Hong Kong Chefs Association

Established in 1991, The Hong Kong Chefs Association (HKCA), is a professional association and resource for professional chefs in Hong Kong, and the only professional chefs organization in Hong Kong that is a member of, and recognized by, the World Association of Chefs Societies(WACS).

Hong Kong young chefs club

In early 2007, the HKCA Executive Committee fostered the formation of a separate daughter organization, The Hong Kong Young Chefs Club (HKYCC). The HKYCC was established to provide a similar but independent forum for professional chefs under the age of 25. The HKYCC is currently one of only four such groups that is recognized by WACS. [http://wacs2000.org/aboutus/jcc-membercountry.php]

In June 2008 WACS President Gissur Gudmundsson appointed The Chairman of the HKYCC, Francis Lo, as a member of the WACS Board advising on future young chefs programs [http://www.wacs2000.org/news.php?id=2367] .

Community outreach & charity activities

One of the primary missions of the HKCA is to provide active support to the local and international community with charitable efforts and community outreach. In addition to normal fundraising and donation for international disaster relief, it annually fields teams of chefs to compete in the Hong Chi Climbathon, [ [http://www.hongchi.org.hk/climbathon/eng/prizeAndResult.html Hong Chi Climbathon ] ] provides judging and support for the Best Buddies Hong Kong Cookery Competitions, [ [http://www.fuhong.org/lang_eng/wn_hl.asp Fu Hong Society ] ] and on each International Chefs Day prepares two buffets for thousands of students of both the Hong Chi and Fu Hong societies. [ [http://www.hongkong-chefs.com/news_events/agm_dinner_charity/20071018International_chefs_day.html Hong Kong Chefs Association ] ]

Such charitable and community work has lead The Hong Kong Council of Social Service to award the HKCA the Caring Organization status for 2007-2008. [ [http://www.caringcompany.net/en_orglogo_list.php?year=2007-2008&startletter=t Caring Company ] ]

Competitions

The HKCA co-organizes and hosts several international culinary competitions including:
* [http://www.hongkong-chefs.com/enews/Newsflashfebruary2008/HKYCCspecialeditionnewsflash.htm#Norwegian_Seafood_Young_Chefs_Challange/ Norway Seafood Competition]
* [http://www.hongkong-chefs.com/enews/NewsflashMay2007/1stnewsflashMay2007.htm#California_Strawberry_Competition/ California Strawberry Competition]
* [http://www.hongkong-chefs.com/enews/NewsflashMay2007/1stnewsflashMay2007.htm#California_Raison_Competition/ California Raisin Competition]
* [http://www.hofex.com/event_es.html#event1/ The Hong Kong International Culinary Classics]

Aside from hosting competitions the HKCA consistently fields top teams in international culinary competitions. Some notable past events are:
*1996 Culinary Olympics in Berlin, where the HKCA team took 1st Place in pastry 3rd place in hot food and 3rd place as overall national team. [ [http://www.unichef.com/oly96_results.htm UniChef.com- Culinary Olympics ] ]
*2006 FHA Singapore The HKCA “Hot Tomato” team won both Gold and Best Gourmet Team. Team captain Angelo Mcdonnell went on to publish an award winning cookbook titled Hot Tomatoes. [http://www.fhaculinarychallenge.com/awardlist.pdf] [ [http://www.benjaminchristie.com/review/hot-tomatoes-by-angelo-mcdonnell Hot Tomatoes by Angelo Mc Donnell | Benjamin Christie Australian Celebrity Chef ] ]
*2007 Sapporo Snow Festival Hong Kong team wins Gold and Top Award. [ [http://news.opodo.co.uk/articles/2007-02-12/18058807-Hong-Kong.php Opodo travel news - Hong Kong dragon wins Japanese snow sculpture prize - 12 - February - 2007 ] ]
*2008 FHA Singapore, In an effort to promote diversity and equality, HKCA fielded Asia's first known all women’s culinary team. The team took a Gold medal and was First Runner Up in the Best Gourmet Team Challenge. [ [http://www.sesallworld.com/press_releases_10.htm Singapore Exhibition Services Pte Ltd ] ]
*2008 [Saporo Snow Festival] Hong Kong team is First Runner Up [ [http://www.snowfes.com/english/contest/index.html SAPPORO SNOW FESTIVAL 2008 ] ]

References

ee also

*Culinary Arts
*World Association of Chefs Societies
*American Culinary Federation

External Links

* [http://www.wacs2000.org/ World Association of Chefs' Societies]
* [http://www.hongkong-chefs.com/ Hong Kong Chefs Association]
* [http://www.hkycc.hk/ Hong Kong Young Chefs Club]