Harrow Hong Kong serves up a new school lunch experience

Students at the Gold Coast school have been enjoying a delicious new lunch menu

Harrow Hong Kong serves up new lunch experience - students tuck in

Students at Harrow International School Hong Kong have been tucking into a nourishing lunchtime menu thanks to the recently introduced ‘Excellence on the Plate’ initiative.

The student-centred, first-of-its-kind programme is designed by education services provider Asia International School Limited and aims to set a new benchmark for school meals in the city.

The healthy eating programme has already enjoyed a successful debut at Harrow Schools in mainland China and is now being put to the taste test by Harrow students on Hong Kong’s Gold Coast. 

“Excellence on the Plate is about joy as much as nourishment,” said Harrow head teacher, Rosie McColl. “Delcious, international dishes that inspire curiosity, connect our community and help build lifelong healthy habits.”

Culinary consultant Paul Yen has created 20 dishes that are globally inspired, locally sourced, using whole foods rich in fibre, minerals and vitamins. They include the catchily named ‘I Spy Shepherd’s Pie with Lamb Filling’ and the plant-based ‘Truffle Shuffle Risotto’. 

The programme hopes to prove that healthy food can be tasty, addressing a surge in picky eating and unbalanced diets amongst children. Local surveys show that around 90% of youngsters, from primary through to secondary, aren’t eating enough fruit and vegetables. 

Excellence on the Plate prioritises nutrition while reducing refined sugars, enabling students to power through the school day with energy and focus. It’s hoped they will carry these healthy habits into the future.

“Through diverse cuisines and sustainable practices, every meal becomes a chance to build awareness, shape values and nurture leadership, helping students develop the habits, responsibility and the mindset to care for themselves, their communities and the world, long after they leave our schools,” explained Valerie Chiu, director of AISL Group.

This feature first appeared in our Spring 2026 print issue, view it here.