In addition to attracting international tourists with beautiful scenery and culture, the government must strive to improve the safety and quality of Taiwan's food and make the island a gastronomic paradise for visitors, Premier Mao Chi-kuo said today.
After a briefing by the Tourism Bureau on its preparations for the 2015 Taiwan Culinary Exhibition, to be held at the Taipei World Trade Center July 17-20, Premier Mao said Taiwan's gourmet food culture is a highly lauded subject in foreign media reports and can help increase the island's tourism and international exposure.
The exhibition, which had been staged 24 times since its inception in 1989, is resuming after a two-year hiatus. This year's event involves the concerted efforts of various ministries, including the Council of Agriculture (COA), which put emphasis on local ingredients and seasonal foods. The COA also included small-scale farmers in this exhibition and added more value to agricultural products to appeal to the gourmands.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), meanwhile, is spotlighting souvenir gifts and will use the exhibition as a platform for bringing Taiwanese cuisine to the world. The Ministry of Culture has planned a section to showcase the nation's unique food ware. Mao asked other ministries and local governments to take advantage of the event to promote Taiwan's gastronomic culture.
This year's exhibit, bearing the theme "Taiwan's Fine Food Era," features five areas of Food Art, Food Utensils, Food Stuff, Food Journey and Souvenir Gifts. It will be the largest-ever exhibit with more than 200 organizations in 16 pavilions displaying their products and wares. These organizations include central and local government agencies, hotels, restaurants, transport businesses, kitchenware companies, souvenir shops and bakeries. This will be an opportunity for Taiwan to flex its culinary muscles from farm to table.