The 2nd edition of the “Crunch and Munch Fair – Fiesta for Five”, jointly organised by the Industry and Commerce Association of Macau ZAPE and the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), and supported by the city’s six casino operators, will be held in Cotai Strip Park from tomorrow to October 29.
The two organisers yesterday held a press conference at the Lotus Room of the World Trade Centre Macau on Avenida da Amizade, to present an overview of the 11-day event.
According to their previous press conference held at the same venue in September 17, the “fiesta” (Spanish for “festival”) will showcase signature dishes from the five UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy in China, namely Chengdu, Huai’an, Shunde, Yangzhou and Macau, featuring an array of games, performances, and a craft beer zone. The statement added that in addition to traditional Chinese and Macanese culinary delights, this year’s event will offer a host of fare and groceries originating from Portuguese-speaking countries in order to create a more diverse cultural experience for visitors.
Wu Tat Chong, president of the Industry and Commerce Association of Macau ZAPE, said during the press conference that a total of 107 booths have been set up. 60 of them are local caterers, 20 from the four participating mainland Chinese cities, 10 craft beer exhibitors, six cultural and creative games exhibitors, and the remainder promoting Portuguese-speaking countries’ products. He highlighted that this year’s event will incorporate “young and fashionable elements” such as electronic music, DJs, street dancers and bands, in order to bring to visitors a unique carnival-like vibe.
Wu added that his association visited last month government departments and various cultural groups in the four UNESCO-listed Cities of Gastronomy in the mainland, in order to gain a deeper understanding of their culinary traditions and hence bring their most authentic tastes to the event.
MGTO Deputy Director Ricky Hoi Io Meng said that by taking advantage of the brand effect of the 28th Macau International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF), which is also scheduled to open tomorrow, he believed the event would attract more diversified business elements on the basis of “tourism+food+culture” and promote the integration of culture, business and tourism. He estimated that the fiesta would have more than 150,000 visits in total.
The festival’s food booths will open for business daily from 3:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., according to the statement.
Representatives of the organisers and supporting units pose for a group photo during a press conference yesterday at the Lotus Room of the World Trade Centre Macau, including MGTO Deputy Director Ricky Hoi Io Meng (first row, centre) and Industry and Commerce Association of Macau ZAPE President Wu Tat Chong (first row, fourth from left).
– Photo: Gabriel Tam
