CookSmart (14th Issue) Page36

Celebrity Pick

Hilda LEUNG

Where Beauty and Gourmet Meet

Hilda LEUNG, whose family is in the restaurant business, has been well versed in the art of eating since she was very young. While attending university in Canada, she took part in the Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2008. After the event, she resumed her studies, and decided to pursue a career in cooking. In 2010 she founded a catering service company, and is now a recipe writer, a columnist and a cooking instructor. She also appears in TV food programmes.

When signing up for the Miss Hong Kong Pageant, Hilda stated on the application form that her ambition was “to promote a healthy eating culture”. Three years later, Hilda began to make her dream come true.

How did you start your career in the food industry?

“My grandmother, a native of Chaozhou (Chiu Chow), is very good at making traditional Chaozhou dishes. She taught me how to cook, and shaped my interest in food and cooking. Yet my parents, who know that being a professional chef is really hard work, did not approve of my aspiration. Nevertheless, I was so fond of cooking that I watched a lot of TV food programmes and read many cookbooks while living in Canada. I also tried out my skills and made a few cooking videos, which were uploaded to video sharing sites. After graduation, I completed a baking course in Hong Kong and worked in a few local restaurants to learn about the restaurant industry. Just like my colleagues, I started with the basics: washing dishes, mopping the floor and making coffee.”

Why did you choose to pursue a career in cooking?

“At first, I just wanted to share my love for cooking with others. Later, I learned bread and pastry making from a Swiss chef, who had a passion for cooking; eventually I decided to pursue a career in cooking. Afterwards, I worked in a local restaurant, where on one occasion I was so surprised to be complimented by the senior management for only the effort I took to clean the floor. All of a sudden I realised that hard work gave reward. I am now attending coaching sessions with an experienced cook to make my fundamental cooking skills perfect.”