Kong isn’t just a city. It’s a subtropical archipelago made up of 236 islands, islets and rocky outcrops. In fact, there’s a total of 84 different coral species in Hong Kong just waiting to be explored under the surface of the sea with much marine life found at Hoi Ha, Sai Kung. You may also spot crabs, sea cucumbers, fish, lobsters, sea urchins and even seahorses if you’re lucky.

Best spots to scuba dive tours and lessons Splash HK Offering a PADI Discover Scuba experience which allows inexperienced divers to get some basic skills in the pool before heading out into the ocean. For a full PADI Open Water Diver course at $4,800 is approximately 30 hours and can be done over two weekends.

You can also join in their Splash Days with shore and boat diving. Prices start at $500 (equipment rental is an extra $250 per day)

FLYBOARDING Flyboarding is an exciting extreme water sport that will literally take you to new heights.

Essentially, it is a watercraft attached to a jet ski which supplies propulsion to drive the board up to 15 metres through the air over the water. Riders hop on and the water is propelled beneath your feet on the board as you lift. Yes this is a hoverboard you can use on water.

Where to hire or tour Flyboard HK Stating it only takes five to 20 minutes to learn the basics of the Flyboard with an instructor. It takes about 3 hours of training to master the manoeuvres and understand the operation of the Flyboard. For bookings or to find out more visit flyboard.com.hk

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Copyright: West Kowloon Cultural District Authority

ZIM CITY

Great waterfronts bend the rules

Paul Zimmerman on making use of the opportunities Hong Kong’s waterfront settings provide The experience of the Sai Kung waterfront is greatly enhanced by the unauthorised floating market and the restaurant seating extending onto public space.

The appreciation by visitors of the restaurants and market shops in Stanley has resulted in the government regularising their unauthorises encroachment of public space.

Dogs and scooters breach the rules of the waterfront park at Cyberport to the delight of thousands who descend on the park every holiday. The popularity of sunset at the western cargo working area can be gleaned from its nickname “Instagram Pier’’ despite the large signs warning of jail time for visitors.

Besides informal community pressure and free market enterprise there are institutional setups which allow better for bending the rules of the myriad of government departments to create enjoyable experiences. The waterfront and adjacent piazza at the pier in Discovery Bay is an

example of vibrancy as a result of having a single owner determined to make it happen.

The same can now be seen at the Art Park where the management team of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority has worked hard to bend the rules to create a magnificent waterfront with long benches, no vehicles, no railings, and restaurants with ample outdoor seating.

For the same reason – the ability to bend rules we called in 2004 for the setting up of a Harbour Authority to look after the waterfronts of Victoria Harbour. That never happened and we are trying to make due in the fight for better spaces with a committee advising a Harbour Office under the Development Bureau. The outcomes are mixed. The space under the Kwun Tong bypass is generally seen as a success. The new waterfronts at the North Point Ferry Piers, the Hung Hom ferry piers and Tsuen Wan West Rail station are abysmal failures. Planter boxes to meet greening ratios, emergency vehicle access devoid of amenities, adjacent building fronts

which fail to animate the public space, hard division between public and private, long lists of activities which are disallowed, and so forth, are testament to the failure to bend the rules of the many departments involved.

The drawings we were presented looked nice but the outcomes are dismal in making use of the opportunities these waterfront settings provide. It is upon the Development Bureau to figure out soon how to avoid the same at waterfronts which are in progress in Yau Ma Tei, Kai Tak, Yau Tong and elsewhere. It is upon us all to push for retrofits of waterfronts which have been completed.

Paul Zimmerman is the CEO of Designing Hong Kong, a Southern District Councillor and the coconvenor of Save Our Country Parks alliance.

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PETS

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What to plant in

July

Weather facts: - Average high temperature: 31.4°C - Average low temperature: 26.8°C - Average rainfall: 376.5mm (14.8”) - Average rainfall days: 17.6 days - Average sunshine hours: 6.8 hours

Dr Pauline Taylor on how to be a responsible dog owner Our pet dogs are usually warm loving creatures who are always ready to welcome us home.

They don’t hold grudges if treated respectfully and are well fed, watered and are allowed to exercise and socially interact with other dogs. I love my own dogs immensely but I never forget their natural instincts and understand my responsibility as a pet parent is to be aware of their predator instincts at all times.

As Hong Kong hikes to its hottest month of the year, July continues what the past month started: increasingly heated weather, unrelenting rain and the warning of summer thunderstorms. But in spite of this uprootedness comes growth, especially in our gardens where life begins anew.

A few weeks ago my beautiful hand reared domestic cat Georgie was sleeping happily in the sunshine under a kayak, when he was attacked by two large off leash adult mongrels, each weighing between 28-32kg. I was startled by the shouts of “Dog come!” “Dog come!” by the person allegedly in charge of these two dogs. The control she had over them in this situation was absolutely nil. They had either no ears and were deaf, or ears trained not to listen to hysterical cries to “come” when they were excitedly barking, trying to tear apart my pet cat.

Even when they eventually did come out from under the kayak, the ill-fitting neck collar on one dog meant it slipped over the head when the alleged controller tried to leash it up. So in other words two approximately 30kg killers, registered with the government (I have to assume), were on the loose in a small New Territories village having fun tearing apart my cat. While I accept it’s fairly natural for dogs to try and chase cats and other moving objects considered prey, it is not acceptable to keep dogs that you cannot control in society. We have a social responsibility to each other to maintain harmony and good relations with neighbours, even though we may dislike them and as dog owners, we are by law supposed to control them at all times.

Key practice this month will be to use disinfectant fluid to keep pests like caterpillars from damaging your seedlings.

Plants in shrubberies and creepers, will want prudent pruning to avoid overcrowding and container plants are to be brought indoors as strong winds and heavy rain will continue to persist in the months to follow.

In Hong Kong, we have a Dogs and Cats Ordinance (Cap.167) and Dangerous Dogs Ordinance (Cap.134) that sets rules on how we should behave being keepers of canines. By law under the Rabies Ordinance (Cap.421), we are required to register our dogs vaccinated against Rabies with the Government and we must abide by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Cap 169).

Seeds of the following may be sown: mustard and cress, Chinese spinach, cucumber, lettuce, sweet corn, Chinese short beans, celery, Chinese white and green cabbage. Help your plants endure the high temperatures by avoiding overwatering as nutrients can be leached and the supply of oxygen in the roots can be cut off. Instead, focus on watering at the base of the plant so the roots can benefit effectively.

In other countries, the above dogs wouldn’t be so lucky and walk away from their socially unacceptable crime. They would, for attacking another living creature, be immediately put on “death row” by government officials and their keepers summoned to court. So please, if you want the “kudos” of owning a dog, learn your responsibility and be responsible for every person you allow to take your dogs out of your property. There is no substitute for good behavior and training. This time it was my cat. Next time it could be a child.

photo credit: freepik.com

‘Rain or shine’ is this month’s motto.

Expect the heavy barrages of rainfall but also the beautiful gleaming beams of sunshine in your garden. Nevertheless, don’t lose heart for July will test your convictions for gardening and more!

By William James Tutcher F.L.S. (1867-1920) Superintendent of Hong Kong Botanical Gardens.

Paraphrased from his seminal 1906 work Gardening for Hong Kong.

Got a question for Dr. Pauline?

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*Cuss words for the classy

Nury Vittachi can be contacted at nury@vittachi. com or through his Facebook page

Award-winning author Nury Vittachi on cussing around the world Darn! Shoot! Dag nabit! Humanity is running out of swear words. This is worrying. Scientists say curse terms are important because they evolved to alleviate physical and emotional pain.

But the words lose their power now we live in a world where kindergartners greet each other with: “Good [bleeping] morning, you [bleeping] stupid [bleep].”

Cantonese has some pretty nasty swear phrases, but they have been so overused that even foreigners yawn at them now.

The other day I had to quote a bad word in a newspaper so I used the symbols @#$%^&.

These are helpful because readers can insert the right type of bad word according to their personal standards. My mild, religious family members read them as “bothersome” and clap their hands over their shocked mouths. My work friends are at the other extreme, and I had one editor who clearly dropped out of the womb with a bump and the yell of some vile utterance.

#%^& of a lot by noon.” Just doesn’t work.

Of course, there are ways for societies to refresh their supply. For some reason known only to The Universe, the English names of birds make really satisfying curses, especially if you are shouting them at someone: Lazy Cisticola, Tufted Titmouse, Brown Trembler, Paltry Tyrannulet, Yellow Bellied Sapsucker, Rough Faced Shag, Blue Faced Booby, Spangled Drongo, Dickcissel, Agile Tit-Tyrant, etc.

Another suggestion is to use other languages. In the US TV show Firefly, actors used real swear words, but only in Mandarin and Cantonese.

(They didn’t notice that there are a lot of people who speak Chinese on this planet.)

Still, non-English speakers have some cool curses. In Hindi, people insult each other by saying: “You are the hair growing on my flank area.” In Mandarin Chinese, people say, “You son of a rabbit.” (Sometimes you hear parents curse lazy children with this phrase.)

This is an issue for families. (Have you noticed that a significant percentage of parenting time is spent screaming at your children to stop screaming?)

You can use European tongues for this purpose too. I had an Italian friend who used to say “Maladicta” when I trod on his toes. It sounded very “sweary” but just means “bad word”.

Researchers say that even very young children are now learning curse words, because parents break their own anti-cursing rules. “You’re three years old! Stop [bleeping] swearing!”

Some years ago, I had to train a foul-mouthed newspaper reporter for a job on live radio. We wrote a list of words that sounded like curse words but were safe for broadcasting use and taped them to her microphone. The top three most satisfying ones were Pool, Cow and Follicle. The next time something bad happens, try shouting “POOL” at the top of your voice. It works just as well as a naughty word.

But you know what? Some people should NEVER use bad words because it just sounds wrong in their mouths. Take weather forecasters for example. “A @#$%-load of rain fell this morning, and the humidity level will rise to a

If you want to be really classy, I recommend making all dramatic announcements in Latin.

Here are some useful phrases to get you started. At the bar: “Di! Ecce hora! Uxor mea me necabit!” (“Dear God, look at the time! My wife will kill me!”) On the street: “Recedite, plebes!

Gero rem imperialem!” (“Stand aside plebeians! I am on imperial business.”)

This works well when you want to get to work but the pavements are filled with slow-moving shoppers.

And if you want to insult someone, skip the expletives. The most horrible curse in Latin is probably this one: “Utinam logica falsa tuam philosophiam totam suffodiant.” (“May faulty logic undermine your entire philosophy.”) Ooh, now that’s nasty, right?

One place where you can easily express things in an impactful way without using bad words is the Internet.

Or as I sometimes write to my children: “Do not make me use CAPITAL LETTERS.”

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