MGTO & Le Meridien come together to organise Macanese Food Festival

Macau Government Tourist Office in India and Le Meridien New Delhi, have joined hands to organise a week-long Macanese Food Festival in Delhi from 22 to 31, August. It is the first time that a hotel in India is organising Macanese food festival.

Macau cuisine is unique to Macau and is a blend of Southern Chinese and Portuguese cuisine. It also carries the influence of Southeast Asian and Lusophone cuisines. The seasonings in the Macanese cuisines feature European, Latin American, African, Indian and Chinese influence. The week-long Macanese food event will showcase some of the popular dishes of Macau, viz. African Chicken, Tacho – a hearty stew of Chinese vegetables and different meats; Galinha Portuguesa – Chicken cooked in the oven with potatoes, onions, egg and saffron; Minchi – minced beef with fried potatoes, soy, etc.; and a variety of soups, wines and desserts.

Recounting his visit to Macau a few months back, Tarun Thakral, Chief Operating Officer, Le Meridien said that he has been planning a food festival of Macanese food ever since his visit to Macau. “We certainly have Macanese cuisine as one of the options as we reopen two restaurants after renovations,” informs Thakral.

Three Macanese Chefs under David Wong, Executive Assistant Manager, Institute of Tourism Studies, Macau, were flown down from Macau for the food fiesta. Speaking to HospitalityBiz, Wong said that Macanese food is the real fusion food. “The Macanese cuisine is a combination of Chinese and Portuguese cuisines. A lot of African, Indian and Malaysian spices are added to the cuisine. Macau is a place where many cultures met. Hence, our cuisine is quite colourful and is a combination of all the cultures and food habits,” says Wong. He added that Goan food is similar to Macanese food due to the coastal state’s Portuguese connections.