Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) presented the most anticipated food event of the year, welcoming locals and visitors.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) presented the most anticipated food event of the year.
The “Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival” welcomed about 155,000 locals and visitors with more than 10% increase from the last edition.
Hong Kong is a well-known gastronomic destination and this event received a high level of satisfaction, scoring 9 points out of 10. The surveyed guests agreed that the event made a signature event of Hong Kong that cannot be missed. Participating merchants also commented that the event did a great job in encouraging consumption, and that business was better than expected. Tourists noted the fantastic experience and on-site activities while exhibitors from all over the world noted that business exceeded expectations.
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The Wine & Dine Festival captured the interest of visitors from around the world, attracting tourists from various countries and regions, including China, the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and more. During the five-day festival, Hong Kong also welcomed three international cruise liners, whose passengers were interested in checking out the festival and joined the event’s exclusive wine-tasting and pairing experiences organized by HKTB.
Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival 2024
Excellent Turnout
Many Key Opinion Leaders from the mainland social media platform Xiaohongshu visited the event and shared their experiences online with their followers. This year’s Festival boasted over 300 booths with food and drink offerings from 35 countries and regions. A popular pavilion selling Japanese sake said that Japanese sake has gradually amassed fans among Korean consumers, and that their booths attracted quite a number of Korean tourists this year. The exhibitor noted that many guests bought an average of one to three bottles after tasting, and that participating in the event was good for both sales and promotion. They looked forward to joining again in the next edition.
Dried Abalone; Fresh seafood at Sai Ying Pun Market; Fresh vegetables at Natural Corner in Sai Ying Pun Market
The F&B head of a participating hotel said that business at the Festival was better than their initial estimation, with business doubling at weekend. A first-time exhibitor commented that the ambience in the venue is very pleasant and said they sold more than 1,000 drinks a night on average.
Chef Archan Chan at the dried seafood market; Old Fung and Young Fung at their dim sum house; Gregoire Michaud and Bake House’s egg tarts
As the city prepares to welcome Halloween, many guests dressed up during the “Halloween Weekend”, adding to the playful festivity of the event. Lifestyle Asia was able to enter the Wine & Dine Festival before it opened to the public on the first day to sample food and wine from all over the world!
Awesome Selection
For an elevated gastronomic journey, the Harbour Lounge presented a selection of exclusive cocktails blended with local flavours, specially crafted by mixologists, allowing guests to take sips of unique Hong Kong tastes, while enjoying the stunning view of Victoria Harbour. Guests immersed in interactive classes at the Tasting Theatre workshops.
Various international booths at Wine & Dine Hong Kong 2024
Following the five-day “Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival”, HKTB presented the “Taste Around Town” campaign, in partnership with close to 400 restaurants and bars in town from 28 October to 30 November. Participating outlets include high-end restaurants and world-acclaimed bars in the “2024 Asia’s 50 Best Bars”, offering an exciting array of discounts and deals, such as discounts of up to 40%, half-priced menus, and hot pot set deals with a 61% discount.
Various international booths at Wine & Dine Hong Kong 2024
Local Goodies
The HKTB took Lifestyle Asia around several local restaurants. Notable, limited edition dishes to try until November include Chinese wine marinated foie gras and the fried goby at The Praya, dim sun and the layer cake at Old Fung Tea House, the to-die-for egg tarts made by Chef Gregoire Michaud at Bake House, and the chicken and mushroom or Chinese sausage or beef & egg of eel claypot at Wing Hop Sing. We also had a chance to have a gin tasting session with Tankyu Distillery and the makers of Hong Kong’s award-winning Perfume Trees Gin. The tasting session was at their shop at The Mills, a former factory mill that was converted into a lifestyle area that houses unique shops and is a haven for pet lovers.
Chicken and mushroom claypot at Wing Hop Sing; Chinese wine marinated foie gras at The Praya; Razor clams from Ho Lee Fook
Chorland Cookfood Stall was a revelation. The huge, colorful, industrial-style restaurant served the most delicious Cantonese dishes with homemade craft beer. Standouts included the sweet and sour pork, salted egg yolk corn, squid cakes, and black pepper beef. Anything served from Michelin Guide restaurant Ho Lee Fook was enjoyed by all. Memorable dishes included the razor clams, salt and pepper tofu with crispy garlic, jer jer spicy boneless chicken wings pot, and the Kurobuta pork char siu. All these dishes were prepared by Ho Lee Fook chef Archan Chan who kindly gave us a guided neighbourhood tour around Hong Kong the very next day. She took us to the dry seafood shops along Des Voeux Road West and Sai Ying Pun Market to check out the fresh seafood and organic vegetable produce of Hong Kong.
Salted egg yolf corn from Chorland; The layer cake at Old Fung Tea House
Hong Kong cements itself as a top destination for food lovers with the immense success of this latest Wine & Dine festival.
All photos by the author.
