Macau’s culinary heritage celebrated at the International Cities of Gastronomy Fest

The City of Gastronomy Showcase, part of the wider International Cities of Gastronomy Fest Macao, includes some 60 culinary demonstrations. Photo: Handout

• The International Gastronomy Forum takes place on June 17 at the Macau Fisherman's Wharf, and is a highlight of this month's International Cities of Gastronomy Fest

Macau is a flourishing city of contrasts, with a rich legacy as a global entrepot. Buddhist temples coexist with Portuguese churches, while ancient buildings sit comfortably beside modern landmarks like the Macau Tower.

The city's historic centre, a Unesco World Heritage site, stands as a testament to over 450 years of Chinese and European cultures intermingling. From here, visitors are a short taxi ride away from one of the world's largest conglomerations of integrated resorts - destinations celebrated for their contemporary luxury and entertainment offerings.

Macau's culinary scene displays a similar blend of tradition and innovation. Considered as the world's first fusion cuisine by many - including Unesco - the city's culinary offerings run the gamut from traditional street food to internationally renowned fine dining. In 2017 this legacy saw Macau receive the honour of being named a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy, becoming part of the Unesco Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

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"Side by side with the Unesco World Heritage-listed Historic Centre of Macao, [our] development as a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy is one of the city's calling cards and an important project to preserve our unique gastronomic identity," explains Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO).

A gastronomic showcase

To highlight the city's culinary heritage and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region, MGTO is hosting, until June 23, the International Cities of Gastronomy Fest, Macao.

One of the celebration's major highlights is the International Gastronomy Forum, Macao, taking place today (June 17) at the Macau Fisherman's Wharf Convention and Exhibition Centre. This marks the first staging of the forum in the post-pandemic era.

The event aims to foster the preservation of global gastronomic culture and facilitate international exchange.

"We hope that the forum and this year's overall larger-scale event will provide a broader exchange platform for [Unesco's] Creative Cities of Gastronomy from around the world, while further showcasing Macau's 'tourism plus gastronomy' appeal," says Senna Fernandes.

The forum's theme, "Holistic Gastronomy: Eat well, live well", will guide these conversations, focusing on the symbiotic development between the fields of gastronomy, and health and wellness. The programme will feature two panel sessions and an exchange meeting, where thought leaders from diverse fields will share their experience and perspectives.

"The forum's keynotes and panel discussions aim to provide insights on how to shape healthier and more sustainable communities with holistic gastronomy, zooming in on topics that resonate and are important development avenues for member cities of the UCCN, while allowing participants to feel the pulse of Macau's development as a Creative City of Gastronomy, and beyond," explains Senna Fernandes.

In addition to the forum, the International Cities of Gastronomy Fest, Macao will host an International Gastronomy Promenade. Here, Chinese and Asian cities will showcase their unique delicacies at around 100 food stalls. The event will feature a dining area and waterfront bar, as well as games and live performances.

Running concurrently is the City of Gastronomy Showcase, where internationally renowned chefs from Creative Cities of Gastronomy will be invited to conduct around 60 culinary demonstrations. Visitors and residents are welcome to observe the culinary styles of these talented chefs up close and savour the unique flavours of each city.

Senna Fernandes' hope is that the festival will become a "flagship event of Macau as a Creative City of Gastronomy" that helps raise awareness of the city's local culinary history while also raising awareness of the UCCN and the goals of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Macau's unique culinary tradition

Notwithstanding its compact size, Macau is a vibrant melting pot of cultural heritage, boasting one of the most robust local and international culinary scenes in the region. Macanese cuisine, a unique fusion of East and West, is a testament to this.

"With its blend over the centuries of Chinese and Portuguese cuisines, incorporating flavours from Africa, India and Southeast Asia, Macanese food reflects Macau's unique history," says Senna Fernandes. "Ensuring the preservation of Macanese cuisine as part of the cultural identity of the city has been one of the main tasks of [our] action plan to develop as a Creative City of Gastronomy."

Starting from the 16th century, Portuguese maritime traders introduced a variety of spices and other ingredients - such as Mediterranean bay leaves, peri-peri, turmeric, tamarind, chilli peppers, coconut milk, cloves, tomatoes and potatoes - collected during their travels along the coasts of Africa, India and Southeast Asia. Many Macanese dishes were born from the spice blends that the wives of Portuguese seafarers used in an attempt to replicate dishes from home with local Chinese ingredients and seasonings.

These components were married with Cantonese culinary techniques, as well as European cooking methods such as roasting, grilling and stewing. This fusion in turn gave birth to a distinct Macanese cuisine.

A contemporary dining destination

Naturally, Macau as a culinary destination has far more to offer than its famed Macanese cuisine. From the historic centre to Taipa, Coloane and Cotai, you'll discover a plethora of innovative and chic eateries, serving up tantalising flavours and artful presentations.

Catering to every palate and pocket, Macau's gastronomic landscape is as diverse as it is exciting. From sky-high rooftop bars and charming street-side cafes to globally acclaimed restaurants housed in sprawling integrated resorts, Macau presents a modern array of dining experiences.

Here, food lovers can savour everything from authentic French and Italian delicacies to inventive fusion dishes that blend Asian and South American influences.

Towards a greener gastronomic tradition

In recent years, Macau's culinary creativity has embraced a new facet - sustainability. Numerous restaurants in Macau have elevated the dining experience by advocating for wellness and the environment.

"The adoption of green practices in F&B is becoming a norm in Macau, from restaurants in the integrated resorts to small eateries around town," says Senna Fernandes, who highlights the Educational Restaurant of the Macao University of Tourism as an "outstanding example" of sustainability on the city's dining scene. The restaurant has received a Michelin Green Star for its environmental efforts.

Over the years, Macau's gastronomic traditions have broadened to include an extensive array of vegetarian and vegan options.

Positioned as the regional epicentre for sustainable gastronomy, Macau boasts an abundance of dining establishments catering to plant-based diets.

A wellness oasis

The wellness movement in Macau is flourishing, and topics related to "living well" also form part of the forum's programme.

"Improving the well-being of Macau residents is front and centre of all Macau SAR government policies, [whether they concern] the economy, transport or social affairs," says Senna Fernandes.

To that end, the Macau SAR government is implementing its new road map: the "Economic Diversification of the Macao Special Administrative Region (2024-28)". Senna Fernandes describes this as a "new chapter" for the city, citing the government's "1 + 4" development strategy for economic diversification.

The "1" refers to the diversified development of the tourism and leisure industry, she explains, while the "4" includes a focus on fostering emerging industries, including health and wellness, alongside modern financial services.

A holistic approach

Ultimately, says Senna Fernandes, gastronomy, sustainability and wellness are inextricably linked.

"Leveraging F&B and gastronomy to infuse more creative approaches, sustainable practices, wellness and other positive influences for the city's development is what the Unesco Creative Cities Network in the field of gastronomy aims for," she says.

"Macau is committed to evolving as a Creative City of Gastronomy, and such a goal is part of our current overall development of the city towards greater diversification and sustainability."

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