Savor Hong Kong with Ian Wright and chef Christian Yang on TLC
Funny-man and perhaps best-loved travel presenter on British TV Ian Wright was in the country recently to promote his first food show where he learned to master the “art of doing nothing — but eat!”
Globe-trekking host Wright explores Hong Kong’s exciting food scene with local chef Christian Yang in
A Taste of Hong Kong, which premieres tomorrow, 6:40 p.m. on TLC (Sky Cable Channel 62).
Wright, a professional globetrotter who has seen (and eaten) practically anything and everything across Asia, admits he was overwhelmed by Hong Kong’s delicious sights and aroma.
“From 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., we did nothing but eat while filming the show! It was crazy. Though I prefer street food, I’m so impressed with the dishes served at The Chairman,” Ian enthused.
Located in a side street just off Queen’s Road in Hong Kong’s Central district, The Chairman specializes in traditional Cantonese dishes, but “they elevate them to a whole new level.”
“Even the purists don’t complain about it,” notes chef Christian Yang, a native of Hong Kong. He has trained in many Michelin-star restaurants across Europe before settling back to his motherland.
Not only are the meats served cured inhouse, the produce also comes from the restaurant’s own organic vegetable farm.
“Its superb ingredients and finely honed techniques allow the simplest of recipes to shine,” adds Christian who uses his culinary expertise in European culinary techniques to convey the iconic flavors of Hong Kong to the world’s foodie population.
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!
Aside from The Chairman, Ian and Christian shared some of Hong Kong’s best-kept restaurant secrets — from star eats to street eats and style eats — with food-loving Filipinos during the press launch of A Taste of Hong Kong held recently at the ballroom of Shangri-La at The Fort in Makati City.
The amiable chef even let us sample his own take on Hong Kong’s fish balls and egg tarts. Christian’s Bloody Mary-stuffed Fish Ball oozes with blood(- y Mary). Yes, that perfect brunch cocktail spiked with vodka, tomato juice and other spices. You have to eat it like xiao long bao. One wrong bite and you’ll end up with a burned palate.
“It’s best enjoyed with chili paste,” Christian adds. “The recipe of which I got from my grandma.”
Hong Kong is one of the top destinations for Filipinos going abroad. Two things pop into mind when one thinks of this former British colony: shopping and glorious food.
“In fact, many will choose Hong Kong as the destination for their first overseas trip,” notes Simon Wong, regional director, Hong Kong Tourism Board ( HKTB), Southeast Asia. “Let A Taste of Hong Kong serve as a delicious guide to your next gastronomic adventure in the land of dumplings and dimsum.”
Chef Christian loves everything about Hong Kong, especially its one-ofa-kind food culture.
“Its gastronomic landscape is like no other in the world,” adds Christian, who wants to create a pop-up food event as an ode to his hometown’s delicious fare.
In each episode, Ian and Christian will travel around Hong Kong to uncover the very best of a particular type of food — from local delicacies (ranging from the exotic to tasteful avant-garde) to Michelin-star bites.
Each of them will pick out a place they envision will fit the pop-up event, with the goal of dining on five to six dishes to be featured at the event.
In addition to the duo’s selections, Christian will flex his culinary skills by creating a unique dish inspired by his adventures with Ian.
“Join Ian and Christian as they hop on the iconic Hong Kong tram to uncover a tantalizing slew of local delicacies to gourmet eats,” adds Wong.
Watching the show’s teaser and just by listening to Ian and Christian’s food adventures made me want to pack my bag, follow their itineraries and try out all the places they visited on my next trip back to Hong Kong.
*** A Taste of Hong Kong is presented by lifestyle and travel channel TLC, in partnership with Hong Kong Tourism Board.