For chefs, every dish is more than just flavor—it’s a promise to cherish our planet. “True food wisdom lies in cherishing every bite,” and that’s why Maxim’s Group launched the “ALL YOU CAN COOK!” campaign, weaving food-saving into the heart of daily operations. This is a loving invitation to savor every ingredient and integrate sustainability deliciously into our lives.
“ALL YOU CAN COOK!” is more than just a slogan— it’s a warm embrace of mindful dining. Over 70 passionate chefs and R&D staff from Hong Kong and mainland China poured their hearts into more than 100 hours of training and innovation. Their mission? To transform overlooked food scraps into culinary surprises. Starting with humble kitchen trimmings from vegetables and meats, they crafted nearly 50 innovative recipes involving 16 types of ingredient. Starting this June, diners can savor these dishes at selected restaurants, joining a movement that nourishes both diners and the earth with every bite.
Forgotten food scraps are so full of hidden magic. High-quality ingredients often trimmed for looks or plating purposes are just as nutritious and delicious as their main counterparts. Chefs have spun these bits into pure delight, creating beautiful dishes while saving resources:
- Toasted bread crusts: enhance chili oil with their delightful crunch, adding depth to the flavour.
- Slow-cooked ox tongue tips and ends: These less favored cuts become incredibly tender through slow cooking and are perfect when topped with a special sauce over a bowl of donburi.
- Egg roll and cake scraps tart bases: Crumbled egg rolls and cake scraps, rich with flour, eggs, and butter, transform into golden, crispy tart crusts—a sweet embrace to reduce waste.
“Cut-offs” are just as lovable as any ingredient.
Egg roll crumbs and cake scraps shine as crispy tart bases.
Toasted bread crusts could act as a flavour enhancer.
Ox tongue tips and ends turn tender with a slow cook.
Maxim’s has long been dedicated to reducing waste to make a difference:
- Source Reduction: Since 2008, Maxim’s Group has joined the Greeners Action “Less Rice, Save a Dollar” campaign, gently encouraging diners to only take what they can eat to minimize food waste.
- Food Donation: The “Love Bread Campaign,” in collaboration with charities and food banks, has donated over 6.8 million pieces of bread to those in need. (Learn more — Care Stories)
- Food Waste Recycling: At Maxim’s Tai Po facility, food scraps are either sent to OPark2 or diverted in the Environmental Protection Department’s “Food Waste and Sludge Co-Digestion” pilot. All 250 branches stand as “FoodWise Eateries,” with 26 joined as the top-tier “Diamond” class eateries.
- Circular Innovation: The introduction of BOB, a craft beer brewed from surplus bread and coffee grounds, has upcycled over 3.9 tonnes of bread and 700 kg of coffee grounds. Maxim’s also supports the WeGen regenerative farming program, turning food scraps into enzymes for growing pesticide-free crops and recycling about 300,000 liters of waste oil into biodiesel annually. (Learn more — Circular Economy)
Fostering a culture of food conservation starts with education. From May to August of 2025, the “ALL YOU CAN COOK!” campaign, joins hands with HK Electric for the “ALL YOU CAN COOK! x Green Delight” Creative Cooking Competition. Families, secondary school students, tertiary institutions, and the public are invited to create zero-waste recipes. Finalists will compete live, cooking their creations for a chance to win up to HK$5,000 in cash vouchers. Winning recipes may be featured in an e-cookbook, showcasing the power of sustainable cooking. This competition is not just a contest but a vibrant stage for everyone to actively engage in eco-friendly practices, weaving food-saving into everyday life and sparking green energy in dining and community life.
For all the delicious details, visit: https://allyoucancook.com.hk/
