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South China Morning Post

Hong Kong's Food Expo can whet the appetite for new ideas

Hong Kong has long enjoyed a reputation for being a food paradise, offering a wide variety of cuisines and styles, from cheap traditional eateries to high-end gourmet restaurants. However, the industry is facing challenging times as diners' tastes change, with residents heading to the mainland on holidays and rents remaining high. There has been a worrying wave of closures. Advertisement The Food Expo , opening on August 14, provides a timely opportunity for residents and visitors alike to eat and drink to their heart's content, reviving their appetite for spending in the city. Last year, a record half a million consumers attended the five fairs that run in August. In addition to the Food Expo, these include Beauty and Wellness, and Home Delights exhibitions, as well as a Food Expo Pro event, aimed primarily at the trade, and an international tea fair. The festival will feature 1,890 exhibitors from 35 countries and regions. The diversity of the food on offer is impressive, with 45 regional pavilions. Theme days include a focus on intangible cultural heritage, Asian delights and healthy eating. To mark the 35th edition of the Food Expo, 100 products will be on sale for HK$35. And there will be entertainment, too, from tai chi to a 'coffee cupping' challenge for baristas and dim sum demonstrations. Stimulating local consumption is one of the declared aims of the expo, organised by the city's Trade Development Council. The challenge, however, will be to harness the enthusiasm for food fuelled by the festival so that it re-energises the sector. Eateries need to innovate and adapt to changing market demands, appealing to younger diners. This especially applies to more traditional outlets. Inspiration might be found at the expo, both for long-standing establishments and new entrants. It features a Food Science and Technology Zone which looks to the future as well as some eye-opening food and drink products from around the world. Advertisement Helping outlets survive and driving a rebound in the sector will require a joint effort from all concerned – the government, landlords, banks and the retailers themselves. But the Food Expo can encourage spending, generate new ideas and give the industry a much-needed lift.