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The Italian Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong and Macao in collaboration with the Food and Beverage Committee and the Italian Young Professionals Committee is pleased to present the Breakfast Talk Series: "Shaping the Future of Dining: Insights from Hong Kong's Food and Beverage Industry Leaders", a panel discussion featuring leaders in the Food and Beverage industry in Hong Kong. The experts will discuss the challenges faced during the pandemic, the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, and the current trends in the food and beverage industry in Hong Kong. They will also share their thoughts on the future of dining, the role of innovation and sustainability in the industry and share examples of how they have implemented new ideas and technologies in their businesses and the growth and expansion opportunities.
The event will also include a Q&A session.
The panel will host experts across different sectors to provide an interdisciplinary approach to the topic:
- The Impact of COVID-19 on the Food and Beverage Industry: The panel will explore the challenges faced by the food and beverage industry during the pandemic and how they were able to adapt and innovate. They will delve into the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, covering topics such as changes in consumer behaviour, supply chain disruptions, and new safety measures. They will also shed light on the opportunities that have arisen from the pandemic, offering a comprehensive overview of the current state of the industry.
- Current and Future Trends in Food and Beverage: The panel will share their thoughts on the current trends in the food and beverage industry in Hong Kong and how they are adapting to them. They will discuss their vision for the future of dining in Hong Kong, including trends in food, service, and technology. The panel will also share their insights on how the industry can adapt to changing consumer preferences and expectations.
- Starting a Business in the Current Market: The panellists will offer insights into their own experiences of opening a restaurant or bar in Hong Kong during and after the pandemic. They will delve into the challenges and opportunities faced when starting a new business in the current market, providing valuable lessons and inspiration for others considering a similar venture.
- Expansion and Innovation in the Food and Beverage Industry: The panellists will discuss the importance of innovation in the food and beverage industry and share their own experiences. They will discuss the role of technology in enhancing the customer experience and share their perspectives on growth and expansion opportunities in Hong Kong's food and beverage market. Additionally, the trend and opportunities of novel foods and meat substitutes will be discussed, providing a comprehensive overview of the current landscape and future outlook of the industry.
* Please be advised to arrive 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the event for registration
Terms and Conditions:
- All guests should be required to register at the entrance of the Cheung Kong Building in the guest list to enter the building.
- Reservations in advance are required. Please consider your booking confirmed unless notified otherwise.
- Cancellations must be provided in writing to: icc@icc.org.hk at least 4 days prior to the event. No shows will be charged.
- This event is closed to the media.
- By attending this event, you agree to be photographed, recorded, and/or filmed and give permission to use your likeness in promotional and/or marketing materials.
- The event will be cancelled if the No.8 Typhoon Signal (or above) or the Black Rain Storm Signal is hoisted.
- For further information, please email icc@icc.org.hk
Speakers
Alex Bellafronte
Operations Director, Asia and Middle East, Aqua Group of Aqua Restaurants Group
More Information
Alex
Bellafronte
Operations Director, Asia and Middle East, Aqua Group of Aqua Restaurants Group
Alex Bellafronte takes the helm as Aqua Restaurant Group’s Director of Operations in Asia and Middle East. He has more than 20 years of experience in the F&B industry including radically driving Zuma as Operations Director in Asia with three new restaurant openings and locations across Rome, London, Dubai and Hong Kong. Prior to Zuma, Alex was managing a grand collection of famed Gordon Ramsay for three years and Aubaine Restaurants in prime London locations.
Now at, Aqua Restaurant Group Alex leads a talented team of culinary experts who are always on the hunt for excellent produce and find inspiration in other cultures and future trends. In under one year, he has been pivotal at championing five restaurant openings, including the impressive relocation of aqua and Hutong flagships to H Zentre in Tsim Sha Tsui. The two most recent projects are close to his Italian roots - good honest Italian Cantina in the historic grounds of Tai Kwun and Vista by the porto on the top floor of the iconic One Peking building in Tsim Sha Tsui with the best views Hong Kong.
Antimo Maria
Merone
Executive Chef, Co-Owner at Estro
A proud Naples native, Antimo Maria Merone is among the vanguard of chefs rewriting the rules of Italian cuisine. Chef Merone comes from a farming family and learned at a young age to appreciate the flavours of fine Italian ingredients. From Berlin’s Vai Mó to ALMA in Parma under the legendary Gualtiero Marchesi, Antimo earned his stripes at some of the world’s finest restaurants. The opening of L’Altro in Hong Kong brought him to Asia, which quickly achieved a Michelin star. Soon after, he joined Umberto Bombana’s 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo in Macau as Executive Chef, where he led the kitchen for six years and also earned a Michelin Star.
In 2021, he opened his first restaurant Estro in partnership with JIA Group. Dedicated to elevating Neapolitan cuisine through modern cooking techniques, Estro's refined tasting menus draw inspiration from Antimo’s homeland, with each dish evoking rich memories of his ancestors, history and childhood. Bringing a global perspective to regional cuisine, Estro acknowledges Antimo’s Neapolitan roots while showcasing his innate creativity and progressive style. Estro is a MICHELIN-recommended restaurant and a new entry to the Tatler Dining by Hong Kong Tatler’s Top 20 most impactful restaurants of Hong Kong.
Lorenzo
Antinori
Founder and Managing Director of Endless Edge Consulting
Lorenzo Antinori is the founder of Endless Edge, a Food and Beverage consultancy in Asia. Endless Edge provides solutions and new opportunities for F&B businesses with a creative and innovative approach. Lorenzo has been a leader in the Hong Kong bartending community since 2019, when he became Beverage Manager at the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong. He led ARGO at Four Seasons Hotel, which ranked #3 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars and #28 on World’s 50 Best Bars in 2022. Prior to ARGO, he elevated the cocktail program at Caprice Bar to #34 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars and #10 in 2021, and was named "Hong Kong’s Best Bartender" by Timeout Magazine in 2020. Lorenzo got into bartending after studying law in Rome, later working at bars in Rome, London, and Seoul before coming to Asia in 2017. He is launching his own bar project in Hong Kong in April 2023, and is excited to offer a "disruptive", personalized service through his consultancy work at Endless Edge.
