The philanthropist discusses the importance of family and lists her favourite indulgences around the city 

Mother, wife, philanthropist, and socialite – these are just a few labels attached to 500 Lister Sharie Ross-Tse. Between her obligations to the Hong Kong Ballet, the Women of Hope, and the Hong Kong Adventist Hospital Foundation’s Cancer Fund, Ross-Tse is a survivor and a fighter – steadfast in her mission to help the underprivileged access better healthcare in Hong Kong.

Between keeping fit, and critiquing her husband’s cooking, Ross-Tse tells us about her favourite things to do around the city and why she’s a master multi-tasker


Perhaps one of Hong Kong’s strongest qualities is the efficiency, which I love along with the energy of the city. One of the city’s weakest qualities would have to be the pollution, which I could do without.

The best coffee in Hong Kong is a soy flat white at Fuel in the basement of the Landmark.

Honestly, I’m not much of a fan of cocktails as I find them a little too sweet although I don’t mind a mojito on a very hot day – I’m more of a water drinker.

I work out religiously. I’m addicted to spinning at XYZ, and I’ve just discovered Top-Fit where I do personal training and group workout classes.

After a long night, I think the best form of recovery is getting a great workout and sweating out the night before – it’s all about getting the circulation going!  

If I’m in the mood to splurge, it’s usually something decorative for the house on 1stdibs.com

When I need to escape the city and get away from it all, my favourite place to relax is Phuket – it’s a special place where my family spends a lot of quality time together.

Sometimes I get so busy that I forget what a guilty pleasure even is! I think sleep would be one, if only I had more free days so I could really indulge in a good sleep in 

I love getting my hair and make up done, most of the time if I have to attend events I prefer to do my hair and makeup myself but for special occasions I call on Irene Hung

My favourite places to eat vary – honestly nothing beats my husband’s cooking, he’s probably the best amateur chef I know, and I’m his harshest food critic, it’s always a fun meal. Otherwise, I go to Kishoku for the simple toro rice, my favourite lunch meal to date.       

If I’ve been away from Hong Kong for a while, my first visit is always to the acupuncturist, who gets me back in shape – or to XYZ, I miss my workouts when I’m on the road!


Photography by King Fung