DINING

Raise the steaks Chef-owner of Cococabana and CoCoNuts Jean-Paul Gauci shares his tips for the ultimate Father’s Day barbecue. By Apple Lee

1. Check the weather forecast for obvious reasons.

2. The kids will generally love having first dibs from the grill. It’s good to know that you have prepared enough food for all with little left over.

3. Depending on the type of grill you’re using, keep your charcoal dry, soak your wood or check that the gas bottle is full. Kindle the wood instead of using chemical fire lighters.

4. Make sure all the ingredients are in the refrigerator the night before. Remember to prepare some good grilling veg too.

5. Your essential tools will include a good cutting board with a drip canal, sharp knives, long and short tongs, a small fan, trivet (wire tray with a tray under to catch any liquids) and a good thick cast (iron grill top is the best).

6. Don’t overlook the importance of condiments and sauces. A good rock salt, pepper and chill grinders, cheese for grilling, olive oil, mustard, Chimichurri and a squeeze of lemon all take things to another level. hickory to give your meats a smokey flavour. Cherry and apple wood are especially good for pork and seafood, but generally speaking, oak and hickory suffice for all.

8. Remove all ingredients from the refrigerator – apart from fillets and small seafood – before your guests arrive to allow them to temper. This will make it a lot easier to control the cooking process, and also makes for a nice display too!

9. Start your barbecue with some simple salads and slow cook onions and peppers on the grill. The onions will give out a wonderful aroma.

10. Season your meats with coarse salt only. Add pepper and other seasonings at the last minute.

11. Once the fire is down, leaving only embers, which will give off more heat than a huge fire, you are ready to Asado grill. I generally start with bigger joints and sausages then work my way up to the more tender delicate parts and seafood – while always keeping some veggies going.

14. By this time you’ve had a few cold ones, you are ready to train the other guests to take the reins.

15. Finally, and rightfully so, a barbecue is a fun occasion for all, so keep it fun by doing a checklist a few days in advance. Let’s not be running around and looking for some good sea salt, tools or a bucket for cold beer at the last minute.

Cheat meal

Don’t fancy going DIY? Take the hassle out of your next barbie with these grill packages

The Butchers Club

Apart from being a popular burger joint, The Butchers Club also sells a variety of dry-aged meats and seafood. It stocks a hefty barbecue pack available for order and purchase for $980.

thebutchers.club

FOR MEAT LOVERS

Morton’s The Steakhouse

The famed American steakhouse now offers a range of takeaway steak kits, so you can enjoy its house specialities anytime you want. Its Ultimate Grill packages are ideal for families of up to eight and include a selection of center-cut filet mignons, prime ribeye steaks and New York strips. mortons.com FOR FAMILIES

Invisible Kitchen

Priding itself as Hong Kong’s ‘greenest’ caterers, Invisible Kitchen offers responsiblysourced ingredients using sustainable seafood, freerange Australian chicken and organic veggies straight from local farms.

invisiblekitchen.com

FOR ECOFRIENDLY EATERS

World Gin Day special

For the entire month of June, Dr. Fern’s Gin Parlour is encouraging all patients to sip and vote forits favourite Hong Kong gin in celebration of World Gin Day. The remedies on offer include Two Moons Distillery Gin, Perfume Trees Gin, Gweilo Gin, Bauhinia Gin, N.I.P. Gin,

Spun Candy comes to town

Popular British sweet shop Spun Candy is opening its first Asian location in Harbour City this June. Established in London in 2013, the shop creates traditional, handmade British confectionery including rock candy and personalised lollipops. A variety of candy making masterclasses will be available in 2021.

spun-candy.com

Cookie monster

Cookie DPT has partnered up with Café Gray Deluxe for a delicious afternoon tea set this summer. The set will include an Earl “Gray” Cookie – a nod to the restaurant name, mini red velvet cupcakes and the brand’s first savory treat, a sabatino black truffle cheddar biscuit. The set is available until July 31. Level 49, The Upper House, Pacific Place 88.

upperhouse.com

and Porcelain Shanghai Mandarin Gin. Patients can choose any three gins for $250 and their orders will be served in flights. Shop B31A, First Basement Floor, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central. mingfathouse.com/dr-ferns

Shoku launches new summer menu

New Indian restaurant at Rosewood Hong Kong

Transport yourself to the lively streets of India at the luxe TST hotel’s newest restaurant concept, Chaat. Meaning ‘to lick’ in Hindi, Chaat brings India’s delicious street food and homemade classics to the restaurant table, delivering authentic flavours reimagined and refined for a modern setting. The new restaurant is helmed by Executive Chef Manav Tuli, who cut his teeth in the kitchens of luxury hotels across India, Mauritius and London. Alongside Chef Tuli’s cooking, the restaurant is sure to bring guests a dining experience that echoes the vibrant social scene of the bustling Indian marketplace. Level 5, Rosewood Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. chaat.hk

Light vegetarian dishes take centre stage at Shoku, Repulse Bay’s Japanese binchotan grill, this June. There is a brand new section of plant-based items on its summer menu, which features some of its most popular dishes reimagined with a green twist. Those who wish to go for something lighter on the stomach will be pleasantly surprised by the selection of healthy yet flavourful dishes. Shop 109, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay.

Facebook: shokuhongkong

Time for tea

Contemporary tea cocktail bar Tell Camellia has recently unveiled a daytime experience serving luxurious fine teas sourced from around the world. Dubbed The Tea Room, the venue now offers a refreshing range of tea blends, cold brews and zero proof cocktails during the day. Signature serves include spiced masala tea, Turkish Rize tea and uji matcha tea. LG Floor, H Code 45 Pottinger Street, Central. Facebook:

tellcamellia

Camp it out

Summer learning for the kiddies. By Charmaine Ng

FOR LITTLE ONES

Woodland Pre-Schools

Help your children make the most of their summer holiday with Camp Woodland. Play, learn and make new friends across four of its campuses this summer from July to August. Tailored for six-month to six-yearolds, a world of fun and discovery through Woodland’s exciting programmes awaits.

woodlandschools.com

SPOT

Speech therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy specialists SPOT are hosting a range of camps for the little ones in July and August. Some courses work towards tackling a specific issue, such as Literacy Boost which is aimed at children with dyslexia and Munch Bunch which is aimed at picky

eaters; whilst others offer a general scope, such as SPOT Buddies where children can practise their social skills. The camps are held at SPOT’s Central and Wong Chuk Hang locations. spot.com.hk

Fairchild

No books are needed at the play-based summer programmes by Fairchild Junior Academy and Fairchild Kindergarten. From

Woodland pre-schools

June to August, Fairchild is holding morning and afternoon thematic programs for children, aged up to six years olds. Children have the opportunity to explore a variety of fun-filled activities such as sports, cooking, reading, storytelling, music, creative arts, sensory exploration and science. Held at Fairchild’s campuses in Tin Hau and Sai Ying Pun.

fairchild.edu.hk

FOR ADVENTURERS

The leading eco-education and permaculture centre has a farm, forests, a tree-house, streams to paddle in and many play spaces for children aged five to 11 to run around. It has also adopted a ‘forest school’ ethos and story-based adventure dramas – mostly to save the planet – to its repertoire.

arkedenonlantau.org

Outward Bound

A local registered charity, Outward Bound has for the past 50 years provided thousands of young people with personal development experiences in the rugged beauty of Hong Kong wilderness. This summer, it has arranged various one to 18 day courses that will empower children and teens to rely on themselves and their peers to achieve their group goals. Activities include sea kayaking, sailing, hiking, rock climbing, high ropes, camping, gorging and raft-building. Sai Kung and Wong Wan Chau. outwardbound.org.hk

Treasure Island

Now in its 15th year, Treasure Island is back with nine weeks of the biggest Surf & Adventure camp training for surfers aged five to 16 years. Suitable for children and teenagers of all levels, the week-long day camps cover Grommets, Intermediates and Young Adventurers. The courses not only get the kids surfing, but also teach water skills, ocean safety and environmental awareness.

treasureislandhk.com

FOR BUDDING SCIENTISTS

Big Bang Academy

This July, Big Bang Academy will be hosting

its five day detective-themed science summer camp for children aged five to 12. With a vision to inspire self-motivated learning, Big Bang Academy has invited several celebrity professors to show the camp’s little scientists a wide range of exciting experiments never seen before. Online camps are also conveniently available at the comfort of home, with topics about dinosaurs, outer-space and much more! bigbangacademyhk.com

First Code Academy

With schools being closed most of this year so far, First Code Academy is determined to provide children with the best coding experience, both online and in-person. From the beginning of June to the end of August, the school is offering more than 200 modules for kids three and above, including Minecraft, Roblox, Scratch, Python and an all-new IB Bootcamp. firstcodeacademy.com

FOR ALL-ROUNDERS

Canadian International School of Hong Kong

CDNIS runs one of the most diverse summer programmes every year, open to all children and teens in Hong Kong. Be it academic programmes, coding, multi-activity, African drum and dance and more, there is something for everyone. Classes run in the morning, afternoon and on Saturday from June to August. Bus services are available for those who live further away. cdnis.edu.hk

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YWCA CLLE

This July and August, reputed one-stop learning centre YWCA CLLE is hosting a series of summer camps at the YWCA International Kids Club. It has over 400 camps on offer this Summer for children of all ages including STEM, drama, gymnastics and trampoline, football, material arts, cooking, painting and Mandarin, just to name a few. All courses are taught by experts in their profession. clle.ywca.org.hk

A Southern Lantau

Rory Mackay hikes from Shek Pik to Tai O adventure

Many spots in Hong Kong can feel far removed from the city, but are in fact just round the corner or over the hill from town. Then there are those rare confines that are genuinely far removed from civilisation. The southern tip of Lantau Island is such a place. Take the time to explore this enclave and you will be rewarded with a trip back in time to an untarnished landscape bursting with deserted beaches, fertile valleys and lush jungles.

Despite Southern Lantau’s geographical isolation from the rest of Hong Kong, it is easily accessible and can be reached from the city within a couple of hours. The area is best explored by foot. My favourite route follows the region’s inspiring coastline, starting at Shek Pik in the east and finishing at Tai O in the west.

Spectacular sunsets

On the direct hiking route, the more athletic types can complete the 15 kilometres within four to five hours. However there are many sights worthy of a cheeky detour along the way, so why not dedicate an entire day to this adventure? As a coastal hike, the main path avoids any major hills and is ideal for families who enjoy the outdoors. It’s advisable to bring a map if you’re unsure of the directions, and plenty of water during the warmer months.

To reach the start of the trail, catch either the number 11 bus from Tung Chung or the number 1 bus from Mui Wo to Tai O. Keep an eye out for the Shek Pik Reservoir and disembark at the first bus stop immediately after the bus crosses the dam wall. Take in the beautiful sight of the Shek Pik Reservoir and Lantau Peak behind you before turning away, then follow the Lantau Trail southwards.

The first part of the walk follows a catchwater and serves as a gentle warm-up before you hit the dirt track. Staying up above the coastline, you’ll see beautiful views across many bays and beaches on this section. The

path then descends to the idyllic Fan Lau Peninsula and its two sandy beaches. At a small Dai pai dong here, the friendly owner will make you a wholesome bowl of noodles, complete with drinks and fruit. This is the only such facility along the way, so make sure to recharge here before heading on.

If you’re interested in historical sites, take a half-hour excursion to visit Fan Lau Fort on the far end of Fan Lau Peninsula. Built in 1729 during the reign of the Yongzheng Emperor, the fort was abandoned by the British in 1898 and almost all that remains today is a large stone rectangle.

The second half of the walk from Fan Lau to Tai O follows a much more sheltered section of coastline and is heavily forested. The area possesses great biodiversity, so keep an eye out for interesting plants and animals. Pass through the majestic village of Yi O – complete with agricultural farmland, grazing cattle and abandoned buildings, it’s a surreal settlement to stroll through.

Just past Yi O, the path meets an area of mangroves on the coast. At this juncture you have the option of checking out the most stunning of detours at the Man Cheung Po waterfalls and infinity pool. Turn right onto a less distinct path and head up the hill past a few abandoned houses. Continue for about 20 minutes up the valley until you reach the pools. This is quite a popular spot nowadays, so you might suddenly see more folk in the first five minutes up there than you would have on the entire walk. But when you reach the pools

Panoramic views

on a hot sunny day, it’s clear to see what all the fuss is about. Although it is prohibited to swim in the infinity pool (because it serves as a reservoir for Tai O), the numerous rock pools and waterfalls behind it are fair game.

Go back down the same way you came up, and once you return to the main path it’s a simple one-hour walk to Tai O. If hiking 15-17 kilometres sounds like biting off more than you can chew, there’s always the option to hike shorter distances at either end of the trail, from Shek Pik to Fan Lau or from Tai O to Man Cheung Po.

Once in Tai O, it’s good to have a wander around the village. Whether it’s your first or one hundredth time there, the sights and a refreshing beverage are always an enjoyable treat after a decent walk. From Tai O you can simply hop on a bus back to civilisation, although beware that there are sometimes massive queues for the number 11 bus to Tung Chung during holiday seasons. If that happens, I strongly recommend cutting your losses by opting for the number 1 bus to Mui Wo and then a ferry to Central. Rory Mackay runs adventure company Wild Hong Kong. For more details visit

wildhongkong.com

A moment to reflect

Few places in Hong Kong offer themselves to moments of reflection and thoughts of those who came before. Buildings fall, people move on, and the fabric of whole districts can change in the space of a generation. But Stanley Military Cemetery, located on the southern outskirts of Stanley, remains a place to reflect. Originally constructed during the early colonial period, Stanley Military Cemetery was used for members of the British garrison and their families from 1841 to 1846. Closed for a number of years, the cemetery reopened in World War II, during one of Hong Kong’s darkest periods.

Nicole Slater pays a visit to Stanley Military Cemetery

On Christmas Day, 1941, Hong Kong fell to the invading Japanese forces. While the fighting may have been brief, it was intense and casualties were high. Conditions under the Japanese Occupation were tough. The cemetery was contained within the Stanley

Internment Camp, where 2,800 prisoners of war- men, women and children- were held from January 1942 to August 1945. Many died and 121 prisoners of war are buried here, their graves marked by homemade granite headstones the prisoners carved themselves. On teaching headstone marks the graves of a 75-year-old internee, Mary Williamson, who died in 1942 and of her grandson, Lance Corporal Douglas H. Collins-Taylor, who died the year before, on the day Hong Kong fell.

Today the cemetery is beautifully maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. As well as the prisoners of war, there are 598 WWII Commonwealth servicemen buried or commemorated in the cemetery, 175 of whom remain unidentified. The cemetery also contains a new Hong Kong memorial to the Chinese casualties of the two world wars who have no known graves.

The ages on the headstones are particularly sobering. Many of the men were barley in their 20s when they made the ultimate sacrifice.

To wander around the cemetery does not take long. There are beautiful views of the South China Sea, the hills and trees, made even more pleasing by the cheerful sound of children playing in nearby St Stephen’s College. Although those buried here had their lives cut cruelly short, their final resting place is quiet, peaceful and dignified.

Ask a vet... Dr. Pauline Pets Central veterinarian Dr Pauline Taylor shares her tips for keep your cat entertained

Modern domestic household pet cats come in many different colours, breeds and sizes as a result of their genetics and human breeding programmes. Cats have been known to be companions for humans from as long ago as 7000BC.

The psychological benefits of living with a beloved pet includes companionship, a feeling of being needed and less depression. The physical benefits include decreased blood pressure, reduced risk of a second heart attack and decreased triglyceride concentrations.

Cats can’t talk so it’s important we understand their signals. As natural born predators an adult male cat spends around 12.5 percent of his time eating, killing around 12 mice per day. They also sleep an average of 12.5 hours per day, being most active at dusk and dawn. So if you wondered why your cat wakes you up at 5.30am, it’s because his natural ‘body clock’ is telling him it’s time to stalk, kill and eat!

When we become cat guardians and keep our cats confined in apartments 24/7, we are subjecting them to the possibility of extreme boredom. Here are some boredom tricks to keep them entertained:

• Make your cat work for their food: make feeding into a game and use food dispensing toys and slow feeders. These have an added bonus of providing mental stimulation for our bored felines.

• Create multiple feeding stations around your home, putting a small amount of food in each station. By making your cat forage or climb to get food, it not only extends eating time, but also makes feeding time more fun.

• Allow your cat to look out the window if they wish without getting frustrated.

• Buy or make cat furniture with plenty of hiding places and scratching areas.

• Get a pet DVD or sign up for cat music videos and have a feline movie night.

• Last but not least, make time to socially interact by cuddling and talking to your cat every day. Your cat will love you more that way too.

Walkies Rex the dog ventures around High Island Reservoir

Stretch your legs and take your best bud on a stroll around Hong Kong’s biggest reservoir, High Island Reservoir in Sai Kung. The walk begins with a short detour around Sheung Yiu Folk Museum, an old Hakkke village, before joining the first stage of the MacLehose Trail towards the East Dam. This Dam is part of the Geopark and offers stunning views over the water, famous hexagonal rock columns and even a sea cave, so don’t forget to

pack your camera! The hike is 12.9km and takes around four hours to complete. Make sure you bring plenty of water and dog biscuits for your furry friend and stay in the shade wherever possible. Be aware that there are no opportunities for your furry friend to take a cooling dip on this hike so this is perhaps one for cooler days!

How to get there: Dogs are not allowed on public buses so take a taxi from Sai Kung town to Pak Tam Chung, which will take around 10 minutes. You can also drive as the area offers free parking but be sure to arrive early on weekends as spaces tend to fill up fast!

Alternatively, if you choose to do this hike dog-free, take minibus number 7 or 9 or KMB bus 94 to Pak Tam Chung.

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Redesigning our city for living with Covid-19

Paul Zimmerman on how to restart direct interactions without infecting others H ong Kong and other places including New Zealand and Taiwan, have literally become islands of “virus virgins”. Initial study results underway show that only around 0.1 percent of Hong Kong’s population have antibodies for Covid-19.

Alert to the risks after SARS, Hongkongers acted quickly to tighten up hygiene, wear masks and keep a physical distance. The community pushed to shut down cross border traffic. While the rest of the world by gun point or otherwise is heading for herd immunity, Hong Kong has quarantined itself. Except for a minor leakage, we stayed clear from the waves of coronavirus sloshing around the world.

While everyone works at ‘warp speed’ on safe vaccines, the inoculation of the world’s population will require several years. To stave off economic disaster, selective resumption of cross border traffic is imminent. By rethinking our city life, we can make sure the inevitable leakage of the virus into the community does not turn into a local outbreak.

Schools have re-engineered their operations to minimise infection rates. Screens on restaurant tables will be here to stay, increasing hygiene and privacy at the same time. Our informal sector offers cardboard box rentals to domestic helpers who use these as screens so they can rest in small groups of friends.

I have spotted ‘footles’ a foot pedal attached to the bottom of doors so you can pull it open with your foot. Others put wedges to keep doors permanently open. Temperature checks and alcohol sanitizers are now ubiquitous at entrances. What we’re missing are hand washing basins at entrances or at least accessible without having to touch door handles. Missing also is the re-engineering of water fountains so we can safely refill water bottles.

We need a strategy to subsidise transport operators to increase frequency and reduce

Temperature checks at Wan Chai Immigration Tower

crowding instead of reducing frequency with the drop in ridership. We should mimic overseas initiatives to create more space for pedestrians and cyclists. The aviation and cruise industry will have to adapt their services to convince us of minimal infection risks. It is hard to imagine how to redesign karaoke bars where one drunkenly sheds saliva on friends while torturing old songs.

We need to think creatively to safeguard both lives and livelihoods. It is on all of us to redesign our social life, business operations and city life to safely restart direct interactions without infecting others.

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