Integrated resort operator Wynn has recently collaborated with renowned Chinese master chef Xue Quansheng to reimagine a royal banquet and host a masterclass. The events aimed to celebrate the intangible cultural heritage of Chinese gastronomy while solidifying Macau’s position as a top international travel destination.
In partnership with the Yangzhou Cuisine and Catering Industry Association, Wynn invited Chef Xue to Macau as a guest chef for the Emperor Qianlong’s “Culinary Journey to the South” Royal Banquet held at the Wynn Macau Grand Ballroom on June 15–16.
A culinary team led by Chef Xue, who is ranked among China’s top 10 celebrity chefs and is an expert in Huaiyang cuisine, prepared a sumptuous menu consisting of 36 dishes for the banquet. Huaiyang cuisine, renowned as one of the four great traditions in Chinese cuisine, originated from the culinary styles of the Huai and Yangtze rivers region.
“The Royal Banquet has given our guests an opportunity to experience how China’s extraordinary history and intangible cultural heritage are closely intertwined, while also strengthening Macau’s role as ‘a base for cultural exchange and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist’,” Linda Chen, the president, President, Vice Chairman and Executive Directo of Wynn Macau, stated.
The menu for the royal banquet drew inspiration from historical records documenting Emperor Qianlong’s six inspection tours during the Qing Dynasty in the southern regions of the Yangtze River. Chef Xue and his team added modern and innovative twists to the dishes.
Notable items from the menu included the exquisitely prepared Velvet Flower Tofu Soup, which showcased the chefs’ intricate knife skills, the Royal Artisan Fruit Platter, and the Stewed Ducks and Pigeon Soup featuring seven distinct flavours.
To enhance the banquet experience, Wynn arranged performances that incorporated culinary storytelling. The chefs also showcased their culinary artistry by demonstrating their Huaiyang knife skills and preparing authentic Yangzhou-style fried rice.
“This event has also given us the unique opportunity to promote the profound traditional culture of China on an international level,” Wynn’s Chen remarked. “[It also helps] encourage greater cross-integration of culture and tourism, add to the allure of Macau as a rich cultural destination, and contribute to the growth of economic diversification for the city.”
In addition to the banquet, Chef Xue hosted a culinary masterclass attended by about 30 students from the Macao University of Tourism (UTM) and members of the Wynn Food & Beverage Academy. The academy was established by Wynn Macau to provide its employees with professional and vocational training in relevant areas.
“The Masterclass served as an excellent platform for the exchange of knowledge in gastronomy and was designed to lead the way for a more diversified and professional developmental approach for the future growth of Macau’s food and beverage industry,” Wynn said in a statement.
Culinary fest
Both the banquet and the masterclass, supported by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and UTM, took place, as MGTO hosted the first-ever “International Cities of Gastronomy Fest, Macao” between June 14 and 23 in the city.
The 10-day festival featured representatives from 29 UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy from 18 countries and regions, in addition to Macau, which is also a Creative City of Gastronomy. The Fest attracted about 107,000 participants and boasted about 100 culinary booths, 60 sessions of culinary showcases, and a gastronomy forum.
As one of the co-organisers of the festival, Wynn set up a culinary exhibition booth at the Fest to showcase Macanese cuisine and collaborated with renowned Macanese chef Raymond Vong to host cooking demonstrations.
“Through events such as these, Wynn aims to leverage Macau’s unique role as an East-West cultural destination and international platform,” the integrated resort operator said in the statement, referring to the city’s recent designation as the “Culture City of East Asia”.
Earlier this month, the Macau government announced that the city had been selected as the “Culture City of East Asia 2025.” This annual initiative, jointly launched by China, Japan, and South Korea, highlights the historical and cultural heritage of these three countries. Each year, one or two cities from each country are nominated and selected as the Culture Cities of East Asia.
“[These events can help] promote the exchange of knowledge and forge new collaborations in culture and tourism, showcase Macau as a ‘Creative City of Gastronomy’ and ‘Culture City of East Asia’ on a global level, and elevate the city’s reputation as an attractive international destination,” Wynn added.
*This article is part of the MNA Wynn Macau Tourism Plus Partnership Series
