1. 《LIFE+》Magazine
  2. 《LIFE+》Magazine Issue List
  3. Autumn 2022 Issue
  4. Reviving an Essential Missing Ingredient in Central
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    08 November 2022
    Every great city has a great food market, remarks the founder of chef’s Market, Angelo McDonnell. Sadly not Hong Kong though. Until now that is. The city lost its main forum for independent food sellers back in 2003 when Central Market shut its doors, with the following two decades witnessing a seeming obsession with luxury fashion and jewellery in the neighbourhood.

    Well, the artisans are back. Chef’s Market signifies a turning point in the gastronomic fortunes of Central. Dominating the ground floor of the beautifully reimagined Central Market, chef proprietor and fanatic foodie McDonnell has created a spectacular destination for those who appreciate quality, diversity, and provenance when it comes to eating and drinking.

    But this is no supermarket style shop. It’s a proper market, with real personality. What strikes you on entering isn’t just the massive array of products, it’s the energy that makes the experience so untypical of Hong Kong. The staff bring a vibrancy and enthusiasm that immediately entices you to find out more.

     

    A butchery counter, a seafood bar, patisserie, a deli groaning with dozens of salads and take away lunch options, fresh gelato, shelves and shelves of wines, spirits, sauces and ingredients; the choice is exhaustive. And many, you’ll not find anywhere else in Hong Kong.

     

    In a strong echo of Central Market’s previous incarnation, shoppers are guided by the knowledgeable staff towards selections of produce and ingredients to take home and easily rustle up into a delicious meal. And McDonnell has plans to offer instructional videos to guide budding chefs through the preparation process. So what’s the secret to assembling this extraordinary array of epicurean delights? Well, behind the scenes, Angelo has for the last 12 years run a highly successful business supplying the top chefs of Hong Kong with their daily fresh and prepared provisions. That means his diverse range of supplies are both responsible and sustainable.

    “People want to know where their food is coming from. So we work closely with our global suppliers, respected reliable companies that source only high quality produce with an understanding for the welfare of both people and animals.” said Angelo McDonnell.
    “For example, I’ve got a super company in Austria, up in the mountains, a union of 30 farmers all within a 30 mile radius, and all of our pigs come from there. There they’ve got enough space for the animals to roam, and this makes a big difference for us, given the quality of the product and the story behind it,” explains Angelo. All in all, this is a man brimming with enthusiasm.

    “I love this city, it’s given a lot to me as a chef, and I think there’s a lot more we can do. We need to make this Market just like they are in Europe; every counter with activity, more action. We’re going to do cooking demonstrations, pastry demonstrations, tastings, Serrano ham carving, showcases for local producers. I want this place to be in every guide book.”

    An hour with Angelo leaves one breathless and hungry for more, and we haven’t even started talking about his restaurant, Chef’s Cuts yet. It’s great to feel this vibe again in the city. This smiling Irishman is a dynamo, passionate about his craft, and evangelical about recreating a world class food market for our city. Just the kind of energy and optimism needed to propel Hong Kong back into a post pandemic world.

    Chef’s Market
    Store G04, G/F, Central Market, 93 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
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