The Hong Kong Police Senior Officers’ Mess is situated on the 6th and 7th floors of Caine House at the Police Headquarters in Wan Chai. The Mess has been officially in use since 1955, and officers of the rank of Superintendent and above can apply for its membership. The Mess Manager Frankie shared with OffBeat a touching police story which prompted him to quit his job in the banking industry to join the Mess in 2014.

“My wife comes from a police family, so I have a close relationship with the Force. In 2013, my father had a stroke at home and my mother was very frightened at the time. Fortunately, the police officer who arrived on scene took care of my mother and accompanied her to the hospital, and I was deeply touched by the officer’s caring actions. Since then, I wanted to serve Force members and in the next year when I found out the Mess was hiring a manager, I decided to apply for the position,” he said.

To manage this restaurant with 66 years of history, Frankie pays a lot of attention to details. For example, the interior of the Mess must preserve its original structure, while complying with current fire safety regulations. The cuisine must maintain a high standard, and there are strict standards for banquet etiquette. Frankie also needs to become familiar with different banquet programmes. On special occasions, he would need to prepare a metal duck for the tradition of “Trooping the Duck”.

Commissioner Rank Officers are accorded priority for the use of the 7th floor of the Mess, so it is also known as the “Commissioner’s dining room”. Frankie said, “Commissioner Siu Chak-yee would make phone reservation personally. He likes to arrange for a buffet style banquet when he hosts guests. As the curry dishes of the Mess are very famous, he would usually request for curry dishes to satisfy the curiosity of the guests.”

Frankie has served many high officials and socialites, and whenever he received their praise, he would feel very proud. He said, “The Mess is every officer’s goal. Some officers were brought along to the restaurant by senior officers, and a few years later, after they have been promoted to Superintendent and made bookings as a member, I would wholeheartedly feel very happy for them.”

The social unrests in recent years also affected the operation of the restaurant. During Operation SOLARPEAK, the restaurant suspended operation to make room as a rest area for officers. When protesters besieged the Police Headquarters during Operation TIDERIDER, Frankie had to evacuate his staff and guests from the restaurant. He said that when there was unstable law and order situation, the number of bookings for the restaurant would drop as officers would be busy working, so whenever he met officers, he would send them his best regards. Frankie will continue to offer excellent catering services to officers, to express his support to the Force with his actions.