Special Feature | Let Us Be Your Strongest Support

published in enya Fashion Queen issue #174, find the original interview in Chinese here

With a nationwide level three lockdown going on for over a month, restaurant workers are all facing this drastic predicament. Regardless, many still choose to step up and help by delivering warm meals for all the hardworking medical workers on the frontline. Starting from June 1st, a devotee to charity, Janet Chia gathered numerous of her celebrity friends and over 20 restaurants. Together, they have visited different hospitals to deliver 100 meals everyday to support these frontline medical staff. Like a beacon in the darkness, our community comes together to protect these heroes in the pandemic and aspires to be their strongest, most heartwarming support.

An Original Manifestation

“See your own responsibility in the need of others.” This is what the owner of Rainbow Hotdog, Stephanie, always believed in. It also inspired her to turn all the donations from her previous charity project into Rainbow Hotdog meals that will be sent to the hands of medical workers, police officers and firefighters. Insisting on making healthy meals without using any processed foods, Rainbow Hotdog hopes to use food as a medium to spread their devotion and the kindness of all donors to the hardworking frontline workers. Like the rainbow that delivers blessings, Stephanie believes that love, encouragement and mutual protection are the only things she can do and will try her best to do amidst this difficult time.

Spreading Love and Kindness

After inviting Rainbow Hotdog to join her project, Chia did not hesitate to gather many others to help; the next day, Peng Yuan Gourmet & Banquet, a long-established Hunan restaurant, joined the project as well. In response to the pandemic and COVID-19 guidelines, Peng Yuan’s wedding banquet business is now temporarily on pause. Although they are unable to host any wedding banquets at the moment, they continue to make these dishes meant for spreading happiness and send them to the frontline, in the hopes of warming the hearts and stomachs of medical workers. Besides making visually pleasing meals that are rich in color and flavor, the chefs at Peng Yuan also made sure to use high protein and fiber ingredients that will provide sufficient nutrition and energy. They even added little notes on the bento boxes with messages like, “You guard our front line, we guard your stomach!” and “We will wear our masks properly so you can rest without it.” On each card, the lines are filled with warmth, appreciation and gratitude.

With Warming Intentions

Understanding when the medical workers are doing their jobs, the time and space for eating are very limited, Taipei Marriott Hotel specially asked their chefs to design meals that not only are heat resistant, but are also not overly soupy to ensure that the food is not inconvenient to have. Making sure the meals are nutritious and healthy, the chefs at Marriott decided to serve roasted chicken instead of deep-fried ones and stir fried tofu instead of ones drizzled in sauce, in the hopes of providing delicious but also convenient meals for these medical workers. Meanwhile, a long-time advocate for benefiting foundations like Shan Shui Foundation and R.O.C Child and Senior Care Association, Shanghai Shanghai also joined Chia’s charitable project. Taking the initiative by reaching out immediately, they hope that these delicious dishes can cheer these frontline heroes up and provide them with support, adding a touch of beautiful warmth amidst this difficult time.

Against the Current

Contrary to the usual bento style on the market, Stoned Kitchen combines a Western business model with the Taiwanese bento culture. Having recently just celebrated their one year anniversary, they are now facing the challenges of the pandemic. Despite that, Stoned Kitchen still joined forces with Chia without any hesitation. “We understand that a lot of medical workers actually don’t have time to get a proper meal or even take off their gowns just to grab a quick bite, so we felt like it was necessary to step in and help out.” Following their brand concept of finding the most “original” taste of Taiwan, Stoned Kitchen wishes to give back to society with what they have. Not afraid of getting infected and continuing to do what others are unwilling to do, they simply want to support these medical staff with action. As if channeling that initial belief when they first started their business, Stoned Kitchen expresses their gratitudes for these angels in white gowns with the purest conviction and practical actions.