Hong_Kong_Tatler_September_2017

There are many parallels between the work of

a chef and that of a composer, the ultimate goal

for each being harmony and transcendence.

For this year’s First Initiative Foundation gala

dinner, there was not simply one culinary

maestro, but five, all working together to

create a masterpiece: Julien Tongourian

of Robuchon au Dôme, Alvin Leung of Bo

Innovation, Umberto Bombana of 8 1/2 Otto e

Mezzo Bombana, Chan Yan-tak of Lung King

Heen, and Cyril Dupuis of InterContinental

Hong Kong—all introduced on the night by

special animated videos by Framekit Studio.

Each of the courses was accented by fine

wines chosen by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts

director of wine Yohann Jousselin, who

effortlessly wove French, Austrian, Californian

and Italian selections into the gastronomic

composition. Each chef brought their best

game, with the dishes not only showcasing their

culinary prowess but also representing their

individual points of view. All were inspired by

the musical theme of the gala dinner, which was

titled World In Tune.

“Music inspires the senses,” explained

Umberto Bombana, who presented a duo of

French blue lobster accompanied by an Italian

bean emulsion and citrus oil. “If you look at

any form of art, it represents the people behind

it. If it is something we feel passionately about,

it comes out beautifully—whether it’s food

or art.”

Five top chefs and a leading sommelier were drafted in to create

a First Initiative Foundation feast to remember

MAESTROS OF THE KITCHEN

A FEAST FOR THE SENSES

From left: Yohann Jousselin,

Cyril Dupuis, Umberto

Bombana, Chan Yan-tak,

Michelle Ong, Alvin Leung and

Julien Tongourian

PHOTOGRAPHY: MOSES NG; SHOT ON LOCATION AT THE ISLAND SHANGRI-LA (CHEFS); PREVIOUS SPREAD: SHOT ON LOCATION AT THE INTERCONTINE

NTAL HONG KONG

240 hong kong tatler. september 2017