2016 Taiwan Gourmet Exhibition: A Grand Gathering of Local Celebrity Chefs’ Cuisine

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Department
 
The “2016 Taiwan Gourmet Exhibition” will be held from August 5 to 8 at Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1. It invites Hsinchu, Chiayi, and Taichung to create three flagship theme pavilions: “Breezy Zhubei County,” “Sunny Taiwan,” and “Seasonal Taiwan”! Before the opening, to give everyone a sneak peek at the charm of these three flagship pavilions, dozens of renowned chefs will be invited to showcase their skills by demonstrating seasonal menus for spring, summer, autumn, and winter in advance, interpreting the authentic flavors of Taiwan — “Eat Local, Eat Seasonal.”

Themed “The Pure Food Era,” the “2016 Taiwan Gourmet Exhibition” features six exhibition zones with 820 booths across more than 19 pavilions, making it the largest in scale to date. Among them, the 【Breezy Zhubei County Pavilion】, specially presented by Hsinchu County Government, showcases local characteristics. Utilizing the region’s unique strong northeasterly winds (“Cierhong Wind”), it employs the natural method of air-drying to remove moisture from food, extending shelf life while preserving nutrients. This, combined with Hakka culinary culture and the area’s beautiful mountains and waters, has given rise to distinctive products including pickled vegetables, Oriental Beauty tea, dried mullet roe, persimmon cakes, and ground tea.

The 【Sunny Taiwan Pavilion】 showcases Chiayi’s unique sun-drenched food culture, featuring products such as high-mountain tea and coffee beans from Alishan, and the ultra-sweet 15-degree Sweet Sister melons. Also on display are indispensable sun-dried delicacies like dried mullet roe, love beans, plums, and bamboo shoots — inviting all to savor the authentic and natural flavors of Chiayi.

At the “Seasonal Taiwan Pavilion,” meticulously created with the sponsorship of the Taichung City Government, 48 renowned chefs have also been invited to collaborate. Hotels and restaurants including Regent Taipei, Tai Earth Hotel, Taichung Marriott, and Chef Luo’s Szechuan Sauce Guest Cuisine will present complete “spring, summer, autumn, and winter” seasonal set menus on-site. These are paired with artistic tableware from JIA Inc, Taihua Kiln, Linglong Kiln, and installation displays from Fang Shilu Ang Glass Art Museum, creating a new era of dining aesthetics from visual to gustatory experience. In addition, more specially crafted private seasonal set menus will be exhibited at the “Seasonal Taiwan” Pavilion and sold simultaneously at the respective hotels and restaurants of the participating chefs. Seasonal set menus start at NT$660, with à la carte items starting at NT$110.
 

【Info】
2016 Taiwan Gourmet Exhibition
Venue: Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1
Dates: August 5–8, 09:30–17:30
Ticket Information:
 
Pre-sale Tickets
From now until August 5: NT$180 (purchase channels: 7-11, FamilyMart, Hi-Life, OK Mart ticket machines and UDN ticketing online)
 
On-site Tickets
Full Price: NT$200
Concession Price: NT$150 (for children aged 6–12, those between 120–150 cm tall, and seniors aged 65+)
Love Ticket: NT$100 (for individuals with a disability ID card and one accompanying person, tickets used separately)