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(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”.

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List of winners:

Press photos:

Photo 1:

The Excellence in Green Appliance Competition Award (Steam Cabinet) organised by Towngas concluded successfully. Distinguished guests, representatives from five major catering associations, and participating authorised agents gathered to recognise innovative green designs that enhance steam cabinet performance.

Photo 2:

Mr Don Cheng Hill-kwong, Towngas Chief Operating Officer – Hong Kong Business, noted that the active participation of authorised agents in this appliance design competition will help enhance the overall competitiveness of the catering industry.

Photo 3:

Guest of honour Mr Tommy Cheung Yu-yan, Executive Council Member and Legislative Council Member (Catering Functional Constituency), stated that the catering industry’s adoption of energy-efficient appliances will help reduce operating costs and carbon emissions, achieving a win-win situation.

Photo 4:

Mr Don Cheng Hill-kwong (centre), Towngas Chief Operating Officer – Hong Kong Business, presented certificates of appreciation to representatives from five major catering associations and HKPC, thanking them for supporting the competition and participating in the judging and certification process.

Photos 5 to 7:

Mr Tommy Cheung Yu-yan (centre, photo 5), Executive Council Member and Legislative Council Member (Catering Functional Constituency), presented awards to the three Best of the Best Steaming Performance Award winners. Among them, World Hope Development Limited’s steam cabinet features three independent steam generators and a forced automatic drainage system that reduces scale buildup, ensuring optimal cabinet performance.

Photos 8 to 10:

Another Best of the Best Steaming Performance Award winner, Ying Sun Environmental Technology Company Limited, incorporated gravity-sensing energy-saving functions into their steam cabinet. When the top compartment is detected to be empty, the steam inlet (highlighted by red circle, photo 10) automatically closes and the heat level reduces, lowering energy consumption.

Photos 11 to 12:

Chun Po Gas Engineering Company Limited added a smart device (shown in small circle, photo 12) to their steam cabinet, allowing users to remotely set timer-controlled shutdown via a mobile application to save energy. This innovative idea earned the company a Best of the Best Steaming Performance Award in the competition.

Photo 13:

Mr Sammy Kong Siu-kuen (centre), Towngas General Manager – Commercial & Industrial Marketing & Sales, presented awards to the eight Excellence in Steaming Award winners on behalf of the company.

Photos 14 to 15:

Towngas staff and authorised agents tested the efficiency and energy-saving performance of various steam cabinets under the supervision of representatives from the Hong Kong Productivity Council.

Photo 16:

Ms Margaret Wong Suen-ling, Towngas ESG Manager, introduced how Climate-Tech Energy Global Consultancy Limited, a subsidiary of Towngas, can help the catering industry achieve carbon reduction and efficient operations through various ESG consultancy services.

For media enquiries, please contact:
The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited

• Ms Kara Kwong Assistant Corporate Affairs Manager Tel: 2963 3497 / 6698 3357 Email: kara.kwong@towngas.com Mr Julius Chow Senior Corporate Affairs Officer Tel: 2963 3471 / 6969 1360 Email: julius.chow@towngas.com