Is food art? How Hong Kong creatives are bridging the gap
What happens when culinary creations meet artistic vision? From chefs to photographers and artists, a new wave of Hong Kong creatives are exploring the compelling intersection of food and art

But what similarities do food and art share, and why is the intersection between the two so compelling?

“Traditionally, food’s primary function was to provide sustenance and meet basic nutritional needs. By contrast, art was created for expression, communication and aesthetic appreciation,” says Natalie Leung, pastry chef at French restaurant Lala, which opened near Hong Kong’s SoHo district last month. “Both food and art have evolved over time to encompass much more than their original purposes,” she continues. “Both serve as powerful mediums for individuals to communicate and connect with others, enriching our lives in unique and meaningful ways.”
At their core, both food and art are forms of expression. Traditionally, an artist takes raw materials like paint and transforms them into a work that captures a scene, object or idea; in cooking, raw ingredients are turned into a cohesive dish that may express a culture or style, while also evoking memories and feelings.
“I believe that every dish is a form of artistic expression,” says Shine Chiu, executive chef at CulinArt 1862, Towngas’ contemporary Western restaurant in Causeway Bay. “Through the selection of ingredients, the design of plating and the combination of flavours, I aim to convey a unique sense of beauty and emotion. Just as a painter uses colours to create a painting, I use ingredients and cooking techniques to express my creativity and ideas.”

Visual artist Afa Annfa and food stylist Gloria Chung also believe in art and food as a means of expression, but they chose to expand the idea for their recent collaboration. Titled “A&G Boulangerie”, the exhibition focused on bread and butter, using food’s universal appeal to prompt viewers to consider new perspectives. “We aim to showcase the significance of bread and butter as more than just sustenance,” the duo shared in a joint statement. “We invite viewers to reconsider their relationship with these everyday staples, and recognise the beauty and depth they hold.”