The 2024 Global Food Market kicked off at the Bund Financial Center on June 29. [Photo/eastday.com]

The 2024 Shanghai Global Food Market kicked off at the Bund Financial Center on June 29, showcasing a vibrant array of over 90 restaurants hailing from more than 20 countries and regions.

This two-day culinary celebration not only brought together iconic eateries and esteemed chefs, but also heralded the commencement of Shanghai Summer International Consumption Season, promising a sensory feast for all attendees.

Among the distinguished establishments featured at the market were culinary gems like Mercado 505 (offering Spanish cuisine), Jean Georges (serving up French delicacies), and Nanlu Huiguan (known for its delectable Hangzhou cuisine). Notably, the market also spotlighted must-try dining spots listed in the prestigious 2024 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide curated by Meituan-Dianping, China's foremost restaurant review and group-buying service.

Adding to the culinary tapestry were leading brands in the food seasoning industry, such as Heinz and Maggi, who unveiled a diverse range of global flavor collaborations at the market. Wine enthusiasts were treated to a selection of award-winning wines from the Shanghai International Wine Challenge 2024, presented by the Global Hub at the Shanghai Free Trade Zone's Waigaoqiao. Additionally, Vina Santa Carolina, one of Chile's prominent wineries, showcased a collection of Chilean-flavored wines that were complemented by an assortment of cheeses from renowned brands like Valent, Cheese Doctor, La Forna, Enbolu, and Pinewood.

Meituan, a key co-organizer of the event, joined forces with eight top-rated bars featured in the Meituan Bar Guide to orchestrate a City Drink event, offering patrons a taste of a range of libations.

Moreover, the event spotlighted Shanghai's recent initiatives to promote healthy drinking habits. The city recently introduced China's pioneering grading system, which evaluates the nutritional value of beverages, aiming to guide residents towards more informed and health-conscious drink choices. The Nutri-Grade system, overseen by the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, assesses beverages on a scale from A to D based on their content of key nutrients like added sugar, saturated fat, trans fat, and non-sugar sweeteners. Brands like Heytea, Nayuki, Tims, and Bright Dairy, all of which are early adopters of the Nutri-Grade system, showcased their rated products the event.

As part of the ongoing Shanghai Global Gourmet Festival, which is set to continue until November, the festivities at BFC are just the beginning. Future events include the unveiling of the "Must-eat List" by Meituan-Dianping, an international cheese festival in August, and a Green Dining Week at Xintiandi in October, promising a calendar full of delights for residents and visitors alike.

Sources: xinmin.cn, eastday.com