The Loop HK 30 Under 30 2017

Founder, Stellar House; Crunch Munch

Lawyer Adrian Cheung quit a career in the legal field to establish Stellar House, a private kitchen that explores the heritage behind Cantonese cuisine, in 2016. Think dining in an OG private members’ club setting — yet without the stuffiness that can often come with it. He also runs Crunch Munch, one of the 16 businesses that won a food truck license from the government, in the same year. It uses traditional Chinese fried dough (yau zha gwai), combined with other nostalgic Hong Kong ingredients, to create next-level sandwiches.

At Stellar House, Cheung says he’s inspired by “enjoying great food with family and friends” — something that’s propelled him to start the business. “Hopefully we can introduce traditional Cantonese cuisine to the younger generation,” he explains.” This includes “changing up the mentality” of traditional dining in Hong Kong: “You can go with friends, not just with parents, to old-school Chinese restaurants.”

Everything from the techniques to the recipes pay homage to long-established culinary traditions — something that Cheung feels strongly about. “We hope to to preserve the great traditions of Cantonese cooking.”

“Hopefully we can introduce traditional Cantonese cuisine to the younger generation.”

Though he worked in the legal field prior to his venture, he also once also did a restaurant internship at London’s Michelin-starred Italian restaurant Murano, during his studies.

Today, Cheung deals with business and marketing in both businesses as well as day-to-day issues that arise. His most proud moment? “Managing to turn my ideas into reality, starting from scratch.”

His first job? “I worked in London as a trainee solicitor with international law firm Ashurst.”

His role model? “My mom, who founded Hong Kong jewelry business Carnet while in her 20s.”