Mandarin chef served up on platter for charity

Charitable souls with a nose for a good cheese board had a night to remember when The Landmark Mandarin Oriental hosted "Eat, Play, Love" - an event in aid of Mindset, a local mental health initiative.

Charity aside, the real star on Tuesday was Richard Ekkebus, the hotel's executive chef. He set out three food stations - an oyster bar, a feast of charcuterie and an over-the-top cheese display. That was on top of his signature finger food - foie gras lollipops, anyone?

If that was not enough, he even agreed to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, twice, with all proceeds, some HK$63,000, going to Mindset. That's not to be taken the wrong way. Ekkebus was offering seven days with him in the hotel kitchen, culminating in a cook-off.

"I'm a happily married man, so what I will sell is my know-how," said Ekkebus. "The person will go through every station with me, and then on the last day we will cook a full menu together."

Among other lots auctioned off were a private party for 30 at MO Bar and an intensive six-pack workout programme.