Food Worth Flying For: Filming for Qatar Airways with Chef Vicky Lau

Food is life. And sometimes, it’s not just worth running for. It’s worth flying for.

So when The Filmhouse asked us to line produce the Hong Kong episode of Qatar Airways’ culinary series, we didn’t need much persuading. On the menu: Chef Vicky Lau of TATE Dining Room and her creations for the airline’s Business and First Class passengers.

We’re always curious about how other people create. When food is involved, all the better.

The challenge? Sorry, almost no drama.

In advertising, this is usually where we introduce the impossible challenge we heroically overcame.

At the risk of spoiling a good case study, this production was a pleasure. An immense “kiff”, in fact.

There was some time pressure, of course. Every dish had to be prepared on the day, and we had plenty to capture in a short window. But that’s a shoot, not a crisis.

We were filming at TATE’s former location, so the director put more emphasis on the kitchen action than the dining room. For ever-curious observers of other people’s creative process, watching Vicky and her team at work was a treat.

The only real challenge? Seeing those mouth-watering creations through the monitor.

Our part: Hong Kong line production

We handled location scouting and recces, local crew, a gaffer, an ALEXA camera package, production vans and the logistics around the shoot. Professional drivers who know the city, and a little extra care for the visiting crew.

Decades of production experience in Hong Kong and Asia helped. But credit where it’s due: The Filmhouse crew were not only thoroughly professional, they were a charm to work with.

Clear briefs, good communication, lovely people. From the first enquiry to the shoot—and even the final invoice payment—we felt we were working with a partner. Chef Vicky and the team at TATE made us feel equally welcome.

If only every gig were like this.

Planning a shoot in Hong Kong?

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