The 2025 Guangzhou International Gourmet Festival opened on the evening of November 19 in Guangzhou's Panyu District, offering much more than just food. Against the backdrop of the 15th National Games jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, the five-day event integrates cultural performances, international flavors, and the spirit of the 15th National Games, providing a rich, multi-sensory experience for attendees.
Approximately 220 booths are set up for the festival. The main venue at Wanbo Center hosts nearly 100 booths, while over 120 additional booths are arranged in key commercial complexes within the Chimelong Wanbo Business District, creating a spectacular culinary feast for residents and visitors.
The main venue is divided into 10 zones, featuring specialties from China's eight major cuisines, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) delicacies, intangible cultural heritage foods, AI-powered culinary creations, and sports nutrition meals.
At the opening ceremony, Shayong Ao Fish, a Guangdong Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage item, made an appearance on stage. Several golden Ao Fish swam gracefully amidst the lights and music, performing alongside lion dances to infuse the festival with a vibrant atmosphere.
The event also attracted international participation. Nish, a Turkish exhibitor, brought a variety of delicious Turkish desserts to the festival, such as rice pudding, pistachio baklava, walnut wraps, and more. Nish believes the festival's popularity will greatly promote Turkish cuisine. "The event has just started, and I believe more people will definitely come over the weekend!" Nish also expressed interest in the ongoing 15th National Games, saying, "I watch the games on CCTV!"
Interactions with the stars of the 15th National Games brought continuous surprises. Chen Xiaojun, a National Games promotion ambassador and national athlete in both synchronized swimming and competitive swimming, not only shared insights on exercise and diet for health but also presented signed National Games gourmet gift boxes to lucky audience members.
Throughout the festival, supporting activities will be held consecutively, allowing visitors to enjoy diverse programs while tasting delicacies. These include the "Food + Music Carnival Night," inviting bands and popular online singers to create a vibrant, youth-oriented nighttime entertainment scene; the Food Festival Star Awards recognizing standout dishes, snacks, chefs, and restaurants; and the "Master Chef Classroom," partnering with smart kitchen brands and inviting Cantonese chefs and cross-border guests to cook home-style dishes together.
The organizing committee is also distributing catering consumption vouchers in batches through online platforms. These vouchers are valid at over 3,000 participating catering merchants across the city.
Reporter | Guo Chuhua
Photo | Guo Chuhua
Editor | Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He
