FIFTH AMERICAN EXPRESS HONG KONG WINE & DINE FESTIVAL

OPENS TODAY AT NEW CENTRAL HARBOURFRONT

This evening (31 October) saw the opening ceremony of the four-day American Express Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival – a large-scale outdoor culinary event organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and sponsored by American Express International, Inc for the fifth consecutive year – at the New Central Harbourfront, a new venue for the event.

The ceremony was performed by Mr John Tsang, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR); Mr Gregory So, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong SAR; Dr Peter Lam, Chairman of the HKTB; Mr Arnaud Barthelemy, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau; Mr Andrew Wong, Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Commerce, Industry and Tourism) of the Hong Kong SAR; Mr Pierre Goguet, President of the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and representative of the Bordeaux International Wine and Dine Festival Organization, co-organiser of the festival; Mr Stephan Delaux, Deputy Mayor of Bordeaux; Mr Bernard Farges, President of the Bordeaux Wine Council; and Mr Y C Koh, President, Asia, American Express International, Inc, title sponsor of the American Express Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival and American Express Hong Kong Wine and Dine Month.

This year’s festival features about 300 stalls, offering wines from 16 countries and regions, and delicacies from around the world. It also includes various elements that are appearing in the festival for the first time, including the “Tasting Room”, which offers exclusive wine-appreciation classes and sampling of dishes created by top chefs for an international competition. The festival layout was redesigned for the new venue, with six themed zones. To ensure the quality and diversity of the wines on offer, they were carefully selected by wine critics and sommeliers.

Also for the first time, the HKTB is collaborating with the magazine Wine．Luxe to organise the “2013 Favourite Wine of Hong Kong Awards”, for festival-goers to vote for their favourite wine. Those who vote may get to sample a glass of French champagne. The wine with the most votes will be available for tasting later at the Wan Chai Queen’s Road East Festival, an American Express Hong Kong Wine and Dine Month event.

In addition to sumptuous food and wine, a cast of talented dancers, jazz musicians and bands will take over the main stage throughout the festival to wow the audience.

There are new ticketing arrangements for this year’s festival. There is an entrance fee of HK$30, and wine passes and wine tokens for wine tasting can be purchased separately. Festival-goers who pre-order their wine passes and/or “Tasting Room” tickets off-site get one free entry and enter the venue via the south entrance on Lung Wo Road, near MTR Admiralty Station.

Those who purchase tickets on-site are required to use the west entrance, near the Central Star Ferry pier. The HKTB encourages participants to take public transport.

The American Express Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival serves as the prelude to American Express Hong Kong Wine and Dine Month. Throughout November, numerous dining districts and the catering sector are offering food- and wine-themed activities, including the Wan Chai Queen’s Road East Festival, the Lei Yue Mun Seafood Festival and Lei Yue Mun Market, the Lan Kwai Fong Carnival, and the Stanley Plaza World of Food and Music.

During the promotional period, a number of hotels, restaurants and shopping malls are rolling out special offers, and the catering and travel sectors are launching culinary tours and special-interest classes. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council will also organise its signature Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Fair in the month. Through promoting all these exciting, delectable events, the HKTB hopes to provide visitors and locals residents with a full-bodied experience of Hong Kong, Asia’s culinary capital.

(Please refer to the attached factsheets for details of the American Express Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival and American Express Hong Kong Wine and Dine Month.)

Photo Caption 1

Performing the American Express Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival opening ceremony are Mr John Tsang, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR (centre), Mr Gregory So, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong SAR (third right), Dr Peter Lam, Chairman of the HKTB (fourth left), Mr Arnaud Barthelemy, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau (third left), Mr Andrew Wong, Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Commerce, Industry and Tourism) of the Hong Kong SAR (second left), Mr Pierre Goguet, President of the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and representative of the Bordeaux International Wine and Dine Festival Organization (fourth right), and Mr Y C Koh, President, Asia, American Express International, Inc, (far right), among other guests.

Officiating guests and representatives of major sponsors and supporting organisations of the American Express Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival grace the event’s opening ceremony.

Up-and-coming actress Cherry Ngan and 50 young dancers offer a spectacular performance at the opening ceremony.

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