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Hong Kong Michelin-starred chefs delight diners at Bordeaux wine fair (with photos)
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     The Hong Kong Tourism Board has opened a Hong Kong restaurant at Vinexpo in Bordeaux, France, to promote Hong Kong as Asia's culinary capital to French and international visitors. 
      
     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels is supporting the showcase, organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
      
     Vinexpo is an annual wine fair held in Bordeaux and Hong Kong on alternate years. This year it is being held in Bordeaux from June 18 to 21. 
      
     Vinexpo is expected to attract about 50 000 visitors from more than 150 countries, and some 1 200 food and wine journalists from 51 countries will attend to cover the event. 
      
     The restaurant is presenting a special menu created by two Michelin-awarded chefs from Hong Kong, Mr Yip Kar-on from the restaurant Guo Fu Lo and Mr Mak Kwai-pui from the restaurant Tim Ho Wan, as well as a French chef, Mr Jérôme Billot, who has received awards for his Hong Kong-influenced cuisine. It is also an opportunity to showcase Hong Kong's skill in food and wine matching.
      
     Speaking at a media luncheon in the restaurant on June 18 (Bordeaux time), the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam, told guests that Hong Kong has continued to prosper over the past 20 years, enjoying the best of both worlds under the "one country, two systems" arrangement, and benefiting from its role as the "super-connector" between the Mainland of China and the rest of the world. 
      
     While discussing Hong Kong's considerable achievements over the past 20 years, she pointed out the abolition of duty on wine in 2008, leading to a surge in imports and Hong Kong’s development into the wine trading hub of Asia. 
      
     "We have concluded wine co-operation agreements with wine-producing countries like France, covering Bordeaux, Burgundy and, most recently, Champagne on April 27. These agreements facilitate co-operation in wine and related education and training, the culinary arts, tourism and trading activities," Ms Lam said.
      
     "Our population's interest in and knowledge of wine has greatly increased over the years, helped by events like the Hong Kong Tourism Board's hugely popular annual Wine and Dine Festival," she continued.
      
     "Hong Kong is a culinary paradise, where all kinds of cuisine can be found at their best, and we have many starred restaurants. We also have some of the most affordable Michelin-recommended restaurants, and some of the street food is so good it is also recommended in the guide," Ms Lam added.
      
     Ms Lam told the media that Hong Kong will be hosting series of events in Europe to celebrate the HKSAR's 20th anniversary and emphasised the importance of working with local and overseas partners for Hong Kong's continuous achievements.
 
Ends/Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:10
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Photo

A Hong Kong restaurant opened at Vinexpo in Bordeaux, France, on June 18 (Bordeaux time) to promote Hong Kong as Asia's culinary capital to French and international visitors. Photo shows the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam, (third left); the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Mr Anthony Lau (third right); chefs Mr Ting Wai-lam (first left) and Mr Yip Kar-on (second left) from the restaurant Guo Fu Lou; and chefs Mr Leung Fai-keung (second right) and Mr Mak Kwai-pui (first right) from the restaurant Tim Ho Wan in front of the Hong Kong restaurant at Vinexpo.
A Hong Kong restaurant opened at Vinexpo in Bordeaux, France, on June 18 (Bordeaux time) to promote Hong Kong as Asia's culinary capital to French and international visitors. The Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam (standing, left), briefed journalists on Hong Kong's role as a wine trading hub, the relationship between France and Hong Kong and celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region during a press lunch at the Hong Kong restaurant.
A Hong Kong restaurant opened at Vinexpo in Bordeaux, France, on June 18 (Bordeaux time) to promote Hong Kong as Asia's culinary capital to French and international visitors. Photo shows journalists attending the press lunch at the restaurant on the opening day.
A Hong Kong restaurant opened at Vinexpo in Bordeaux, France, on June 18 (Bordeaux time) to promote Hong Kong as Asia's culinary capital to French and international visitors. Photo shows chefs (from left) Mr Yip Kar-on, Mr Leung Fai-keung, Mr Jérôme Billot, Mr Mak Kwai-pui and Mr Ting Wai-lam who collaborated to prepare a special menu for the Hong Kong restaurant at Vinexpo.