From November 29 to December 1, 2024, the Inaugural China (Quanzhou) MSR Snack Festival and International Food Carnival was successfully held in Quanzhou, organized by the China Cuisine Association and Quanzhou Cultural Tourism Group. This three-day event was the largest and most influential food festival to date in the city, included in the Ministry of Commerce's 2024 "Chinese Food Festival" and the "Service Consumption Season" series of events.

　　Themed "Song and Yuan Quanzhou: A Feast of the Maritime Silk Routes", the festival featured four key components: the First Silk Road Snack Festival, the Sixth Snack Industry Development Conference, and the Maritime City Salon. The Silk Road Snack Festival stood out, with over 120 booths and 500 distinctive dishes from around the world, offering a rich and exciting gastronomic experience for both residents and tourists.

　　In addition to the snack festival, the event showcased Quanzhou’s Signature Dishes of Each County" culinary project, which highlighted the city’s culinary innovation, blending traditional and modern techniques to reflect its deep cultural heritage. This effort directly supports Quanzhou's bid for the UNESCO City of Gastronomy title.

　　Highlights of the Event: Four Themed Zones Offering Unique Flavors

　　The venue was bustling with activity, attracting huge crowds. Each of the four themed food zones presented a distinct culinary experience.

　　"Four Corners of the World: The Flavors of the Maritime Silk Routes": This zone featured cuisine from countries along the Belt and Road Initiative, showcasing the diverse flavors and culinary cultures linked by the ancient trade routes. A vendor from Anhui expressed their excitement: "We are thrilled to be in Quanzhou to share our local flavors with the people here."

　　"Taste of Quanzhou: A City of Rich Culinary Heritage": This zone brought to life the ancient flavors of Quanzhou, displaying iconic local dishes from time-honored brands and intangible cultural heritage food items. It attracted a significant number of visitors who were eager to sample these traditional delights.

　　"A Culinary Adventure: A Feast for the Taste Buds": This section beautifully illustrated the exchange and fusion of Chinese and international culinary cultures, where local chefs and international food vendors collaborated to create a feast for the eyes and palate.

　　"Song and Yuan Quanzhou: A Feast of the Maritime Silk Routes": The most popular area of the event, where visitors could enjoy steaming pots of soup and dishes made from ingredients sourced globally. The space was beautifully decorated with "Citrus Blossom" art installations, becoming a favorite photo spot.

　　"Signature Dishes of Each County" Showcases Quanzhou’s Unique Culinary Heritage

　　Quanzhou's geographical advantage as a coastal city with rich agricultural resources is reflected in its diverse and exquisite cuisine. With a strong cultural connection to the Maritime Silk Routes, Quanzhou has developed a unique culinary identity that blends ancient traditions with modern influences. During the festival, Quanzhou highlighted its "Signature Dishes of Each County" initiative, showcasing distinctive local dishes such as:

　　· Licheng "Citrus Blossom Banquet"

　　· Fengze "Floral Banquet"

　　· Luojiang "Luo Shui Xian Shan Feast"

　　· Quangang "Longevity Banquet"

　　· Shishi "Song-Yuan Maritime Silk Routes Feast"

　　· Jinjiang "Jin Yi Ancient Feast"

　　· Nan'an "Success Banquet"

　　· Hui'an "Hui Women’s Family Feast"

　　· Anxi "Xiangfu Family Feast"

　　· Yongchun "Kuixing Feast"

　　· Dehua "Porcelain City Feast"

　　· Taiwan Business District "Zheng He Family Feast"

　　These distinctive dishes offered an immersive experience of Quanzhou’s culinary richness, creating a "tour for the taste buds" and introducing visitors to the local food culture in a truly unique way.

　　Festival Contributes to Quanzhou’s Bid for UNESCO "City of Gastronomy"

　　In recent years, Quanzhou has made significant strides in developing its snack and food industry, emphasizing the preservation and innovation of traditional culinary skills. This effort has been recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which named Quanzhou one of China’s Top Ten Culinary Tourism Cities in 2023. The festival not only showcased Quanzhou’s rich food resources and culinary techniques but also marked a key milestone in the city’s efforts to become a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

　　Since July 2023, Quanzhou has been actively working on its application, establishing the Quanzhou Culinary Industry Development Association, building a Quanzhou Food Museum, and implementing various policy initiatives to foster growth in the food and creative industries. The festival, hosted in the crucial phase of this application, further reinforced Quanzhou’s vision of becoming a global culinary hub, leveraging its deep-rooted gastronomic traditions to attract attention and support for the bid.

　　Through collaborations with the China Cuisine Association and the World Federation of Chinese Catering Industry, Quanzhou has laid a solid foundation for talent development, policy support, and cultural exchange, helping to strengthen its culinary brand and expand its influence. The festival will undoubtedly serve as a catalyst for further growth, as Quanzhou continues its journey toward becoming a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

　　Reporter：DUAN Huidan