Simon Wilson has deep roots in Hong Kong’s F&B scene and has consistently been at the forefront of the city’s most exciting culinary initiatives. He co-founded The Grounds at AIA Vitality Park, Hong Kong’s premier outdoor entertainment venue. In his role as head of culinary, Asia for IMG, the global sports and culture company, Wilson played a pivotal role in curating the acclaimed Taste festivals, which brought the city’s top chefs and food lovers to the Central Harbourfront. Today, he is the managing director and partner of Greater Bay Media Entertainment, a company that provides media and entertainment platforms for the region and beyond.
His latest endeavour, Fork Lore on Instagram, has become a social media sensation. Not only is it entertaining, but it also champions the rich gastronomic culture of Hong Kong and offers a fresh perspective on the city’s bustling food and beverage landscape.
Also read: Can you not mix alcohol with durian? Debunking myths about the fruit
Fork Lore founder Simon Wilson wears IWC Schaffhausen watch, Suitsupply outfit (Photo: Ivan Wong/Tatler Hong Kong)
Fork Lore features interviews with chefs and F&B professionals across the city. Asia’s 50 Best Bar winner Lorenzo Antinori of Bar Leone, May Chow of Little Bao and Danny Yip of The Chairman are just some of the talents Wilson has had on screen.
“I started off wanting to help the Hong Kong F&B community, as it’s been really struggling,” said the Irish entrepreneur. “I’m a massive F&B fanboy and really love the whole hospitality scene and people who work in it. They’re my friends and I wanted to find a way to be involved.”
Through candid conversations with the F&B pros, Wilson uncovers the best recommendations for where to eat and drink, spotlighting hidden gems and beloved institutions alike. “It’s conversations with people who I know, respect and admire. I have a lot of fun doing it and want to convey that on the screen. If nothing else, I hope my enthusiasm comes across.”
Being in front of the camera doesn’t come naturally to Wilson, but practice makes perfect. “I find it nerve-racking. I sat down at home with my wife Claire, who has worked in TV before. We watched all the raw stuff and it was horrible. It was the worst experience I’ve had in my grown-up life. Claire gave me notes and that was a very humbling experience,” Wilson says with a laugh.
Though the end result is a polished one-minute clip, the road to get there isn’t always so smooth. “It’s a very expensive hobby, to be very honest, but so far it’s surpassed our expectations in terms of views and followers.”
Simon Wilson wears Suitsupply outfit (Photo: Ivan Wong/Tatler Hong Kong)
The Fork Lore page has garnered a significant following but not without some criticism. “Some people think it’s disingenuous,” he says, as the same restaurants are mentioned by many of the chefs that are interviewed. “Yardbird gets a lot of coverage, but that doesn’t surprise me, because it’s where chefs love to eat.” Despite the backlash, Wilson remains undeterred, adding that he himself had been someone who visits the same restaurants regularly until he started taking the chefs’ recommendations too.
Looking to the future, Wilson is ambitious about the potential of Fork Lore and is excited to partner with brands to support the city’s F&B community. “I want to continue to tell stories in different formats that serve Hong Kong.” Wilson is making all Fork Lore recommendations from interviewees accessible on a map and will launch Fork Lore curated experiences later this year: think supper clubs, boutique food festivals and expert-led tasting events. “Our North Star is to try and support the city and bring people and diners in.”
Wilson’s passion for Hong Kong’s food and beverage scene is undeniable, and his willingness to take risks and embrace new challenges is admirable. As Fork Lore continues to grow, it will be exciting to see how his vision unfolds and how he navigates the complexities of the industry he so deeply cares about. Watch this space.
NOW READ
Martha Keswick on why she created disaster risk reduction books for children
Nikki Ng of Sino Group is spreading her love for farming, one crop at a time