Organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and title-sponsored by China Construction Bank (Asia), the opening party will be held at the runway of the former Hong Kong International Airport from 30 October to 2 November. Offering over 1,000 culinary items, including wine selected by certified sommeliers, award-winning Chinese dishes and creations by Michelin-starred 
chefs, the event is set to be a sumptuous feast. For the first time, the “Country Pavilion” zone will be home to six wine-themed streets and villages to take the partygoers on a global wine journey. And better yet, entrance to the event is free this year, and free shuttle bus service will be provided by the HKTB between the venue and various public transport interchanges to allow more visitors and local residents to take part in the event – one of the best of its kind in Hong Kong and the region.
HKTB Chairman Dr Peter Lam said: “The opening party at Kai Tak will be the curtain raiser for this year’s CCB (Asia) Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival. The HKTB has specially decorated the party venue as an urban garden, so that guests can enjoy world-class wine and cuisine in a relaxing environment right next to the iconic Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. We have also invited media from all over the world to attend and cover the event, and developed food- and wine-themed tourism products in partnership with our trade partners to promote Hong Kong as the culinary capital of Asia. Incidentally, Kai Tak will welcome a cruise liner during the festival period, and we will actively encourage passengers onboard to join our party. We sincerely thank all exhibitors for their participation, as well as all of our sponsors, particularly China Construction Bank (Asia), who is title-sponsoring the event for the first time, Cathay Pacific Airways, the Airport Authority Hong Kong, related government departments and other supporting organisations.”
Chief Executive Officer of China Construction Bank (Asia) Mr Mao Yumin said: “This year, we are delighted to be the title sponsor of the CCB (Asia) Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, joining hands with the HKTB to promote this spectacular annual event. CCB (Asia) was founded in Hong Kong in 1912. Over the past 100 years, the bank has witnessed the rapid development of Hong Kong and grown alongside the city. To celebrate the spirit and savour the vibrancy of this international metropolis, we are always committed to supporting local signature events. I hope all visitors of the Wine & Dine Festival Opening Party will enjoy the culinary delights and quality wine with their family and friends in front of Hong Kong’s newest landmark, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, making the event a great success.”
The four-day party is open to the public for free. For wine-tasting, visitors can purchase wine passes or wine tokens at the venue. Wine passes and tickets to the “Tasting Room” can also be purchased in advance at Cityline booking and designated spots.
To provide visitors and local residents with greater convenience, the HKTB has arranged for free shuttle bus service to run between the venue and the MTR Lam Tin station frequently.
Free shuttle bus service is also available at MTR Kowloon Tong and East Tsim Sha Tsui stations. In addition, during the festival period, the service of bus number 5R and minibus number 86, which link the venue with MTR Ngau Tau Kok station and Telford Plaza, respectively, will be enhanced, while some of the Big Bus tours will make a special stop at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. Since no private parking will be allowed at the venue, the HKTB encourages members of the public to use the shuttle bus service and public transport to get to the venue.
A party of four days, four highlights:
A lush garden in the city: The venue, situated right next to the state-of-the-art Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, will be decorated as a colourful garden for the partygoers to take a breather from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Exhilarating performances will be staged to offer a “full body” experience.
Themed wine streets/villages: The partygoers will find themselves exploring different parts of the world as they stroll along various themed streets/villages in the “Country Pavilion” zone, including a wine village dedicated to Bordeaux, an izakaya street, a Latin American street showcasing wine from Argentina and Chile, and streets for Europe & France, Italy and Georgia.
An elevated wine appreciation experience: Riedel Crystal, a household name in the world of wine, will host a wine-tasting class in the “Tasting Room”. Participants will learn to appreciate Australian wine and take home a special-edition Riedel wine glass set which will appear in Asia for the first time. In addition, the HKTB will roll out two types of “wine passes for two”, available from HK$450, which will come with a pair of champagne glasses or a decanter to give wine lovers extra delight.
A taste of Michelin and award-winning delicacies: The Hong Kong Culinary Team which won the championship at last year’s Salon Culinaire Mondial will join forces with a chef from a Michelin-starred restaurant, who is visiting Hong Kong for the first time from France, to create a “crossover” dinner. Also available at the festival are various reinterpreted traditional Chinese dishes which won the Best of the Best Culinary Awards this year.
Following the four-day party is the month-long CCB (Asia) Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival. Throughout November, major dining districts and other members of the catering trade will roll out a host of culinary programmes, including Stanley Plaza World of Food and Music 2014, and a Wine Tasting Party at Fashion Walk. Furthermore, a number of hotels and restaurants will provide visitors and local residents with different dining privileges so that they can fully soak in the delectable scents and flavours of the culinary capital of Asia.
Adding to the wine-and-dine experience will be the Hong Kong Pulse 3D Light Show, a sensational 3D mapping show featuring the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Clock Tower from 29 October to 16 November. It promises to be a feast for the eyes!