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Quanzhou, China – 1 August 2025 – The Quanzhou Outdoor Catering Industry Association has unveiled its new culinary brand, "First Table: Quanzhou Heritage Banquet", a tribute to the city's rich food culture and cherished gu zao wei ("old-time flavours"). This signature banquet will make its international debut at the Hong Kong Food Expo in mid-August, marking a milestone in taking Quanzhou's traditional rural feasts from village courtyards to the global stage.
The brand name First Table (Jiá zhuō) comes from the Hokkien dialect phrase giàh zhuō, meaning "to share a banquet," and conveys a wish for good fortune. The menu honours the classic custom of opening and ending a banquet with sweet dishes, showcasing the finest flavours of Quanzhou's land and sea. Each course is rooted in seasonal produce, maritime traditions, and signature dishes from across the region, weaving culinary artistry with storytelling.
The banquet begins with Four Plates of Welcome – sun-dried mackerel for a taste of the sea, crispy Honglai chicken rolls for festive blessings, savoury pig's blood sausage, and tangy pickled radish to balance richness with freshness.
1.Centennial Harmony
Lotus seeds, lily bulbs, red dates, and snow fungus—slow-simmered to unlock timeless sweetness, symbolizing unity and renewal.
2.Tides of Life
Chilled Jinjiang octopus and sea conch—celebrating Quanzhou's maritime heritage and the resilience of coastal life.
3.Fortune in Full Sail
Spiced prawns grilled to golden perfection—a tribute to Quanzhou's entrepreneurial spirit.
4.Triple Blessings
Creamy taro paste, silky longevity noodles, and fragrant black rice—a trio of abundance and familial ties.
5.Dawn over the Waves
Red mushroom consommé with scallops and clams—awakening the palate like dawn over the sea.
6.Wind and Tide Rise Together
Abalone and truffle salad with seasonal greens—a toast to prosperity.
7.Golden Bounty
Shishi crab roe on egg custard—melding coastal luxury with timeless elegance.
8.Joyful Reunion
Braised chicken with bamboo fungus—celebrating kinship and festive cheer.
9.Clarity of Mind and Body
Ginger-infused pigeon and tripe—a nourishing dish for body and soul.
10.Harmony of Land and Sea
Sesame seafood balls and salted egg–baked yam—a celebration of unity in diversity.
11.Stroll Through Time
Steamed river eel with black bean sauce—a savory journey of adventure and comfort.
Desserts include Golden Bloom on the Sea – pineapple-infused seaweed jelly for prosperity, and Sweet Memories of Shishi – tender glutinous rice cakes offering a "sweet farewell."
For generations, xiang yan ("country banquets") have been a cherished part of Quanzhou's social life, prepared by xiang chu (village chefs) for weddings, festivals, and major gatherings. Now, guided by the Quanzhou Municipal Bureau of Commerce, these banquets are being reimagined as a flexible, high-quality culinary experience that blends heritage, local ingredients, and traditional hospitality with modern event formats. The First Table concept is adaptable for cultural tourism, sporting events, and conferences, supporting rural revitalisation, job creation, and the global promotion of Quanzhou cuisine.
The city has already launched 12 "One County, One Banquet" brands, as well as its first themed urban banquet, "Feast of Global Encounters." With industry support, Quanzhou's culinary presence is expanding beyond mainland China to Hong Kong, Macao, Indonesia, Malaysia, and other Southeast Asian destinations.
Building a global food brand
Plans are underway to enhance the banquet through standardisation, improved quality, and tourism integration. Initiatives include strengthening food safety systems, developing supply chain and cold chain capabilities, and introducing digital booking—allowing guests to reserve a chef and a banquet via mobile app.
"Quanzhou's food culture is constantly evolving," said Xu Xiaochun, a heritage cuisine expert with the China Cuisine Association and adviser to Quanzhou's UNESCO "City of Gastronomy" bid. "The First Table brand is not just a one-time event—it's the foundation for a sustainable, interconnected ecosystem for rural banquets, village chefs, and the outdoor catering industry."
From village kitchens to the Maritime Silk Road, the First Table: Quanzhou Heritage Banquet shares the warmth of community and the richness of local flavours with the world, one table at a time.
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