Artist, designer, chef and chocolatier, Ryan L Foote shuttles between Melbourne and Hong Kong creating installations and multi-sensory experiences that combine food, art and fashion.
For Lumira x LUXE Ryan talks about his multidimensional approach to work, his travel plans and shares a few favourite HK hangouts.
Tell us a little about yourself and what you do.
My creative practice is multidimensional – installation art, set design, food design, ceramics, graphic design. All these elements may seem unconnected but are intrinsically linked and inspire one another. As I continued to push my practice I became increasingly involved in developing recipes and food concepts, making my own plates and food moulds.
My works can be best described part pop-up restaurant, part installation art, part fashion show, part sensory experience. Growing out of these unique events R L Foote Design Studio creates designer ceramic flatware, handmade in Melbourne, which feeds back into my experiential events.
Describe a typical work day.
Depending on whether I am in Melbourne or in Hong Kong, my days are quite different. In Hong Kong, I find my days working on design and recipe concepts, running between meetings, and making chocolates. In Melbourne, I spend more time in my workshop making my ceramics, creating artworks and testing recipes in the kitchen.
Where are you travelling to next?
At the moment bouncing back and forth between Melbourne and Hong Kong is keeping me busy, but my girlfriend and I are hoping to head over to Japan soon. I love how the Japanese pay strong attention to detail, whether it be finishing touches to little cakes, to the craftsmanship in beautiful old temples or tea ceremonies. I am always impressed with their attention to detail!
I am particularly interested in seeing some of the old ceramic villages, like the Saga Prefecture that produce amazing porcelain products. It would also be an indulgent trip based around food. In particular, Japanese Wagashi sweets. I’m always on the lookout for new flavours I can work into events or chocolates.
Ryan’s favourite Hong Kong hangouts:
EAT & DRINK
There are a number of great streets in Hong Kong I keep coming back to time and time again. There are of course the food markets, both a feast for the eyes and mouth. I particularly like the Wan Chai Street Market for fresh ingredients but also a couple of great bakeries on Wan Chai Rd – try the pineapple buns if you spot one!
Kau Kee (21 Gough St) has the best beef brisket noodles. Dim Dim Sum is one of my favourite dim sum places – cheap and cheerful.
Two of my favourite bars are Stockton for amazing cocktails and interior. And Ping Pong, which specialises in gin and tonic based cocktails.
STAY
Tuve Hotel is by far my favourite hotel in Hong Kong. It’s a true designer hotel with every element thought about – it has a clean, minimal aesthetic with pieces of custom-made furniture in the rooms.
PLAY & SHOP
I love Star, Sun and Moon Streets in Wan Chai, they’re home to lots of design shops and has a great feel. Hollywood Rd is filled with galleries and antique shops with delicate hand-carved and painted pieces. Don’t miss PMQ, the old Police Married Quarters, which is now filled with design shops and host to pop-up craft markets.
When most people think of Hong Kong they think of the massive city and high-rise buildings, but one of the best things about living in HK is some of the amazing local beaches; being able to jump on a bus and be at the beach shortly after is one of the best things about Hong Kong.
For more insider tips n’ tricks, nab a copy of the LUXE Hong Kong guide…
