(11 June 2025) Hong Kong’s catering industry is actively seeking change amid economic shifts and rising environmental standards. To support the local catering sector’s transformation and upgrading, The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) has held its first Excellence in Green Appliance Competition Award (Steam Cabinet). Award-winning catering equipment suppliers have used innovative ideas to further enhance the performance of professional appliances, supporting the industry’s shift towards sustainable development to adapt to changing business environments.
The competition presented 11 awards, including three Best of the Best Steaming Performance Awards and eight Excellence in Steaming Awards. The winning innovations, evaluated and certified by representatives from five major catering associations and the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), demonstrated excellence in energy efficiency, environmental innovation, and smart applications. Several winning designs have already been successfully implemented in local restaurants, achieving both energy savings and improved kitchen efficiency.
Among the highlights of this year’s entries was the “gravity-sensing energy-saving function” , which allows steam cabinets to automatically detect whether food is placed in the top compartment. When empty, the cabinet automatically closes the steam inlet and reduces heat, lowering energy consumption. A winning entry incorporated an automatic drainage system that effectively prevents scale buildup in steam cabinets, maintaining stable performance. Another award-winning project utilises mobile applications for remote timer-controlled shutdown, facilitating kitchen operations while conserving energy.
Mr Don Cheng Hill-kwong, Towngas Chief Operating Officer – Hong Kong Business, noted that the catering industry is a vital component of Hong Kong’s economy, and he hopes the appliance design competition will inspire suppliers to unlock their innovative potential and enhance the industry’s competitiveness and sustainability. “Towngas has always been committed to helping catering establishments sustain their businesses by providing high-quality and high-efficiency gas appliances. The appliance designs in this competition have demonstrated outstanding performance in efficiency and energy conservation, setting new benchmarks for the industry. Promoting sustainable development cannot be achieved unilaterally. Towngas sincerely invites all authorised agents and distributors to join hands with us in promoting the popularisation of innovative, green gas appliances.”
The awards ceremony was privileged to have Mr Tommy Cheung Yu-yan, Executive Council Member and Legislative Council Member (Catering Functional Constituency), as the guest of honour. He pointed out that the catering industry is facing challenges including economic weakness, the trend of Hong Kong residents travelling to and spending on the Chinese mainland, and high operating costs, and that adopting energy-efficient equipment can help the industry succeed despite adversity. “The catering industry is one of the most energy-intensive sectors. Restaurants that switch to energy-efficient and environmentally friendly appliances can reduce operating costs, achieving savings ‘dollar by dollar’, while improving kitchen efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. This helps industry colleagues continue to operate in a sluggish market, achieving a win-win situation.”
At the ceremony, Climate-Tech Energy Global Consultancy Limited, a subsidiary of Towngas, announced that it will provide comprehensive services to the catering industry – from data analysis and carbon emissions verification to developing emission reduction plans and green loan support. The company can also help raise staff environmental awareness through ESG training, helping the industry achieve low-carbon, high-efficiency operations.
This competition not only showcases technological innovation but also highlights opportunities for transformation in the catering industry. Looking ahead, Towngas will continue to organise a series of green appliance innovation competitions to promote Hong Kong as a “Green Gourmet Paradise”.