HONG KONG.- Tai Kwun — Centre for Heritage and Arts launched Let’s Do Lunch today, a new heritage exhibition that narrates the trend-setting lunchtime scene in Central and takes an in-depth look at how the district’s one-of-a-kind lunch culture forges unique social connections. Curated by Tai Kwun Heritage, with support from design partner ADO Design, editorial partner Alex Lai, illustrator Sandy Wang, and a group of veteran food journalists as research writers, Let’s Do Lunch runs from 20 December 2019 to 8 February 2020.

Let’s Do Lunch sheds light on the life of workers in Central outside their workplace, exploring the lunchtime habits as a window to understanding the socio-economic development of the Central community over the decades. Observing the district’s diverse network of culinary conventions and institutions, the exhibition presents a kaleidoscopic view of lives in Central.

At the exhibition, visitors will learn more about the evolution of lunchtime among different communities in Central, and how this reflects broader trends in Hong Kong — the earliest takeaway lunchboxes which cost just HK$1.8; the emergence of popular East-meets-West lunchbox cuisine like baked pork chop rice; the rise of the “power lunch” alongside Central’s own development into a major business district; the cultural and linguistic uniqueness reflected from within a fraternity association among many; and the human touches behind company lunch for employees as a kind of welfare at work.

Through interviews, videos and interactive installations, visitors can relive a journey that goes beyond the food on table. Heritage and food lovers alike mustn’t miss this unique look at the lesser-seen side of lunch, including the professionalism behind a delicate executive lunch set, the story of the first Chinese lunchbox, the efforts and mission behind a company lunch, and the unique bonding
and nostalgia in fraternity associations.

Let’s Do Lunch will also bring special events and collaborate with Tai Kwun’s tenants during the exhibition period. In collaboration with community partner CACHe, a Spring Banquet will take place on 31 January at Parade Ground. Other lunchtime-themed food experiences are coming soon in 2020, providing visitors an up-close-and-personal experience to the various dining cultures featured in Let’s Do Lunch. Tai Kwun tenants will also provide the exhibition-inspired experiences, including take-away lunchboxes at Bar at Armoury, “townsmen” lunch sets at Old Bailey, executive lunch sets at Madame Fu and The Chinese Library, and vegetarian lunch set at LockCha Tea House.

Let’s Do Lunch is the second chapter of the exhibition series “Lives in Central” from Tai Kwun Heritage, following on from Trolleys Central earlier this year. With two more exhibitions planned ahead, “Lives in Central” explores Hong Kong’s heritage via four essential aspects of life in Central — travelling (Trolleys Central) and eating (Let’s Do Lunch), as well as clothing and living.