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  4. Simple yet sophisticated
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    05 March 2023
    Simplicity means appreciating the little things in life and therefore inevitably involves refocusing on the basics, which may take even more efforts to achieve. Taking the “Less is More” concept very seriously, a team of three, amid a prevailing trend for needless extravagance, has been committed to transforming RÚ at Nina Hotel Tsuen Wan West into a dining place refreshing diners’ taste buds, eyes, and hearts in one go.

    Farm-to-Table

    “The Hotel is a landmark in Tsuen Wan. So does our Cantonese cuisine,” said Nina Hotel Tsuen Wan West’s Executive Chinese Chef Edmond Ip while gazing the Rambler Channel out of the window. A rising star already making waves in the food industry, the young chef is best known for revitalising classic dishes with modern cooking ideas. “Cantonese cuisine demands a lot of basic skills and great respect for traditions, but having said that, we should stay open to new interpretation.” Putting the Farm-to-Table philosophy into practice, the restaurant sources locally to support domestic farmers, minimise cross- border delivery, and cut carbon emission. The concept of sustainability is manifested in finer details such as sourcing seafood in accordance with WWF guidelines, using hydroponic veggies as well as featuring plant-based menus. Green initiatives also include donating food waste to those in need via an NGO. Food, in Chinese culture, plays a unique role in strengthening interpersonal ties. Edmond hopes fine dining experiences at RÚ will form part of customers’ happy memories with their friends and families. “We not only enjoy good food, but also the jolly atmosphere.”

    Executive Chinese Chef Edmond Ip

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    A Taste of Harmonious Moment

    Renowned interior designer Norman Chan, known for his minimalist style, is among the trio that has made the transformation a success. “Where does good design come from? You must have a good idea in the first place. Just focus on what you really need and get rid of everything that’s not a must.” In alignment with the designer’s style, a single type of wood has been used throughout. You can’t find traditional table linen or unnecessary decorations here. “No extravagance and nothing fancy. If you take a closer look at the design elements, you will see that everything is harmoniously coordinated.” Minimalism means something more than a branch of interior design. It is an awakened approach to the environment. “From my point of view as an interior designer, ‘keep things simple’ is a major step towards the ultimate goal of sustainable development,” said Norman.


    Interior designer Norman Chan

    Finer Details Count

    The concept of simplicity was also upheld when Mountain Yam, a celebrity fashion designer in Hong Kong, redesigned staff uniform. “Customers come primarily for good food, so it sounds more appropriate for restaurant staff to stay subtle. Diners will appreciate the details when they look carefully at their new uniform.” While he strived to improve uniform appearance and its comfort level in the regeneration process, he also made use of old uniform and novel cloth cutting methods to reduce waste. The fashion designer views staff uniform from a new perspective because of its ability to bring about profound positive changes. While catering operations habitually use different uniform materials to differentiate job grades, a high-quality eco-friendly fabric has been used across-the-board at RÚ. “All staff work as a team. Using one fabric for all helps improve staff confidence and service quality,” said Mountain.


    Fashion designer Mountain Yam

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