A Feast of Global Encounters

　　Quanzhou Launches Its First Municipal Signature Banquet: A Feast of Global Encounters (市井十洲宴)

　　A Culinary Symphony of Nostalgia, Heritage, and Global Flair

　　Infused with nostalgia, cultural storytelling, and international refinement, the banquet featured ten signature dishes representing the spirit of Quanzhou cuisine. Developed collaboratively over the past year by leading chefs and cultural scholars, the banquet draws upon local ingredients and cross-regional techniques. It marks a landmark in sharing Quanzhou’s culinary heritage with a global audience.

　　Culinary Storytelling: Where Tradition Meets the World

　　Conceptual Foundations

　　Rooted in Quanzhou’s “One County, One Table” initiative, the banquet is a curated narrative of local taste, maritime history, and global connection. Each dish serves as a cultural bridge, showcasing the depth of Quanzhou’s culinary heritage and its openness to the world.

　　1. Welcome Tea: Aromatic Oolong Ceremony

　　迎客茶《执玉来朝 清香乌龙茶》

　　A tribute to Minnan tea hospitality and Fujian’s tea diplomacy legacy, this ceremonial tea sets the tone for cultural warmth and refined beginnings.

　　2. Starter: Scallop Medley with Three Treasures

　　簪花风韵 澳带拼三珍

　　A delicate fusion of land and sea, this dish draws inspiration from the Song Dynasty hairpin tradition, reflecting beauty, refinement, and creativity.

　　3. Nostalgic Flavour: Hokkien Beef Brisket Soup

　　烟火乡愁 侨乡牛肉羹

　　Blending tradition and emotion, this hearty soup reconnects the diaspora with their roots, echoing the smoky comfort of childhood kitchens.

　　4. Cultural Icon: Grandma’s Ginger Duck

　　神清境明 古早味姜母鸭

　　Slow-braised and richly aromatic, this dish revives a time-honoured Minnan classic that embodies family legacy and memory.

　　5. Textural Harmony: Quanzhou Rice Noodle Porridge

　　千丝万缕 泉州面线糊

　　A silky, thread-like noodle porridge that transforms everyday tradition into edible poetry — a signature of Quanzhou's culinary finesse.

　　Global Contextualisation

　　Quanzhou’s culinary tradition, shaped by centuries of maritime exchange, reflects deep Chinese roots while embracing Southeast Asian and Islamic influences — the living expression of the Minnan spirit.

　　6. Memory Dish: Steamed Pomfret with Preserved Cured vegetables (时光余味 老菜脯蒸鲳鱼)

　　时光余味 老菜脯蒸鲳鱼

　　Evoking the layered flavours of home, this nostalgic entrée reinterprets a beloved family dish that links generations across oceans.

　　7. Innovation Showcase: Braised Golden Abalone

　　山海交响 红烧黄金鲍

　　A luxurious fusion of regional bounty and refined French technique, highlighting Quanzhou's ambition to blend tradition with culinary modernity.

　　8. Scholar’s Tribute: Mountain Elegance Dish

　　毓秀崔巍 山家清进贤菜

　　Inspired by the elegance of nature and the quiet strength of literati ideals, this dish embodies introspection and poetic beauty.

　　Strategic Vision

　　Through its municipal banquet, Quanzhou positions itself as a global culinary and cultural hub, guided by three interlinked strategies:

　　Global Storytelling:

　　Leveraging food as soft power to promote city branding, foster cultural diplomacy, and enhance international awareness.

　　Economic Development:

　　Empowering local food businesses under the campaign:

　　“Cuisine for the People, Cuisine to Benefit and Enrich the People”

　　Cultural Confidence:

　　Reclaiming heritage through creativity and hospitality, the banquet showcases the emotional resonance and modern vitality of Minnan cuisine.

　　“This banquet isn’t just a meal — it’s a sensory invitation into Quanzhou’s soul,”

　　remarked a city official.