The Taiwan Food Expo 2024 opened in Taipei today and will run until the 5th. President of the Republic of China, Lai Ching-te, stated in his speech that Taiwan is internationally recognized as a culinary paradise, blending local and international cuisines. Minister of Transportation, Li Meng-yan, revealed that Taiwan’s Michelin Guide will add 2 more cities, making food a synonymous aspect of Taiwan tourism.
The Taiwan Food Expo features four main zones: “Gold Medal Specialties,” “Explore Taiwanese Flavors,” “Exotic Cuisines,” and “Artistic Surprises,” showcasing Taiwan’s fresh ingredients, delicious dishes, top chefs, champion souvenirs, Michelin and Bib Gourmand recommendations, culinary masterclasses, exotic cuisines, value accommodation and dining vouchers, encompassing produce and cuisines from all over Taiwan, presenting the diverse and rich food culture of Taiwan for people to taste, attend lectures, watch performances, experience activities, shop for bargains, and enjoy the happiness brought by culinary delights.
The opening ceremony of the expo was attended by distinguished guests, including President Lai Ching-te, Minister of Transportation Li Meng-yan, representative of the Japan Exchange Association Kazuyuki Katayama, representative of the Korean representative office in Taipei Lee In-ho, as well as many central government officials, local county and city leaders, and over 200 VIPs from renowned chefs and food industry professionals, showcasing the international appeal of Taiwan’s culinary scene.
President Lai Ching-te expressed gratitude to the efforts of Taiwan Tourism Association Honorary Chairman Yeh Chu-lan and Chairman Chien Yu-yen, acknowledging the challenges Taiwan tourism faces internationally, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts between official and private sectors. Taiwan’s unique position as an internationally recognized culinary paradise blending local and international cuisines brings happiness to the Taiwanese people, who enjoy the results of farmers’ hard work and continually evolving cooking techniques.
President Lai Ching-te mentioned hosting a state banquet on May 20th, sourcing ingredients from 22 counties to let international friends experience local flavors and exhibit Taiwan’s culinary culture. Cultural Olympics also highlights Taiwan’s local cuisine, using food to narrate Taiwan’s unique cultural identity. Emphasizing marketing Taiwan through food, scenery, and culture to promote tourism industry development, showcasing Taiwan’s charm and rich cultural heritage to the world.
President Lai Ching-te stated the government will promote tourism industry through a “tourism-driven nation” approach. Efforts will focus on enhancing Taiwan’s international visibility, offering incentives for international tourists to visit Taiwan and collaborating with governmental and private entities to promote Taiwan through international media. Taiwan’s stunning landscapes and cultural depth offer abundant materials for international promotional videos, aiming to highlight each county’s culinary and tourism highlights to increase international visibility and foster cross-regional culinary destinations for Taiwan’s tourism industry growth.
Chairman Chien Yu-yen of the Taiwan Tourism Association expressed gratitude for President Lai’s support at the Taiwan Food Expo, emphasizing the event as not only a culinary feast but a profound cultural exchange platform where every dish tells a different local story. The expo features local producers, skilled chefs, award-winning “Taiwanese pride” products from around the world, showcasing Taiwan’s natural beauty. The expo aims to make the world fall in love with Taiwan through its cuisine, using food to conquer the world.
Director-General Yeh Chu-lan of the Taiwan Food Expo Prep Committee likened the event to the Olympics of the food industry, continually discovering exciting stories behind more food each year, showcasing chefs, artisans, cuisines, and ingredients shining in their respective fields. Taiwan’s gastronomic culture embodies the democratic nature of Taiwan, where people are willing to express themselves bravely and respect each other’s preferences regarding food. Food serves as the best language for Taiwan to communicate with the world, hoping the expo enhances exchange and cooperation among food-related industry professionals and turns the robust culinary force into a driving force to attract international tourists to Taiwan.
Minister of Transportation Li Meng-yan pointed out that food plays a crucial role in attracting international tourists to Taiwan, becoming synonymous with the country. For instance, Korean tourists specifically queue up at Yongkang Street for 牛軋餅 “beef rolls,” enjoying Taiwan’s culinary charm. Taiwan not only offers street-food options, but the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation continues to collaborate with Michelin, increasing Michelin-starred restaurants from 20 to 56, accumulating 241 stars. The recommended Bib Gourmand restaurants have also increased from 20 to over 500, attracting tourists specifically for a taste of Taiwanese cuisine.
Li Meng-yan hinted at continued collaboration with local governments to promote cuisine. The future addition of two more cities to the Michelin ratings, in addition to Taipei City, Taichung City, Tainan City, and Kaohsiung City, aims to ensure every city qualifies for the ratings, making food a representative aspect of Taiwan tourism and expecting to attract more international tourists to Taiwan to savor the unique allure of Taiwanese cuisine.
The opening ceremony commenced with the “FOCA Formosa Circus” showcasing Taiwan’s unique toasting culture through music and body movements, marking the beginning of the expo. The launch ceremony featured the unique “sun-dried noodles,” inviting VIPs to select good flavors for the expo, formally beginning the four-day event and encouraging Taiwanese to support and discover local flavors together.
President Lai Ching-te, Chairman Yeh Chu-lan, Chairman Chien Yu-yen, and guests visited various pavilions to experience different offerings. The “Artistic Surprises” section displayed culinary artworks by 9 master chefs. Chiayi County presented “Chiayi Quintet” featuring top-quality products like high-mountain tea, black gold coffee, flying fish roe, wasabi, and sea salt. Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang personally introduced the products and invited guests to grind unique Alishan wasabi. The Ministry of Culture’s exhibition “Taste of Taiwan – The Traveling Tradition” held a morning press conference to invite the public to promote and appreciate Taiwan’s culinary cultural history.
Minister of Finance, Chuang Tsui-yun, and Director-General of the Treasury Department, Chen Bo-cheng, hosted guests at the “Jade Dew Hall” in the Ministry of Finance, offering cocktails based on Omar whiskey with dried fruit and mint leaf garnishes, sharing the joy of daily Taiwanese drinking. Chairwoman Gu Xiufei of the Hakka Affairs Council welcomed guests with delectable Hakka treats such as Taiwanese red matcha cheesecake and Baoshan citrus soda, showcasing their hospitality and culinary excellence.