Dutch Excellence - Dutch Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong
Dutch Excellence - Dutch Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong
Dutch Excellence - Dutch Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong
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<strong>Dutch</strong> Bus<strong>in</strong>ess Awards 2013<br />
The Orange Tree restaurant<br />
W<strong>in</strong>ner <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Dutch</strong>cham <strong>Dutch</strong> SME Award 2013!<br />
We talked to Pieter Onderwater, Owner and Head Chef at The Orange<br />
Tree restaurant <strong>in</strong> <strong>Hong</strong> <strong>Kong</strong> about how he has managed to keep his<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>ess go<strong>in</strong>g and pr<strong>of</strong>itable over the years <strong>in</strong> such a tough market and<br />
what <strong>Dutch</strong> excellence means to him.<br />
z By Kristen Beattie<br />
How did you end up <strong>in</strong> <strong>Hong</strong> <strong>Kong</strong>?<br />
Whilst work<strong>in</strong>g on a cruise ship as a cook, I came to<br />
<strong>Hong</strong> <strong>Kong</strong>, really liked it and decided to stay. I found<br />
a job at the Jockey Club as a chef where I worked for<br />
a number <strong>of</strong> years.<br />
How long has the Orange Tree been <strong>in</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong> HK?<br />
We opened <strong>in</strong> September 1997 – it was the perfect time to set up<br />
my own bus<strong>in</strong>ess. We are located high up on the Midlevels<br />
escalator between Ca<strong>in</strong>e Road and Mosque Junction <strong>in</strong> Soho.<br />
What k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>of</strong> food does the restaurant serve?<br />
The restaurant serves high quality <strong>Dutch</strong> and Cont<strong>in</strong>ental food<br />
made with the freshest imported <strong>in</strong>gredients available.<br />
How have you managed to keep your bus<strong>in</strong>ess pr<strong>of</strong>itable<br />
<strong>in</strong> such a tough market?<br />
By be<strong>in</strong>g hands on <strong>in</strong> every aspect <strong>of</strong> the bus<strong>in</strong>ess, good<br />
communications with suppliers, landlord and staff helped us<br />
through tough times. The restaurant bus<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>in</strong> <strong>Hong</strong> <strong>Kong</strong> is<br />
highly competitive so it is not easy for a small ‘niche’ restaurant<br />
to run a pr<strong>of</strong>itable bus<strong>in</strong>ess.<br />
What does <strong>Dutch</strong> <strong>Excellence</strong> mean to you?<br />
Just try to do th<strong>in</strong>gs as well as you can.<br />
14<br />
What percentage <strong>of</strong> your clientele is <strong>Dutch</strong> or European<br />
versus local?<br />
We are very lucky that 50 % <strong>of</strong> our guests are local, that has<br />
always helped us.<br />
How did you feel about w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g the award?<br />
Long overdue! No just jok<strong>in</strong>g, I feel very privileged to receive the<br />
SME award, there are so many <strong>Dutch</strong> SME’s <strong>in</strong> HK, and it’s<br />
great publicity.<br />
Any plans to open another restaurant <strong>in</strong> <strong>Hong</strong> <strong>Kong</strong> –<br />
or even <strong>in</strong> S<strong>in</strong>gapore?<br />
Not at the moment, but if the Orange Tree has to close at its<br />
present location we will open elsewhere <strong>in</strong> <strong>Hong</strong> <strong>Kong</strong>.<br />
Orange Tree Restaurant<br />
17 Shelley Street<br />
Mid Levels<br />
<strong>Hong</strong> <strong>Kong</strong><br />
Restaurant@orangetree.com.hk<br />
Tel 2838 9352<br />
Fax 2524 0688<br />
Open<strong>in</strong>g Hours<br />
Daily from 6pm<br />
A private room is available for parties up to 20 guests
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