Time flies and we almost cannot believe that it is time for the CCB (Asia) Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival once again. This popular event, hosted by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, is a must for foodies and wine enthusiasts. This event, which marks its tenth anniversary this year, takes place from the 25th to the 28th October at the Central Harbourfront Event Space. Here are ten things you need to do while you are at the festival.
1. Taste fine wines at Grand Wine Pavilion
At any wine and dine event, tasting delicious wine is a must-do. Hong Kong’s top wine merchants bring festival visitors only the very best bottles. Top critics including James Suckling and Robert Parker will be on hand to give their thoughts on offerings brought to you from the likes of Berry Bros. & Rudd, Ferrarini Pacific, Ginsberg+Chan Wine Merchants Asia and Watson’s Wine. Limited edition wines make this a hot ticket; purchase a Perfect 10 Passport and you get unlimited entry to the pavilion on that day.
2. Check out top chefs at the Tasting Room
We hope you scored a ticket for the Meet the Chefs event at the Tasting Room as the line up this year is exciting. Five visiting chefs bring ten Michelin stars between them. Pierre Gagnaire represents Hong Kong’s Mandarin Oriental while Lin Cheng-Ching is over from the two Michelin-starred Guest House in Taipei. Bee Satongun from Paste Bangkok, Chen Kentaro from Shisen Hanten, Singapore and George Chen from WUJIE Shanghai The Bund complete the line up. They will be creating innovative dishes paired with fine wines selected by top sommeliers.
3. Sup craft beer & whisky
Microbreweries are renowned for their high quality offerings and the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival 2018 hosts some of the best. Visitors will have the opportunity to find out for themselves how much better the flavour becomes when local brewersditch the mass production techniques. Prefer to sip rather than sup? Whisky aficionados will be pleased to learn that a range of to-die-for single malts are on the menu as well.
4. Travel the globe for the very best in international street food
Tasting international street food just got a whole lot easier. Instead of racking up the air miles, why not let those taste buds go on a culinary journey without leaving Hong Kong? Sample some of the most delicious German, Korean, Latin American, Singaporean and Taiwanese cuisine. Choose from German sausage, Korean kimbap, Argentinian steak, Taiwanese beef noodles and more.
5. Turn your attention to Japan
Japanese wine is in the spotlight at Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival 2018, with the spotlight on fruit wines and sake. Whether you are new to the sake scene or a connoisseur with an experienced palate, you will enjoy this part of the show. Sake, also known as Japanese rice wine, is made by fermenting rice which has been polished to remove the bran. Starch is converted to sugars in a brewing process not dissimilar to that which produces beer. But you don’t just need to learn about it, you need to try it for yourself.
5. Enjoy the smoothest coffee at Coffee Fiesta
New to the festival this year is Coffee Fiesta, bringing together some of Hong Kong’s top cafés and bakeries under one roof. Award-winning baristas will be serving speciality coffees and the tastiest pastries, cookies and cakes. At the festival, you will find Café Sausalito, John Choy Café, Say Hey Bakery and Alice Wild Luscious amongst others. This is your chance to break out of your coffee rut and try a different blend. And if you really can’t bear that your regular haunt is missing, you will need to petition them to ensure they join the 2019 festival party.
7. Feed me at the FeedMe Lane
It is back – the FeedMe Lane once again brings a host of on-trend restaurants to the festival arena. Your tastebuds are in for a treat. Try shrimp and more from popular American chain Bubba Gump, while local favourite Waffling Beans brings a touch of Belgian flair to the proceedings. Grassroots burger joint Honbo invites you to taste its potato milk bun – once it has passed your lips, you will not be satisfied with anything else. With FUMI, Bread & Beast, Mean Noodles and more also signed, you will be spoilt for choice.
8. Visit Hotel Delicious
Take the opportunity to try some of the best food in town. Top chefs from some of Hong Kong’s best hotels recreate their signature dishes here at the festival. It is an opportunity too good to miss.
9. Shop at the Concept Store
The Concept Store returns for 2019 and local designs are hot news. Whether you are a gadget fiend or simply have an eye for on-trend design, these lifestyle products are a feast for the eyes. Stop off at the Hong Kong Smart Design Awards to identify the hottest homewares. International brands are also well represented, including Jarre Technologies, Marshall and the ever-tempting KitchenAid. Asia Miles members can redeem points to secure discounts – and they will even deliver right to your door.
10. Relax and enjoy Halloween afternoon tea
Hong Kong’s Mandarin Oriental is justifiably famous for its afternoon tea, but it would not be October without a nod to Halloween. You will need a separate ticket and time your visit for the afternoon of the 28th, but do so and you will be rewarded by Halloween cupcakes, nougat shaped like autumn leaves, chocolate pumpkin tarts, orange truffle lollipops and bite-sized pumpkin cheesecakes. Traditionalists will be pleased to note that the classic raisin scones with rose petal jam and Devon clotted cream have not been forgotten. After all, you know what they say – “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
Are you going? Make sure you do not miss out and purchase your tickets in advance from the Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Centre, Star Ferry Concourse, Tsim Sha Tsui. For more details, check out the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Wine & Dine Festival online site.