New Crown Pneumonia ｜ One-day business in the restaurant of Hong Chi Club in Taikan is low at RMB 455

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Written by: Ouyang Dehao

2020-05-31 09:00

Although the New Coronary Pneumonia epidemic has recently eased, the catering industry has been affected earlier and was hit hard. Hong Chi Association, serving the mentally handicapped, opened a western-style restaurant "hc: Bistro" in the main building of the old Central Police Station, and hired 10 people with intellectual disabilities as chefs and waiters.

As a member of the catering industry, hc: Bistro was also affected by the epidemic. The restaurant ’s single-day business had a low of more than 400 yuan. It could only rely on the charitable consortium to donate epidemic prevention materials generously. People with intellectual disabilities also lost their job training opportunities and had to stay at home to fight the epidemic. The epidemic situation in Hong Kong has improved greatly in recent months, and the restaurant has resumed business. In addition to obtaining the five-star hotel chefs to help cook, there are also Michelin 2 star Chinese cuisine executive chefs as voluntary consultants.

hc: Bistro has hired 10 people with intellectual disabilities and another 5 healthy people to assist them in their work. (Photo by Huang Baoying)

People with intellectual disabilities can either waiters and cooks Hong Chi Association hope to release public misunderstanding　

Walk through the mid-levels escalator in the bustling tall building, step into the pavilion full of classical architecture, and continue to pick up the ladder. Next to the lush tree, the scent of birds and flowers is the restaurant hc: Bistro where the Hongzhi Association hires people with intellectual disabilities.

Liang Yiyun, assistant business manager of Hongzhi Social Enterprise Department, said that at present, the restaurant has hired 10 people with intellectual disabilities, and another five healthy people to assist them in their work; the original intention of opening the restaurant is to establish a platform for people with intellectual disabilities to face the public . She believes that there is a misunderstanding among the general public, thinking that people with intellectual disabilities have low abilities and can only cope with simple tasks such as sheltered workshops.

But she corrects that as long as appropriate training and opportunities are provided, people with intellectual disabilities can also serve as waiters and cooks, hoping that they will eventually be able to find employment outside the home after accumulating experience in the restaurant. Therefore, even if it has recently encountered difficulties in operations, it has no plans to lay off staff and reduce wages.

Liang Yiyun (first from right) believes that there is a misunderstanding among the general public, thinking that people with intellectual disabilities have low abilities and can only cope with simple tasks such as sheltered workshops. (Photo by Huang Baoying)

Selling only a few meals a day is 90% less than before the epidemic

However, due to impermanence, less than two years after the restaurant opened, there was a new pneumonia outbreak. Liang Yiyun revealed that since the beginning of the epidemic, a single day's business has often lingered at hundreds of yuan, which was once low at 445 yuan. Compared with before the epidemic, the business volume fell by 90%, "100 mosquitoes per meal, 400 mosquitoes sold several meals a day."

However, the restaurant was not waiting for it. At the beginning of the outbreak, it launched a new price-reduction menu, increased food styles, and provided a mobile platform food delivery service, take-out 20% discount for take-away, etc. It also shortened business hours to save money. With the changes, the business can improve again, so that people with intellectual disabilities will not lose their job ownership.

Japanese espresso cheesecakes made by people with intellectual disabilities will be available for short-term sale at YATA in early June. (Photo by Huang Baoying)

Chefs at Shangri-La Hotel, Kowloon

Although the epidemic has no signs of containment and the road ahead is still difficult and difficult, Liang Yiyun is thankful that there is love in the world, and the restaurant is obliged to help by many kind chefs. For example, Liu Zhirong, executive chef (western cuisine) of the Shangri-La Hotel, Kowloon, and Ye Zhixiang, the executive chef of the 2 star Chinese cuisine in the hotel Michelin, served as voluntary consultants to assist the restaurant in designing the food package.

She revealed that the two will go to the restaurant to train people with intellectual disabilities in June. In addition to letting them learn a skill, guests will also be able to enjoy the food that the chef cooks at a low price. She also pointed out that Kong Zhixian, the executive chef (pastry) of Shangri-La Hotel, Kowloon, has also recently taught him how to make "Japanese-style extra thick cheesecake", and plans to sell it at the YATA supermarket in early June. "Before Hong Kong people went to Japan, they loved to bring two cakes back, and the family could easily buy the original one!"

Masks donated by large consortiums for anti-epidemic materials are available until the end of the year

Liang Yiyun continued that at the early stage of the outbreak, a large consortium that did not want to disclose its name learned that the restaurant was difficult to operate and could not even buy masks, so it gave away a lot of materials. "It ’s easy to remember that some people went to rob toilet papers, but the consortium ’s anti-epidemic package includes roll-up toilet paper, even rice! Classmates (persons with intellectual disabilities) do n’t make robberies, they are really disheartened. "" She also pointed out that, after being assisted by the consortium, the current stock of masks can be used up to the end of this year.

Staying at home to fight against the epidemic for many months and looking forward to resuming work "Do not make the housing enterprise dull"

Intellectually handicapped persons John and Jackie served as waiters at the beginning of the restaurant's opening. However, Liang Yiyun was worried about the risk of contracting the disease and responded to the government's call to let them stay at home to fight the epidemic. He didn't resume work until early this month. After many months of work stoppage, both of them were looking forward to resuming work. "I am so happy! I can see a lot of customers and I can make a plan, so as not to make the house business boring!"

John said that during the shutdown, he would occasionally go hiking and running to kill time, such as enjoying the scenery at the Changzhou North Overlooking Pavilion and the weather station. Jackie also added that he only takes off his mask when there are few people. After returning to their posts, they will take their temperature and prepare the table and chairs with 1:99 bleach before preparing for business.

Liang Yiyun believes that the working ability of people with mild intellectual disabilities is no different from that of healthy people, meaning that they only need affirmation and simple encouragement. She also pointed out that people with intellectual disabilities are loyal to their work and will continue to go to work if they are unwell, but instead teach her the spirit of dedication and professionalism. "If people from all walks of life give us a green light to support us and work for people with intellectual disabilities, we will rush out to build new restaurants!"

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