Living up to the UNESCO accolade “Creative City of Gastronomy” may feel like a pressure cooker for some destinations.
But that’s not the case for Macau, whose Macanese fusion cuisine exemplifies the city as a crossroads for Portuguese and Chinese heritage. As part of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, designated creative cities must establish gastronomy as a catalyst for cultural diversity and develop innovative best practices to promote creative industries, participation in cultural life and integration of culture into sustainable growth models. Groups can sample Macau’s heritage bite for bite across Sands Resorts Macao’s five resorts.
Try a Portuguese egg tart pastry class (served with Chinese tea) where attendees will make tarts and learn of the treat’s historical significance, or the “Ultimate Chef Challenge,” an intense cooking challenge. This one has been followed up with a “Be Our Guest” gastronomy dance act and other cultural culinary performances. Gene Capuano, SVP of conventions & Venetian operations for the property, says attendees flying in for an event should also expect a dash of the familiar.
“Sands Resorts Macao hosts MICE groups from around the world, so we always take into consideration the diverse cuisines and cultural expectations. From the United States to India, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Australia and many European and Middle Eastern Countries, we are able to prepare international cuisines in order to serve these markets and exceed the expectations of multinational guests.”
Off-site, Macao’s culinary flair is also on display during the Macao Food Festival, which lures international chefs and nearly a million people every year, and at the International Film Festival and Awards Macao, where films often explore cultural through the senses.
