Fine French and Italian fare with elaborate dishes such as Roasted Beef Rib in Strawberry & Papaya Sauce served with baked sweet potato and grilled white eggplant, zucchini and cherry tomato, and La vie en Rose, a warm chocolate lava cake with dragonfruit and strawberry served on the side.

THE INNOVATION:

Gingko House is a restaurant that exists with the mission to offer employment opportunities for the elderly, whom with their rich life experience and patience, have the potential to offer an unique dining experience – one that encourages slow dining and relationships between the server and the customers.

Many senior citizens, especially upon retirement, face the issue of boredom and a sudden lack of a sense of purpose in their lives. A significant number of them are professionals who have held mid-level management jobs and who are uncomfortable with living off welfare or simply being idle, especially in their golden years. Others may be financially strapped and in need of a less physically burdensome job. Hence, Gingko House – a win-win solution – is set up specifically to address these issues by employing the senior citizens and at the same time, provide an unique dining experience for the diners.

BRIEF BACKGROUND:

Gingko House was set up by former social workers Roger Li and Elite Kwok, who saw a lack in quality care for the elderly in 1998. The funding for Gingko House comes from its parent company, Everbright Groups Limited, an enterprise which provides social services for the elderly including a home and a rehabilitation centre. Since Gingko House was set up in 2006, it has bagged several awards such as the Brand with a Conscience Grand Award 2008, the 2008 Hong Kong Awards for Industries and The HSBC Living Business Award 2007 (Diamond Award winner). Gingko House is also in the midst of launching their third restaurant in Mongkok that will serve Chinese food instead of the typical Western fare.

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