The much-anticipated Guangzhou Gourmet Week (GGW) is set to unfold from October 11 to 19 at the city's Haixinsha Island, strategically overlapping with the autumn session of the Canton Fair, according to a press conference held on September 15.
At the media briefing, several debut dishes for the Gourmet Week were unveiled ahead of the event.
Now in its third edition, the event aims to blend high-end gastronomy with international business culture, offering a rich sensory complement to one of China's largest trade fairs.
Among the featured attractions are collaborative dinners led by eight acclaimed chefs from across China, offering tastings that merge regional Chinese techniques with creative presentation.
"Fermented Seafood" uses unique fermentation techniques to give seafood a distinctive flavor.
More than 20 top-tier restaurants from the Black Pearl list —a leading Chinese culinary guide—will serve special menus, providing a convenient gateway to China's contemporary dining scene. The event will also debut a dedicated China Fine Wine Festival, highlighting terroir-driven wines from emerging regions.
Traditional flavors remain central, with masters of intangible cultural heritage and historic Guangzhou brands offering dishes steeped in local memory. Cross-brand innovative menus and limited-edition collaborations will also debut throughout the week.
"Crispy Thin-Shell Crab Box with Chives" showcases local seafood for a satisfying crunch.
Since its launch in 2023, the festival has quickly grown into a signature event on Guangzhou's cultural calendar. Last year's move to Haixinsha provided a permanent home for an increasingly sophisticated culinary showcase, highlighting everything from Michelin-starred and Black Pearl-recognized restaurants, to time-honored local brands and intangible cultural heritage cuisines.
"Char Siu Hand Roll" reimagines Cantonese barbecue in the form of a hand roll.
The shift from casual street food to curated fine dining experiences resonated widely in 2024's edition, drawing over 100 million views on Douyin and cementing the event's status as a must-attend festival.
This year, the Gourmet Week will be extended to nine days for the first time, designed to engage both citizens and the international audience brought by the Canton Fair, which runs from October 15 to November 4 and may attract exhibitors and visitors from more than 200 countries and regions.
Beyond dining, the festival will feature live music performances, drone shows, and limited-time consumer vouchers, enhancing the week's festive atmosphere and offering visitors a multidimensional urban experience.
Reporter | Huang Xinyi
Photo | Huang Xinyi
Editor | Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He
