Festival Vernissage: Social Gastronomy

A Feast for Social Good

In a city known for its fast-paced lifestyle, one event aimed to address a pressing social issue while showcasing the power of culinary creativity. Festival Vernissage: Social Gastronomy, organized by J.C.DISI, brought together celebrity chefs and grassroots groups to transform "less than perfect" ingredients into a "more than perfect" feast for social good. This unique event aimed to raise awareness about food waste reduction and rethink the value of imperfect ingredients.

Hong Kong, a prosperous city, faces a significant challenge when it comes to food waste. Surprisingly, over 3,600 tons of food are discarded daily, with half of it still edible. This waste takes up one-third of the city's solid waste landfill space. While several NGOs work on this issue, public awareness remains relatively low, and many people feel indifferent towards the problem.

Social Gastronomy sought to change that by showcasing how surplus food can be salvaged and transformed into healthy and delicious dishes. The event took place on the football field of The Hong Polytechnic University, which was transformed into a community kitchen with 30 cooking booths, a cozy dining area, and a living room. The design team carefully selected materials such as wood, steel, and ceramics to create a sustainable and environmentally friendly environment.

One of the highlights of the event was the participation of celebrity chefs, who demonstrated their culinary skills by creating dishes using imperfect ingredients. The event aimed to educate the public about the value of these ingredients and encourage them to reduce food waste in their own lives. To further promote this message, a cookbook featuring recipes and comments from nutritionists who participated in the event will be published.

Festival Vernissage: Social Gastronomy was not only a culinary experience but also a platform for social innovation. By bringing together chefs, grassroots groups, and the public, the event aimed to foster a sense of community and inspire change. The event received recognition for its outstanding design and innovation, winning the Silver A' Design Award in the Event and Happening Design category in 2015.

Through the power of food, Festival Vernissage: Social Gastronomy proved that even imperfect ingredients can create a perfect feast for social good. This event serves as a reminder to all of us to be mindful of our food waste and to find creative ways to reduce it.