A Local Twist: Inside The First Initiative Foundation's Delicious Annual Gala Dinner

Sandwiched between the unveiling of the T-Rex on display at IFC Mall's atrium and the Hong Kong premier of Jurassic World: The Fallen Kingdom, the First Initiative Foundation's annual gala dinner was a spectacle in its own right

Above Crispy squid with spicy salt by Chan Yan-tak of Lung King Heen (Photo: Calvin Sit)

Above Stewed beef brisket in chu hou sauce by Cheng Kam-fu of Celebrity Cuisine (Photo: Calvin Sit)

This year’s First Initiative Foundation gala dinner posed a unique challenge, as it was sandwiched between the unveiling of real fossilized skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex in the atrium of IFC Mall, and the Hong Kong premiere of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

“Because the dinner was in the middle of the unveiling and the movie, I wanted it to have quite a casual atmosphere and feel like a family dinner,” Michelle Ong explains. “So we decided we should have a lazy Susan in the middle and serve classic Hong Kong family food.”

Above Roast goose from Kam’s Roast Goose (Photography: Calvin Sit)

Above Delicious treats from Lung King Heen (Photography: Calvin Sit)

Each lazy Susan was laden with the best of local cuisine, including crispy fish skin coated with salted egg yolk from Lung King Heen, salt-baked chicken from Sang Kee, braised beef brisket from Celebrity Cuisine, and roast goose from, naturally, Kam’s Roast Goose.

Afterwards, guests were treated to petits fours by Jeffery Koo that came encased in rugby ball-sized chocolate dinosaur eggs dramatically cracked open at the table.

As if that wasn’t enough, Milk Top ice cream created an FIF-branded cup of sea salt caramel bits ice cream for guests to take to the cinema.

“I’ve always loved all of these restaurants and have been going to them for years,” Michelle says. “It was fantastic to have some of the best food Hong Kong has to offer all in one place.”

Learn more about the First Initiative Foundation's annual gala fundraiser.

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Events Food first initiative foundation Dining

Tatler Asia

A Local Twist: Inside The First Initiative Foundation's Delicious Annual Gala Dinner