“Macau Slow Food Awards 2010” and “Macau Slow Food Gala Dinner 2010” were held today at Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT). The event was open to public; students, lecturers and VIPs were in attendance to support this meaningful event. This event which included Cocktail Party, Award Ceremony and Gala Dinner was organized by Tourism and Event Management Year 2 students of IFT. Purpose of the event was to promote the Slow Food Philosophy – Organic food, clean producing method and fair trade to general public. Another purpose of the event was to educate public to respect traditional cooking methods and food sources; and to help them build up a healthy dining attitude. The event was first started by non-profit organization in 1989 in Italy, named the Slow Food Association. Being the highlight of the event, “Macau Slow Food Awards 2010” presented 15 awards to local restaurants, pastries, cake shops and food suppliers as recognition of their contribution on slow food culture. The 15 awards included “The Best Slow Food Western Restaurant”, “The Best Slow Food Chinese Restaurant”, “The Best Slow Food Asian Restaurant”, “The Best Slow Food Pastry/Cake Shop” and “The Best Slow Food Supplier”. The Gold, Silver, Bronze Awardees were as follow respectively: Western Restaurant: Clube Militar de Macau, Solman Restaurant, Westin Panorama; Chinese Restaurant: Long Wa Restaurant, Wong Chi Kei Congee & Noodle, Casa de Pasto Seng Cheong; Asian Restaurant : Nagoyaka Tei, Mango Tree, Hon Seng Korean Restaurant; Pastry/ Cake Shop: Goz Café, Café e Nata Margaret’s, MGM Patisserie; Food Supplier: Hop Yick Foods Company Limited, Akiyama Food Company Limited, Cheang Chong Kei Frozen Food Company Ltd. The awardees said that they would try their best to contribute to Slow Food Philosophy. Award presenters were President of Macau Slow Food Association - Dr. Baudouin Neirynck, Head of Division of Cultural Facilities – Mr. Lui Chi Pang, Director of Caritas Macau – Mr. Pun Chi Ming, Paul, General Association of Chinese Students of Macau – Mr. Iao Tin, and Head of Macao Civil Power – Ms Agnes Lam. After the Award Ceremony, the Gala Dinner was held at Educational Restaurant, IFT. All food materials were imported from China or produced locally; Also, the cooking methods of the food was in accordance to the Slow Food Philosophy and with Macanese local culture. Local singers, bands, dancers as well as magician were invited to perform at the event which makes the night as enjoyable and memorable one. In spite of this Award Ceremony, Slow Food Association Macau Section is going to be set up in Macau this year, with the mission of promoting Slow Food Culture in Macau.
