Your Voice: Sustainable cooking, gearing up for DSE results, helping Hong Kong’s homeless and the climate crisis

The ESF Chef Competition was held at Renaissance College HK (RCHK) on May 31. This year’s theme, sustainability, challenged the aspiring chefs to create dishes that looked and tasted good and were mindful of our fragile environment.

In an era of climate change, characterised by melting glaciers, droughts and wildfires, the competition presented an opportunity for students to leverage their culinary skills as a tool for positive change. With processed foods increasingly linked to health issues, participants were encouraged to utilise locally sourced and seasonal ingredients to limit the meal’s carbon footprint.

Aside from calling for sustainable practices, the competition also served as a creative outlet for the chefs. Many students use cooking as an escape from exam pressure, and the Covid-19 pandemic saw a massive boom in cooking as more people turned away from their home offices into their kitchens. Shows like MasterChef and Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars have inspired students to switch from familiar cuisines to more adventurous culinary creations.

The 2024 ESF Chef Competition featured four junior finalist teams and five senior finalist teams. These 13 budding culinary artists had to create a restaurant-quality menu with appetisers, a main dish and a dessert. Menu choices also had to cater to different dietary needs, from vegan and vegetarian dishes to gluten-free and pescatarian meals.

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A panel of judges reviewed each menu, including Kyle Lee, the executive chef at Honjokko, and Stephan Joubert, the executive chef at Tokyolima. Also among the experts were Jakki Phillips, a former food critic for Tatler Hong Kong, and John Turner, a secondary curriculum adviser at ESF. Judges were astounded by the students’ creativity and the variety of dishes.

Ritsika Chotwani and Caia Tam, a pair of Year 8 students from RCHK, were announced as the junior category winners for their mouthwatering marinated seared scallops and decadent cinnamon cobbler. Denise Lau and Zurie Mau, also Year 8 pupils from RCHK, were the junior runners-up for their baked succulent mushrooms and apple crumble. Their dedication and hard work were truly commendable.

Winning the senior category was Rylee Farnen from King George V School, who impressed the judges with a beautiful hoisin duck ravioli with roasted butternut squash and a delicious mango choux au craquelin for dessert. The senior runner-up was Candice Chiu from Sha Tin College, who created a tomato seafood pasta and tiramisu. Their achievements were truly impressive.

Chui Pui-ling, Maryknoll Fathers’ School

July marks the end of an era for those who took this year’s DSE exams. As we face our results, I want to offer some advice to my fellow students.

First and foremost, it’s important to remember that while exam results are a significant part of our academic journey, they are just a snapshot of our performance at a specific moment. Exams primarily test our ability to recall and apply knowledge in a structured setting, but they don’t fully represent our skills, talents, and potential. You’ve gained a wealth of experience that can’t be captured in a single exam, but you can use it in other ways.

Additionally, let’s adopt an optimistic attitude about our exam results. By doing so, we can easily accept them, regardless of whether they are good. You can take them without blaming yourself if they aren’t what you had hoped for. Always remember: don’t consider yourself a failure or judge your abilities based on your results; you still have endless possibilities! Stop blaming yourself. Instead of dwelling in self-criticism, view your results as a valuable learning experience. Doing so will pave the way for personal growth and development, and you become a better version of yourself.

Remember, exams are just a temporary validation. Don’t let your marks define you or leave you feeling empty. I wish you every success!

Kelvin Man, Wong Shiu Chi Secondary School

I am writing to express my views on how the Hong Kong government should address homelessness, especially concerns about hygiene and the public health issues the homeless face.

To address the problem and its causes, the government should support people experiencing homelessness and help them find work. In the long term, they may need subsidies to improve their lives. The root of the problem lies in their lack of sufficient income to improve their living conditions. The government should provide work training courses, such as cooking courses, security guard courses, driving courses, and more. This way, homeless individuals can acquire new skills and find employment to meet their basic needs.

Encouraging businesses to hire and provide opportunities for skilled homeless individuals could also create economic pathways. The public must also show empathy and respect for people experiencing homelessness. Treating them as equals and avoiding marginalisation will help boost their confidence.

Resolving homelessness requires concerted efforts from different parties, including the government, the business sector, and the community. I want to see a more harmonious society where everyone can improve their lives.

Winky Chan Wing-kiu, Shun Tak Fraternal Association Leung Kau Kui College

It is urgent to address the escalating issue of global climate change, which is increasingly impacting our daily lives. The last few years have seen unprecedented temperatures and devastating floods, serving as stark reminders of the pressing need for immediate action. As inhabitants of this planet, we all share the responsibility of tackling this crisis.

Let me explain the underlying reasons behind this phenomenon by highlighting some leading causes. Firstly, deforestation, which involves cutting down trees for purposes such as creating farms or pastures, produces carbon emissions. Trees play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, so their destruction limits nature’s ability to regulate atmospheric emissions. Secondly, power generation contributes significantly to the issue. The process of producing electricity often relies on burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. This results in substantial global emissions, with potent greenhouse gases trapping the sun’s heat and exacerbating the problems above.

Despite the growing scale of the climate change problem, individuals can still make a significant difference. Even in the absence of sufficient government action, your choices matter. Opting for public transportation, walking, or biking instead of using private cars, and choosing energy-efficient appliances are all impactful steps. These seemingly small actions, when taken collectively, can lead to a substantial reduction in carbon emissions and environmental damage. As Neil Armstrong once said, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Global climate change is a challenge that requires collective effort and solidarity. We must stand together and fight to address this crucial issue.