Quanzhou Evening News, January 21 – As part of its bid for UNESCO's coveted "City of Gastronomy" designation, Quanzhou is preparing to introduce a citywide signature banquet that celebrates its rich culinary heritage. On January 20, the Quanzhou City of Gastronomy Task Force convened a high-level symposium, bringing together top culinary experts and industry leaders from across the province and city.

　　Inspired by the ancient verse, "Through misty mountains and Baiyue trails, the markets bustle with traders from far and wide," the forum aimed to define a banquet that best encapsulates Quanzhou's distinctive regional cuisine. This initiative aligns with the city's broader strategy to integrate its gastronomic traditions into economic development, positioning Quanzhou cuisine as a key driver of both agricultural and manufacturing industries while reinforcing the city's status as a world-class cultural destination.

　　Experts and industry leaders gather to discuss strategies for promoting Quanzhou cuisine.

　　This spring, the official citywide banquet will debut, refining and elevating local specialties through the "One County, One Banquet" initiative. Designed for diverse occasions-including weddings, celebrations, business events, and tourism-the banquet will serve as a cornerstone of a cohesive culinary branding strategy, linking farm-to-table production with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. The goal is to strengthen Quanzhou's food industry, support rural revitalization, and stimulate growth in related sectors such as food processing, hospitality, and tourism.

　　At the symposium, experts discussed the strategic promotion of Quanzhou's cuisine. Hu Manrong, executive vice chairman of the China Chefs Committee and chairman of the Fujian Culinary Association, unveiled the banquet's first edition, highlighting its carefully curated selection of local ingredients and its balance between health-conscious preparation and exquisite flavors drawn from both land and sea.

　　This initiative represents a significant milestone in Quanzhou's journey toward global culinary recognition, underscoring the city's deep-rooted food culture and ongoing innovation in the gastronomic arts.