Give Back This Holiday Season with Cookie Smiles

Deck the halls with Cookie Smiles! The social enterprise is collaborating with twelve star chefs this holiday season with unique gingerbread creations, welcoming all to give back to the Hong Kong’s disadvantaged communities.

Celebrated Hong Kong chefs and Cookie Smiles are coming together to encourage people to give back this festive season. Each chef from this star-studded lineup has created their own spin on the classic gingerbread cookie, which will be available at a “Gingerbread for Good” popup from December 6 to 23 at leading luxury fashion boutique JOYCE in New World Tower, Central. Proceeds will go to ImpactHK and other charities supported by Cookie Smiles.

Franckelie Laloum and pastry chef Natalie Leung, Louise

Well-loved chefs and culinary experts taking part in this charity initiative include Ando‘s Agustin Balbi and pastry chef Joanna Yuen, W Hong Kong‘s Baptiste Villefranque, private chef Chris Ho (@ho_la_ho_sik), Mandarin Oriental‘s Robin Zavou and pastry chef Christophe Sapy, Louise‘s Franckelie Laloum and pastry chef Natalie Leung, The Continental, The Upper House’s Graham Long, Salisterra at The Upper House’s Chris Czerwinski and sous chef Chan Chun Fai, Amber, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental’s Richard Ekkebus and pastry chef Valentin Mille, Cassio‘s Salvador Benedicto, The Mira Hong Kong‘s Sheldon Fonseca, Shangri-La Group‘s Uwe Opocensky and executive pastry chef Julien Gourmelon, and Cookie DPT‘s Wil Fang.

celebrity chefs_Cookie Smiles Gingerbread

Explore the delicious holiday treats available, spanning from nostalgic flavours like W Hong Kong’s festive ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt “W Christmas Touch” and Ando’s maple syrup gingerbread man “Grumpy Mojo,” to tasty fusions like Chris Ho’s “Baijiu Five-spice Gingerbread Men.” Island Shangri-La’s “Gingerbread Nutcracker” and Mandarin Oriental’s “Mandarin Oriental Gingerbread Man” redefine the classic gingerbread cookie with chocolate and salted caramel respectively.

Robin Zavou and Christophe Sapy of Mandarin Oriental_cookie smiles gingerbread popup

Robin Zavou and Christophe Sapy, Mandarin Oriental

For chocolate lovers, The Mira Hong Kong’s 70% Dark chocolate cookie base with a classic gingerbread top “Happy & Festive Gingerbread Man,” Chef Salvador from Cassio’s snowman with coconut and milk chocolate “Snowy Gingerbread Man,” Cookie DPT’s rich chocolate red velvet and gingerbread “Red Velvet Ginger Bread,” and Louise’s “Delichoc!” a gingerbread man covered in a gingerbread flavoured chocolate and orange ganache, then dipped in milk chocolate, are bound to please.

Salvador Benedicto of Cassio_cookie smiles gingerbread popup

Salvador Benedicto, Cassio

Additional winter goodies available at the JOYCE popup include Amber, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental’s “XXL Dark Weiss Mahoe 70% Chocolate Glazed Gingerbread Man with Mikan,” Salisterra’s “Mr. Terra” with rosemary molasses and sea salt, and The Continental’s “Mr Classic.”

Richard Ekkebus and team of Amber at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental_cookie smiles gingerbread popup

Richard Ekkebus and pastry chef Valentin Mille, Amber

Sale proceeds will go to ImpactHK, a local nonprofit which helps people experiencing homelessness develop skills and find homes. Money raised will also be reinvested into Cookie Smiles to further support Splash Foundation, graduates and employees from Shine Skills Centre, as well as The Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association.