With the total reopening of borders, the the Director of Tourism Office and Macau (MGTO) once again invited representatives and chefs from 23 UNESCO Creative Cities in the area of Gastronomy, including Macau, to visit the city and carry out an exchange in Macau.
Organized by MGTO and co-organized by the Macao Tourism Institute (IFTM), the “Gastronomy Cities Demonstrations” are one of the highlights of this year’s Macao International Tourism (Industry) Expo. At the same time, this is the first large-scale international gastronomic exchange activity carried out by DST after the pandemic, with the participation of chefs from a record 23 Creative Cities of Gastronomy.
Biggest cooking demonstration ever
The Director of Tourism Services and Macau focal point of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, in her speech on the occasion, said that, “during the pandemic, only with the UNESCO Creative Cities in Gastronomy, Mainland China and Macao, the cooking demonstrations at the Tourism Expo were a great success. This year, with Creative Food Cities from Asia, Oceania, Latin America, North America, Europe and the Middle East, we will host the biggest culinary demonstration ever, which is sure to bring a great gastronomic feast.”
This year, chefs from Creative Cities of Gastronomy in Asia, Oceania, Latin America, North America, Europe and the Middle East participate in culinary demonstrations, cooking and sharing typical dishes from their places of origin. There is also a delicacy tasting session, along with the showing of several promotional videos of the Creative Cities of Gastronomy, allowing residents and visitors to experience firsthand the “flavor” of each city and the culinary style of the chefs.
Macau, hosting the event’s stage, will feature Antonieta Manhão from Confraria da Gastronomia Macaense, and Lei Wai Cheong from the Macau Cuisine Association, who will participate in two cooking demonstrations to cook Macanese and Cantonese food for the public.
Chefs promote exchange
Chefs from Popayan (Colombia), Hagoni (Japan), Melida (Mexico), Santa Maria da Feira (Portugal), Phuket (Thailand) and Santo António (United States of America) will also hold exchange sessions with chefs kitchens at Venetian Macao, MGM Macau and Ponte 16 at Hotel Sofitel Macau to share their ideas and exchange culinary experiences. On the other hand, during their stay in Macau, representatives of the Creative Cities of Gastronomy will hold an internal meeting for exchange and discussion. During their stay in Macau, representatives and chefs will also visit local markets and characteristic markets, as well as the Historic Center of Macau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, among others, to learn more about Macau’s gastronomic culture and the content of “Tourism +”, promoting exchange.
The Chief Executive, Ho Iat Seng, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lei Wai Nong, the Chief of Staff of the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Ku Mei Leng, the Director of MGTO, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, the Deputy – IFTM President, Diamantina Rosário Coimbra, along with representatives of the 23 UNESCO Creative Cities in Gastronomy, including the Mayor of Phuket, Thailand, Saroj Angkanapilas, the Mayor of Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal, Emídio Ferreira dos Santos Sousa, the Deputy Mayor of Portoviejo, Ecuador, Mirian Mariela Coral López, took group photographs. Then, the Director of MGTO, and representatives of the various Creative Cities of Gastronomy held the launch ceremony.
