For some Hong Kong retirees, the advancing years have not diminished their appetite for work. Social welfare group Everbright Concerned Action is putting their enthusiasm to good use at a new eatery, called Gingko House, which is staffed by 15 retirement-aged workers. The restaurant, on Gough Street, follows the success of the original Gingko House, in Wong Tai Sin, which dishes up local desserts and snacks, and employs more than 30 elderly staff. The Central branch caters to more western tastes, with a French and Italian menu offering set lunches from HK$40 to HK$60 and dinner from HK$180 to HK$250. Behind the scenes is ex-Grand Hyatt chef Rico Ma.

Dishes include fried herb sole fillet with truffle cream sauce (HK$78), stone-grilled lamb steak with fresh mint sauce (HK$168), fried goose liver with honey apple (HK$88), roasted beef short ribs with herbs and red wine (HK$158), pan-fried silver cod fillet with mango and angel hair pasta (above right; HK$178) and French-style grilled lamb saddle with herbs (above centre; HK$178).

Everbright says the only requirement for the elderly job applicants, who help in food preparation and serving, is that they be physically fit. The charity plans to launch more eateries, with a branch in Sham Shui Po being the next in line. The scheme aims to alleviate the financial problems and loneliness encountered by the elderly.