What to do on International Women’s Day in Hong Kong

This March, Women’s Day arrives in Hong Kong, with an array of events on offer that celebrate empowering women. From culinary feasts to networking socials, we’ve rounded up the best places to celebrate and show your support.

Be Bold: International Women’s Day 2017

Join speakers and thinkers at Azure Restaurant for an evening of stories and tales of bravery brought to you by Liberty Asia. Wine and canapés are included with the ticket and all proceeds from the event will be donated to help support anti-slavery projects.

Monday 6 March from 6.30pm; Azure, 33 Wyndham Street

Click here for more information.

Mrs. Pound and Benefit IWD

Mrs. Pound and Benefit have teamed up to celebrate the day with an evening of cocktails and food from Mrs. Pound’s new ‘Fire Rooster’ menu. Ladies will enjoy a complimentary eyebrow wax plus a mini makeover, and the first 50 guests will be treated to a free Benefit makeup goody bag.

Wednesday 8 March from 6pm; Mrs Pound, 6 Pound Lane

Click here for more information.

Women at Sea

An insightful and inclusive talk, Women at Sea aims to tell the stories of the powerful women behind Hong Kong’s maritime successes. The evening will look back at how women have contributed to the industry, as well as celebrate recent achievements.

Wednesday 8 March from 6.30pm; Hong Kong Maritime Museum

Click here for more information.

Women’s Five

An event that’s for a good cause and keeps you fit sounds too good to be true but the Women’s Five run is that and more. Included in your registration fee is a five week running and yoga programme that culminates in a fun event when hundreds of women join forces to complete the ‘journey.’ Part of the proceeds goes to local women’s charities.

Saturday 1 April from 7.45am; Aberdeen Country Park

Click here for more information.

Swire Women of Wine Festival

Treat you and your girlfriends to a night of wine sampling at the Swire Women of Wine Festival. Well-known Hong Kong restaurateurs and wine experts will be in attendance and there will also be mini-workshops so you can hone your vino skills to perfection.

Friday 10 March from 5pm; HKGCC Chamber Theatre

Click here for more information.

Text: Siobhan Brewood-Wyatt

Seafood sensations: Must-try dishes from Cé La Vi’s new spring menu

Asian Fusion restaurants are a dime a dozen in Hong Kong, and as such, it takes a truly special mingling of flavours and ingredients to tantalise the tastebuds and keep diners coming back for more. A nice view of the city skyline doesn’t hurt, either.

Located on the rooftop of the California Tower in Lan Kwai Fong, Cé La Vi has managed to do both. The restaurant, which opened in Hong Kong about a year-and-a-half ago following the success of its Singapore and Bangkok locations, just unveiled its new spring seafood menu. Ideal for sharing among friends, each dish is elegantly plated and made from the freshest ingredients. There is also an emphasis on healthy ingredients, including more gluten-free dishes.

These innovative creations come courtesy of Korean-American executive chef Kun Young Pak, who trained as a sushi chef from the age of 17. He finds inspiration not just in Japanese dishes, but also in Korean and modern Asian cuisine.

Here are a few must-try dishes from the spring seafood menu:

Tai Sashimi

The Tai Snapper, or sea bream, is the star of the show in this dish. Sliced impossibly thin, the fish is so succulent it seems to melt in the mouth. Chef Pak used techniques he learned while working at Japanese restaurants to create this flavourful dish, which is topped with a yuzu soy gelée, and served with crispy leeks and sesame soy.

Seasonal Seafood Poké

In what resembles an Asian-inspired taco, slices of fresh fish are mixed with a medley of vegetables, which can be scooped onto a crunchy cracker and eaten with your hands. The type of fish varies from month-to-month, but the poké (raw fish salad) often includes farm-raised Japanese tuna, salmon and white fish. This dish is light and refreshing, but far from boring.

Blackened Miso Salmon

This delightful dish was inspired by chef Pak’s memories from Louisiana, a region renowned for its Cajun and Creole cuisine. The Norwegian salmon is marinated for six hours, coated in a mixture of paprika and spices, and pan-seared just long enough to give the top a thin black layer, giving it a deepened flavour. The blackened flavour pairs perfectly with the garlicky mascarpone cream served on the side.

Chocolate Trio

Gluten-free diners (and chocolate lovers) rejoice: This dessert is completely safe to eat. But for those who shrink away from any mention of ‘gluten-free,’ fear not – it’s just as delectable without flour. This sponge cake contains Madagascan chocolate with caramel chocolate, vanilla and white chocolate mousse. Calamansi cream lends a refreshing citrusy flavour to the dessert, and the cake is topped with chocolate ganache.

Text: Emily Petsko

British jeweller Annoushka opens flagship Hong Kong store

Few people know that renowned jewellery maker Annoushka Ducas designed her first piece of jewellery – her very own engagement ring – while living in Hong Kong in the late 1980s. It was here that she discovered her passion for the fine art of haute joaillerie, which ultimately inspired her to create her own brand, the eponymous Annoushka, in 2009.

So it is only fitting that the jewellery designer has just opened her first boutique in Hong Kong. Situated in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Central, the flagship boutique is also Annoushka’s first location in Asia.

To mark the special occasion, Annoushka released an exclusive pair of Jade Flamenco Earrings in 18-carat white gold with diamonds. The fan shape of the earrings mirrors the hotel’s logo, and was also inspired by the sensuality and movement of the Flamenco dance.

Ducas was awarded the prestigious Member of the British Empire medal (MBE) in 2012 for her contributions to the jewellery industry.

Her pieces have been worn by a myriad of celebrities, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Adele, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez and Gigi Hadid. Even the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, and the Queen of Jordan, Rania Al-Abdullah, have been spotted wearing bespoke pieces by Annoushka.

Holiday Inn Golden Mile hosts star-studded event for new-look lobby

The Holiday Inn Golden Mile in Tsim Sha Tsui has unveiled its new-look lobby to bring the hotel into a new era.

Created by Design Worldwide Partnership, the makeover has turned the lobby into a bright, vibrant and extremely inviting space.

One major change that is instantly identifiable is the removal of the grand staircase and the expansion of the lobby space, which now includes a lounge and activities area for guests waiting to check-in.

Along with the calming colours, the twisting lighting feature — inspired by the legendary dragons of Hong Kong — added a touch of class and grandeur.

Numerous celebrities and renowned glitterati of Hong Kong attended the event, including actor Michael Wong, actress Candy Lo and Aron Harilela, chairman and CEO of Harilela Hotels Hong Kong.

The new-look lobby is the final step in a series of renovations the hotel has made over the years as they previously refurbished their 621 rooms, three restaurants and bar to infuse Chinese and Hindu culture as the designs were based on traditional Feng Shui and Hinduism.

Bentley’s Mulsanne range: The perfect mix of grace and power

The Mulsanne range from Bentley, comprising of three distinct models, is a combination of elegance and raw power.

With each individual car built at the company’s state-of-the-art factory in Crewe, England, the Mulsanne will be nothing short of high-class.

For those who like to ride in style, you will fall in love with the Mulsanne’s leather interior. Individual preferences can also be taken into account as there is a choice for the seats to be either fluted or quilted.

Bentley also offers 24 different hide colours and single or duo-tone finishes. Talk about being spoilt for choice.

Mulsanne

Simply put, the Mulsanne is the perfect integration of style and speed. With the aforementioned leather interior, the car boasts a 6¾-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine and is capable of hitting a top speed of 296km/h. Plus it has 1,020 of torque.

Mulsanne Speed

For those who like to gun the engine and get a thrill out of seeing the speedometer rise, there is plenty the Mulsanne Speed has to offer. Just look at its name for starters.

From its 6¾-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine to 1,100 Nm of torque, the Mulsanne Speed has an animalistic side to it beneath all the pristine outer components. In regards to its speed, the car is capable of going from zero to 100km/h in under five seconds and also has a top speed of 305km/h.

Mulsanne EWB

The Mulsanne EWB is the epitome of luxury on wheels as the car has an immense amount of legroom to give passengers a real feel of what it means to be travelling in style.

For those in the driver’s seat, don’t be fooled by this car’s bulky frame as it is just as fast as the Mulsanne model, with a top speed of 296km/h.

It’s time to stop wine-ing

Let’s face it, knowing which fine wines to buy, if you are not a connoisseur, can be quite difficult as it is hard to tell the difference between the bottles stacked up in front of you.

A lot of people look at the Italian and French wines and assume they are the best, and then move on to places like Australia and Spain.

But, after browsing, you still have no idea what you’re doing and which wines to get.

Worry no more as Hong Kong-based Adam Green has come up with a simple solution that will provide you with an instant answer about how good the wine is. Furthermore, it can all be done via your phone or computer through his website.

Not only does the website tell you every intricate detail about a bottle of wine, including the acidity, body, tannin, complexity and fruit flavours, but it also allows you to buy it should it appeal to you.

Explaining why he started this venture in the first place, Green, who moved to Hong Kong from the UK last year, said: “Our core aim was to provide an experience that was expert yet friendly and accessible as sadly it is common for the ‘stuffy connoisseur’ image to still dominate people’s perceptions of enjoying wine.

“We are absolute believers that wine is for any occasion and that there is a wine that’s right for every occasion and we want to bring that ethos to Hong Kong.”

Furthermore, since the big brands of wine are available at all stores and supermarkets, Green has opted to feature a plethora of smaller independent wine makers on his website, which will allow you to get a taste of something brand new.

“The backbone of wine production lies with small grower and producers often working land their families have owned for many generations and who make excellent wines which offer fantastic value,” he said. “With the way that the Hong Kong market is structured in terms of duty and taxes, it’s possible to bring in brilliant wines that won’t cost the earth – basically HK$100 should buy you a good bottle of wine, $200 an excellent one and $300+ something really special.”

If you’re interested in ordering in bulk, however, there is something in it for you as orders over $800 will result in free delivery and a 20% value back in credits that can be used on your next purchase.

For more information, visit the website: www.bottleshock.com.hk.

Ritz-Carlton’s chef’s table will leave you hungry for more

Dining is supposed to be an unforgettable experience, from enjoying the company of family or friends to experiencing mouth-watering cuisines from around the world.

But, after a while, eating out at the same places can get a bit monotonous.

This is where the prestigious Ritz-Carlton hotel comes in as, earlier this month, the hotel launched its chef’s table that creates a distinctive dining experience for guests.

The idea is spearheaded by Executive Chef Peter Find, who will feature dishes from different parts of the globe every month.

With Find hailing from Germany, naturally the first stop on his world food tour will be his home nation.

“The concept of the chef’s table is to present guests with an insider’s pass into the world of cooking. Guests will be able to see and experience the work and secrets that go into crafting the dishes we serve,” Find said.

“Through the dishes that we have prepared, we hope to share with the guests our passion for and the refinement of the culinary arts.”

Interested in what the Ritz-Carlton has to offer? Then just wait to see what’s on the chef’s table menu.

After the hotel sommelier shares tips on the best wines available, patrons will feast on their appetizer, which is a delicious brown shrimp salad with herbs and pumpernickel.

For the entrée, diners can pick from a number of items, including pork pâté with herring fish and Granny Smith apple, meatballs inspired by Koenigsberger, Klops and capers and German Schwabentopf and cherry.

And for those with a sweet tooth, the Kindheit apple and rice pudding dessert sounds absolutely divine.

To enjoy this unique experience, diners must book two weeks in advance.

A maximum of eight people can be seated at the chef’s table and the price per person is HK$2,000 + 10 percent.

For more information, call: +85222632263

Art meets virtual reality at ‘Love is Wild’ photography exhibition

Awethentic Gallery, Hong Kong’s first art meets virtual reality concept space, recently hosted a launch party for Lee Davies’ new photography exhibition, ‘Love is Wild.’

Click here to watch the video

Plays, jazz, dance, ballet — What to watch at Hong Kong Arts Festival

Fans of the arts are in for a treat in the coming months with a slew of events coming to Hong Kong, including the Hong Kong Arts Festival which runs until 18 March.

Launched in 1973, the festival showcases opera, theatre, music, dance and more by leading local and international artists.

During this year’s festival, over 1,700 artists from around the world will stage 180 performances, including 16 new works receiving world premieres and 14 Asian premieres.

With so many shows to choose from, picking which ones to see is a bit daunting, unless you have the time to see them all.

To help you decide, we have picked six standout shows to keep even the fussiest of theatre-goers happy.

All My Sons / Theatre

Directed by Michael Rudman, who directed the Tony award-winning play Death of a Salesman on Broadway, All My Sons is based on true events and revolves around love, guilt and greed.

Like Death of a Salesman, All My Sons was written by Arthur Miller and exposes the corruption of the American dream.

Set during World War II, the play is based around the actions of Joe Keller, a self-made businessman who knowingly supplied the US air force with defective engines, resulting in the deaths of a number of pilots.

The consequences of Joe’s actions come back to haunt him in later life.

Venue: Lyric Theatre, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

Dates: March 3,4,5,7,8,9,10,11

Terri Lyne Carrington’s Mosaic Project:Love and Soul/ Jazz

Do you like Jazz? How about love songs, R&B and soul classics? American drummer Terri Lyne Carrington heads a team of top jazz instrumentalists in a programme featuring all of the above.

Terri’s set features original compositions, along with homages to Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Luther Vandross, Bill Withers and more.

Terri has played with Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock, Al Jarreau, Carlos Santana, Joni Mitchell and Yellowjackets.

Venue: Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Dates: February 24,25

Emperor Wu of Han and His Jester Strategist/ Chinese Opera

With the tag line: “Behind every man of power is a man of wit”, Emperor Wu of Han and his Jester Strategist explores the relationship between Emperor Wu and the charismatic and quick-witted courtier Dongfang Shuo during the founding years of the Han dynasty.

The opera was written by Cantonese opera performer Loong Koon-tin, Lai Yiu-wai, and Chinese opera educator and actor Lau Shun.

Venue: Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall

Dates: March 4, 5

Arch 8 – Tetris/ Dance

A family-friendly performance, Arch 8 Tetris is based on the popular video game of the same name.

This dance performance, however, swaps blocks with human bodies, with four dancers from the Netherlands stacking, flipping and defying gravity to interlock their bodies into shapes.

The dance performance is interactive and audience members are invited to join in.

Venue: HKJC Amphitheatre, HKAPA

Dates: March 10,11

A Floating Family/ Theatre

A Floating Family is a trilogy of plays featuring some of Hong Kong’s brightest stars. The plays are based around three pivotal moments in the lives of the Wongs.

A Floating Family portrays four siblings and their extended family over three dinners in the course of two decades. The plays follow the family as they deal with political, economic and social changes in Hong Kong.

Venue: Theatre HK, City Hall

Dates: February 24,25,26. March 1,2,3,4,5,8,9,10,11,15,16,17,18,19

Bayerisches Staatsballett (Bavarian State Ballet) La Bayadère/ Dance

The Bavarian State Ballet makes its ﬁrst full-company visit to Hong Kong with this dance performance in an imagined ancient India.

Spectacular sets and gorgeous costumes evoke an exotic world in which colour and beauty abound.

Also, La Bayadère contains one of the most famous scenes in ballet, ‘The Kingdom of the Shades’ — a procession of white-costumed ballerinas dancing across a moonlit stage.

Venue: Grand Theatre, HK Cultural Centre

Dates: February 17,18,19

For more information on Hong Kong Arts Festival, visit: www.hongkongartsfestival.org

All photos from www.hongkongartsfestival.org

Written by Andrew Scott