Chef Olivier Elzer, of Hong Kong French restaurant Clarence, brings in his mum to collaborate on a four-hands menu of Alsatian cuisine

Chefs in Hong Kong collaborate often, but it’s rare to see one teaming up with their mum at a high-end restaurant. Olivier Elzer is doing just that at Clarence

The new menu runs until March 31 and showcases food from Elzer’s native Alsace, France, with dishes like goose foie gras and the highlight: his mum’s cheesecake

Reading Time:3 minutes

Olivier Elza with his mother Dorothée and sister Aurélie Etienne at Clarence in Hong Kong. The Michelin chef and his mum have teamed up for a new Alsatian cuisine menu. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Published: 11:15am, 5 Mar 2023

Chefs collaborate with other chefs all the time, whether it is a four-hands dinner when two chefs work together on a menu, or restaurant pop-ups where a concept takes over a restaurant for a limited time.

It is a chance for the kitchens to share ideas and learn from each other, or for chefs and restaurant owners to test the waters in a new city.

Imagine our surprise when we found out that Olivier Elzer, founder and executive chef of the contemporary French restaurant Clarence in Hong Kong’s Central neighbourhood, has invited his mother to be a guest chef for his Alsatian menu, which will run until March 31. Alsace is where he comes from.

“It all started with our discussions about creating monthly menus inspired by the different regions of France,” says Elzer. “When we decided to start with … Alsace, I knew I had to include my mother.”

Chef Elzer with his mother Dorothée and sister Aurélie Etienne at Clarence, in Central. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Unfortunately for Dorothée Elzer, this did not mean a month-long holiday in Hong Kong with her son.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x