HONG KONG — A theatrical experiment that blends live cooking with personal storytelling has concluded its successful 14-show run at the Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre, leaving audiences and performers alike craving seconds. “Taste of Memories,” a production by Hong Kong’s Windmill Grass Theater, wrapped on the evening of August 16, featuring actors Edmond Leung, Tom Tsang, Eliza Siu, and Lam Wing-fai preparing dishes on stage and inviting spectators to sample the results.
The show, which the cast described as deeply personal and emotionally raw, exceeded expectations, according to Leung. “What surprised us most is that the audience loved this more than ‘Memories of Hong Kong’ seven years ago,” he said, referencing the group’s earlier hit. “This time felt different because we wove in real stories from our lives and from the audience. There were moments in nearly every performance where the tears just came.”
A Recipe for Emotional Connection
Unlike traditional theater, “Taste of Memories” placed cooking—and the memories tied to each recipe—at its core. The actors prepared dishes live, sharing anecdotes about family, friendship, and loss, before offering plates to audience members invited onstage. The interactive format turned the venue into an intimate kitchen, blurring the line between performer and spectator.
Lam Wing-fai, who performed in a male impersonation role, joked that the experience had blurred her own sense of identity. “My male costume was so dashing that I started questioning my gender,” she said. “I discovered that as a man, I got rave reviews. I might give up being a woman.” She added that the cast embraced a “silly, no-holds-barred” approach, shedding any pretense of vanity. “We didn’t mind showing that side of ourselves at all.”
Spontaneity and a Demand for More
Tom Tsang revealed that some of the show’s most physical moments—cartwheels and a “caterpillar flip”—were last-minute additions by Leung. The actors expressed a desire to extend the run, but scheduling conflicts and Hong Kong’s booming live-performance scene have made finding a venue difficult. “It’s a good problem to have,” Leung said. “We’re all stirring the pot together. More people watching theater is a win for everyone.”
All four cast members have separate commitments lined up, meaning a potential revival would likely come no earlier than next year. Yet the enthusiasm for “Taste of Memories” has sparked talk of continuing the “Memories” series. “We might just keep doing ‘Memories of [something]’ forever,” Lam mused.
Broader Impact and Next Steps
The show’s success underscores a growing appetite in Hong Kong for immersive, multisensory theater that connects audiences through familiar tastes and shared history. As the city’s cultural scene rebounds, productions like “Taste of Memories” demonstrate that combining food, memory, and performance can forge powerful emotional bonds.
For now, the cast and creative team are savoring the moment. While no immediate encore is confirmed, Leung expressed gratitude to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department for logistical support. “The stage is hot right now,” he said. “We just want to keep cooking.”
Editor’s note: For more on the intersection of theater and gastronomy, see related coverage on Windmill Grass Theater’s previous production, “Memories of Hong Kong.”
