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Hong Kong Gala Dinner in Brussels showcases Hong Kong as gourmet destination (English only) (with photos)
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     A Gala Dinner held in Brussels on October 13 (Brussels time) to celebrate the friendship between Hong Kong and Belgium captured the imagination of its VIP guests by pairing Hong Kong-style Cantonese haute cuisine with some of the more uncommon Belgian beers.

     The Gala Dinner was organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) to celebrate the friendship between Hong Kong and Belgium and showcase Hong Kong as a gourmet destination.

     The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (SCED), Mr Gregory So, officiated at the event, which was held at the Egmont Palace, a prestigious heritage building owned by the Belgian government. Around 130 guests from the Belgian government, the European Union institutions, the diplomatic corps, the business sector, the hospitality industry and the media attended the event.

     The Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union (EU), Ms Shirley Lam, explained that one of the things that people in Hong Kong and Belgium share is a passion for good food.

     "We could think of no better way to celebrate our close ties with Belgium than a fine Cantonese banquet, prepared by the skilled chefs and students of our Chinese Culinary Institute (CCI) in Hong Kong with the support of a Hong Kong restaurant near Antwerp," Ms Lam said.  

     "To make it really special, we decided to pair each course with a different Belgian beer," she added.

     Guests were intrigued and delighted to taste the exquisite Chinese food with Belgian beers, and savoured the refined dishes of the CCI chefs, who came all the way from Hong Kong especially for the occasion.  

     The beers were selected by renowned Belgian sommelier and media personality Mr Eric Boschman, who worked closely with the CCI as it prepared the menu, also attending a tasting session to get the pairings right.

     In his speech, the SCED recounted the high-level exchanges that had taken between the two places in recent years, saying that Hong Kong and Belgium enjoyed close links.

     In addition to a shared passion for good food, both places shared aspirations for creativity, SCED said, adding that he looked forward to more exchanges between Hong Kong and Belgium in this area.

     Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Security and Home Affairs, Mr Jan Jambon, and the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Phil Hogan, delivered speeches at the dinner.

     Deputy Prime Minister Mr Jambon underlined Hong Kong's importance as the gateway to Mainland China and Asia, while European Commissioner Mr Hogan commended the excellent co-operation between the European Union and Hong Kong.

     Explaining the food and beer pairings to guests, sommelier Mr Boschman that it was an historic occasion, since it was the first time that Belgian beers had been served exclusively at an official dinner in Belgium.

     The event was further enhanced by some top Hong Kong-based musical talent, namely the RTHK Quartet and Sheng player Loo Sze-wang.

     The RTHK Quartet chose the occasion to perform the world premiere of a new work by Professor Chan Hing-yan, "Two Pieces of Cantonese Music", commissioned by the HKETO, Brussels. Guests were also entertained by award-winning sheng player Loo Sze-wang.  

     Cherished Cantonese opera master Yuen Siu Fai, who is leading the Spring Glory Cantonese Opera Workshop on a European tour organised by the HKETO, Brussels, gave an impromptu singing performance, the highlight of the dinner.

     To continue their gastronomic journey after the event, all guests received as a souvenir a commemorative booklet produced by the CCI, "The Taste of Old Hong Kong", detailing the gastronomic history and culture of Hong Kong, and a pair of Brand Hong Kong chopsticks to symbolise the close partnership of Hong Kong and Belgium.

Ends/Thursday, October 15, 2015
Issued at HKT 21:13

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