Diner’s Diary | Hong Kong chefs to celebrate life of one of their own, Pascal Breant, after Frenchman’s death in accident
52-year-old chef-owner of Alchemy, where guests dined in the dark, remembered as passionate, selfless, and dedicated to quality. Event will raise money to support his widow and son
Dedicated. Uncompromising. Amazing. That was Pascal Breant, says a former Hong Kong food industry colleague. Selfless was how his son described the chef and restaurateur who died suddenly this month, and whose life friends, colleagues and customers are being invited to celebrate at a charity buffet.
Organised by the Hong Kong Chefs Association, the stand-up buffet at Watermark in Central on February 8 will be prepared by chefs who worked under Breant and the Hong Kong culinary national team, with ingredients sponsored by industry partners. All profits will go to a fund set up for his widow, Jackie Chan, and son Nicolas, 18.
Breant, 52, died on January 8 after falling down an escalator at Shun Tak Ferry terminal in Sheung Wan. He was reportedly found unconscious and rushed to Ruttonjee Hospital, where he was confirmed dead shortly afterwards.
The Frenchman was the chef/owner at Alchemy in Central, part of the French Creations restaurant group, where diners ate gourmet dishes in complete darkness. The restaurant opened in 2014.
“He only looked to put smiles on customers’ faces,” says Nicolas. “He’s selfless – he never asks for anything in return.”