Our Story

Behind the white granite vault is a bunch of people wearing black uniforms working busily, with music and delicious smells filling the air – this is hc:Bistro, the new flagship social enterprise restaurant of Hong Chi Association recently opened in Tai Kwun, Central. The restaurant offers a real-life environment for people with intellectual disabilities to receive job training, placement and work opportunities, while promoting “good food for a good cause”.

From cooking in the kitchen, cleaning and waiting at tables, the Hong Chi trainees play a role in every workstation of this restaurant. John, one of the servers, happily prepares water for the guests as soon as they sit at their tables, this is especially appreciated among guests who are tired after visiting the museums nearby. Visitors like to enjoy a relaxing lunch as well as the historical ambience of the restaurant. “Hot coffee coming!” A cheerful voice from Jackie, another server, always puts a smile on the guests.

Let them fly
In the kitchen, the young men putting on black flat caps and aprons are Dave and Chi Keung. Dave has worked at Hong Chi’s social enterprise hc:Kitchen for years and was responsible for guiding the newcomers in receiving job training in the kitchen. Although Dave misses the team working at the central kitchen a lot, he bears in mind his trainer’s encouragement for him to be brave and to take up new challenges. Becoming a pastry chef has been Chi Keung’s dream since he was young. He has become the bakery chef’s right-hand man in a few years working at the social enterprise hc:Bakery, and was therefore invited to join the hc:Bistro team and assist in making delicious desserts for the customers.

The hc:Bistro team is all ready to celebrate the holiday season with the customers. Next time you visit Tai Kwun, please come and try out the dishes heartily prepared and served by the Hong Chi trainees, and share with them the festive season's blessing and encouragement. hc:Bistro is celebrating its 100-day anniversary in January, please stay tuned to the restaurant’s Facebook site for the latest promotions.