Hong Kong’s decades-old chain restaurants are implementing innovative strategies ahead of Mother’s Day, including a special menu for the elderly with swallowing difficulties and more flexible booking slots, amid an uncertain business environment.
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On Sunday, four Chung’s House branches under Tao Heung Holdings will offer special cuisines designed for individuals with dysphagia, or swallowing difficulties.
The set menu features nine classic Cantonese dishes, including dim sum and abalone, all of which meet international standards for dysphagia diets and are soft enough for the elderly to swallow easily.
This initiative aims to encourage families to dine out together and enjoy the experience as a group, according to the restaurant chain. It was developed in collaboration with The Project Futurus, a social enterprise advocating for soft meals for the city’s ageing population.
“We have heard a lot of people saying that they do not take their parents or the elders out for dining because there is no restaurant option, or if they take [the elders] out, the elders are going to be eating their own food,” said Chris Chung, the director of operations of Tao Heung Group.
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“But for occasions like Mother’s Day, it is very important for the elderly to feel included, to be part of the experience as well.”