“Care Food Cooking Competition” and Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit

Cross-sector collaboration elevates Care Food, improves dining quality for people with dysphagia

A rapidly aging population has prompted the development of the silver economy around the world. The 9th Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit (GIES), co-hosted by the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS), was successfully held at the end of November, attracting over 270 local and overseas exhibitors across four days.

Two major initiatives—the Care Food Wonderland exhibition and the Care Food Cooking Competition—highlighted efforts to promote Care Food and raise awareness of swallowing difficulties among seniors. The “Silver Summit” was also held during which experts from Mainland China, Hong Kong and abroad explored the development prospects of Hong Kong’s silver economy.

Care Food Wonderland: An interactive experience

Themed “Care Food Wonderland”, the exhibition featured interactive zones including Care Food Restaurant Zone, Product & Service Booth Zone, Academic & Partner Booth Zone, and Future Hub. Cooking demonstrations and seminars were organised to promote the nutrition and safety of Care Foods.

“We hope to let the public know that Care Food allows people with dysphagia to eat with dignity, joy and safety.” said Jim Cheung, Manager of Solutions Hub, Co-creation, HKCSS. He added that Care Food has been flourishing over the years, thanks to the support of strategic partners and sponsors Kerry Group and ZeShan Foundation.

CMA Testing showcased the “Greater Bay Area Care Food Standards” that it helped to develop. According to the Senior Manager of Corporate Certification and Project Division Joseph Chiu, the standard provides a unified framework applicable across the Greater Bay Area, helping enterprises, users, and caregivers maintain consistency in Care Food preparation and application, thereby strengthening Care Food’s role in the aged care industry.

Care Food Cooking Competition: A platform for domestic helpers learning Care Food

The 2025 “Care Food Cooking Competition,” themed “The Flavor of Memories,” challenged participants to adapt beloved dishes into nutritious and safe “Care Food” for individuals with swallowing difficulties, helping them rediscover the joy of eating.

This year, domestic helpers took the stage and they blended their experience, culture and love in their dishes. The competition received support from the Chinese Culinary Institute and the International Culinary Institute, with seven student chefs providing training and competition preparation assistance to finalists.

“We hope to integrate Care Food into the community and are pleased to see growing recognition from stakeholders advancing its development,” said the  Hon. Grace Chan Man-yee, Chief Executive of the HKCSS. “Our goal is to help individuals with diverse needs to enjoy quality food. Together, we can bring positive impact to society.”

The competition was supported by the Consulates of the Philippines and Indonesia. Romulo Victor M. Israel Jr., Consul General of the Philippines, highlighted food as a key bridge for cross-cultural exchange, thanking HKCSS for including Filipino domestic helpers and encouraging more activities to foster community integration. Meanwhile, Zivya Syifa Husnayain, Vice Consul for Information, Sociocultural of the Indonesian Consulate, expressed hope that participants would share their learning back home, promoting knowledge exchange and care culture.

Silver Summit: Cross-sector collaboration framework

The Silver Summit, themed “Building a Vibrant Gerontech & Silver Economy Ecosystem: Shared vision for Local, GBA & International Development” brought together approximately 300 government, business, technology, healthcare, and social welfare representatives both online and offline.

The HKCSS hopes that through this cross-sector exchange platform, stakeholders can build consensus and take coordinated action to integrate government policy, industry innovation, and social welfare expertise, creating an inclusive and vibrant silver economy ecosystem centred on seniors’ needs.

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