Community happenings in the “Zen Den”. Photo: Debbie Wong
The newest branch in SOHO features the “Zen Den”, a community space for their ever-expanding Tribe. It’s a cozy space with a low communal table and plenty of cushions. There, you can catch up on issues of ‘Positive News’, Bobsy’s newsletter, attend talks, screenings and Community events. Currently the Zen Den is closed due to Covid, but they’re looking forward to reopening soon.
Diet Change, not Climate Change – MANA! Mantra No. 5
The vibe at MANA! is lively and energetic, yet there is a quiet urgency to Bobsy’s message. For him, food is the ultimate vehicle to not only sustain and nourish ourselves, but to inspire conversation, awareness and ultimately, change.
As evident in his clever and powerful ‘MANA! Mantras’ and his other activist writings, words matter to Bobsy. I understand this deeply, language creates culture, and culture creates belief systems – Bobsy is intrinsically aware of this. Each word he utters and each decision he makes feels rooted in his purpose - it’s inspiring, to say the least. And with that, I will close with a few carefully chosen words from him:
“Winning the One Planet Plate Award was a good recognition for MANA!'s efforts in being zero-food-waste, zero-plastic, and eco-friendly over the last nine years. It was a prescient award to win because the award was directly connected to food and the planet, which has been fundamental to our effort at raising awareness and education about what on Earth is going on.
We sincerely hope that Food Made Good as a platform can help speed up the change we need to see across the F&B community in Hong Kong and the wider Asia Region. After all, restaurants have a moral obligation to be part of the solution and not to continue business as usual, sadly eating up our natural resources and filling up our oceans with plastic and waste. It's time for the F&B community to join the positive and proactive changes happening across the world.”
Debbie Wong is a professional cook, writer and classically trained actor based in Hong Kong. She is the host of Food Wars Asia, Kitchen Quickies, and her ongoing international culinary series on YouTube - Debbie Wong’s Wok and Gong. Follow her on all socials @ms.debbiewong.
This article was created in partnership with Food Made Good HK.