Singapore-based social enterprise Dignity Kitchen proves a hit in Hong Kong
Singapore-based social enterprise, Project Dignity Pte Ltd, said that its recently opened hawker-style Dignity Kitchen has seen good business after opening in January.
Dignity Kitchen on the second floor of 618 Shanghai Street in Mongkok
Singapore-style local dishes at Dignity Kitchen
The kitchen managed by the disabled and disadvantaged is proving commercially viable in the competitive catering industry with fine quality of food and services, and at the same time provides a unique channel for members of the public to engage with the underprivileged as a social cohesion initiative, according to founder Mr Koh Seng Choon.
Dignity Kitchen is located on the second floor of 618 Shanghai Street in Mongkok, which is a newly renovated heritage building. It occupies the entire floor of over 6,900 square feet, including a food centre with a training room and a community centre for engagement activities.
Founder, Mr Koh Seng Choon, said that there are seven stalls in the food centre serving various Singapore-style local dishes such as Hainan chicken rice, laksa, claypot rice, nasi lemak, pandan cakes and more. It also provides training programmes on catering industry.
Mr Koh said, “Project Dignity is not only a platform for social engagement of elderly, the financially deprived, tertiary students and private sectors, but also a programme for the disabled and disadvantaged to rebuild life. We’ve been running our business in Singapore successfully for over ten years. We want to reach out to Hong Kong and replicate the model to share our experience here.”
He added, “Hong Kong, like many other economies, is facing a rapidly ageing population and huge government spending on social welfare. We hope to provide the unique solution to the city by offering training and work opportunities to the target groups, who include the physically and mentally challenged, socially disadvantaged and elders, so that they have the means to start a new lease of life.”
Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion, Dr Jimmy Chiang, said, “We are happy to see Dignity Kitchen building a foothold in Hong Kong offering not only superb Singaporean street food but also a commercially sustainable and socially meaningful concept providing a platform for members of the public to engage with the disabled and disadvantaged people.”
About Project Dignity Pte Ltd
Established in 2010, Project Dignity Pte Ltd is one of the early social enterprises in Singapore offering hawker training opportunities and creating work for people with disabilities and from disadvantaged background. Its mission is to help the disabled and disadvantaged people regain their place and dignity in society and work place through vocational training. For more information, please visit projectdignity.hk.
About InvestHK
InvestHK is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government responsible for attracting foreign direct investment and supporting overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services for overseas and Mainland companies. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
For event photos, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72157714483333821.
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