No Eating Food Expo…

With the weather hot, wet and miserable the no eating Food Expo, which runs from 11-15 August, looks very enticing – crowded though it will be.

As usual there’s a cornucopia of edible delights and special promotions to enjoy. Many of the companies were still building their stalls at today’s media walk-through but here are a few things, amidst the mounds of mooncakes and noodles, that caught our eye.

Social enterprise company Hello Cocoa makes speciality chocolate items while supporting and employing Hongkongers with special education needs.

For those tired, at the end of a long day, there’s Trevijano‘s range of healthy premade risottos, couscous, and quinoas. Each packet is good for 3-4 people and they look delicious – we have yet to taste the cooked versions – and a simple way to add variety and flavour to any meal.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/20220810-Food-Expo-2022/i-QdbqXNt

Absolutely the cutest item on sale at this year’s Food Expo is the Propolia bee (S69).

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/20220810-Food-Expo-2022/i-H2PX5T8

Local cookie company Cookieism have an expo promotion on their tasty, but small, American cookies: 5 cookies and another item for $100.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/20220810-Food-Expo-2022/i-mSfjNWK

For something a little different… Black Churros

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/20220810-Food-Expo-2022/i-6vhHtTK

On the 3/F there is a wide assortment of massage chairs and foot massagers on display/sale – and while the chairs will be too big for many flats the idea of having a foot massager at home to help relieve the many stresses in today’s Hong Kong is very appealing.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/20220810-Food-Expo-2022/i-rbfXFGc

Fancy a Korean BBQ at home several appliance companies have home BBQ machines on display/sale.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/20220810-Food-Expo-2022/i-FvFsXKG

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/20220810-Food-Expo-2022/i-26fGJK5

Food Expo, Hong Kong International Tea Fair, Beauty & Wellness Expo, Home Delights Expo
When:
 10am, 11-15 August, 2022
Where:
HK Convention & Exhibition Centre
Tickets:
 $25 from HKTicketing/Octopus App

images: bc magazine

Book Fair Health Risks

The Hong Kong Book Fair is by far the SAR’s largest exhibition with over a million visitors attending last year looking for a bargain or three amongst the plethora of books on sale.

This year’s fair is the first ‘big’ public event in the city post Wuhan virus, and quite simply the HKTDC seem more interested in money than the safety of HongKongers attending the event.

The hygiene and social distancing measures leave a lot to be desired and there are apparently no limits on visitor numbers at the fair. A perfect super virus incubator… with no way to track or trace those who come into contact with an infected person.

The “Reading the World • Inspiring the Mind and Refreshing the Soul” themed fair offers a bit of everything from the casual reader looking for a summer/virus page-turner to the parent looking to drag their child away from a screen. Prices are cheap, and there will be lots of special items and box sets.

The new National Security Law will cause problems for sellers, at least one publisher has already decided not to sell some books at the fair. And you can surely expect a high profile smackdown during the fair of a publisher selling books some insecure twat in Beijing finds too truthful for his liking.

We at bc love the Book Fair, but this year our advice is to stay at home the health risks just aren’t worth it.

Hong Kong Book Fair
Date: 15-21 July 2020
Venue: HK Convention and Exhibition Centre
Tickets: $25
More info:
15-16 July 2020 (Wed-Thur) – 10am-10pm
17-18 July 2020 (Fri-Sat) – 10am-midnight
19-20 July 2020 (Sun-Mon) – 10am-8pm
21 July 2020 (Tue) – 9am-5pm

photos: hkbookfair

44th Hong Kong International Film Festival New Dates

The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) have announced the new dates for the 44th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF44) which will now be held from the 18-31 August 2020.

No information has been released as to whether the new dates will also include Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF18).

In announcing the new dates Executive Director Albert Lee said HKIFFS had decided to re-launch HKIFF44 after the Hong Kong government began easing the COVID-19 restrictive measures, including allowing local cinemas to re-open.

“We are cautiously optimistic that Hong Kong is gradually returning to normal from the health crisis,” said Mr Lee.  “I am pleased that we have not stopped our preparation since the postponement.  The prospects of being able to bring back HKIFF44 to our audience are exciting.  Nothing beats the big-screen experience of watching a diverse selection of films from around the world.”

The full programme of films will be announced on the 28 July with tickets going on sale from the 5 August through URBTIX.

44th Hong Kong International Film Festival
Date:
18-31 August, 2020
Venue: various
Tickets: tbc

For latest updates of HKIFF44 and Cine Fan programmes, www.hkiff.org.hk and www.cinefan.com.hk.  For information about HAF18, www.haf.org.hk.

Postponement of HKIFF44 and HAF18, Cancellation of Cine Fan April/May edition

The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society have announced the postponement of the 44th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF44) and the 18th Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF18) in response to the recent novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

In making the announcement, HKIFFS Executive Director Albert Lee confirms that the Society’s two flagship events, both scheduled to start in less than six weeks, will be postponed to the summer of 2020.  However, the April/May edition of the year-round Cine Fan repertory programme has been cancelled.

“We hope to be able to share more information regarding a postponed HKIFF44 following discussions with screenings venues, as well as our many stakeholders, partners and sponsors,” said Lee.

HAF director Jacob Wong said plans are on track to hold HAF18 during the 24th Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART), which the Hong Kong Trade Development Council has just postponed to 27-29 August.

“Besides, we are still going ahead with HAF Goes to Cannes which takes place during Cannes Film Festival in May,” said Wong.  “We will announce the selected projects for this initiative in late March.”

Lee added that the postponement of HKIFF44 and HAF18 was not an easy decision to make.  “We see the need to make a socially-responsible decision and not to put the public’s safety and well-being at risk,” he said.  “Our prayers are for those who are affected by the novel coronavirus outbreak and to wish them a full and speedy recovery.”

For latest updates of HKIFF44 and Cine Fan programmes, www.hkiff.org.hk and www.cinefan.com.hk.  For information about HAF18, www.haf.org.hk.

Explore the World of Wine & Spirits

This year’s Wine & Spirits Fair at the HKCEC runs from the 8-10 November and features pavilions from wine-producing regions, trade organisations and governmental organisations. There are new pavilions from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Sichuan Council, the Department of Commerce of Zhejiang Province, Ningxia’s General Office of Administrative Committee of Grape Industry Zong of Helan Mountain’s East Foothill Wine Region, the Czech Grape and Wine Producer Association, Gifu Prefecture and the Niigata Sake Brewers’ Association from Japan, and Peru.

If you’re not a wine lover or fancy something different there is Liquor & Beverage Products Zone, a Whisky and Spirits Zone and a Beer Zone. As well as an Organic Wine and Spirits corner and for those wanting something to pair with all this alcohol there’s a food area and also intriguingly a “World of Olive Oil” where you can learn about and taste premium olive oils.

The first two days are for trade only, the public day on the 10 November runs from 10:30am and entry costs $200.

Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair
Date:
 8-10 November, 2018
Venues: HKCEC
Tickets: $200

MarketingPulse @ HKCEC – 21 March, 2018

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Marketing-Pulse-HKCEC-21-March-2018/i-73wLjVr

An integrated branding and marketing conference, the inaugural MarketingPulse, organised by the HKTDC, featured a diverse range of interesting presentations on marketing trends and practices from across the globe. As well some amazing creatives illustrating these trends and practices in action. Watch the video of some of the presentations on youtube – link below.
Click on any photo for the full gallery of images.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Marketing-Pulse-HKCEC-21-March-2018/i-V7S6BDn

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Marketing-Pulse-HKCEC-21-March-2018/i-cBNVXvX

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2018/Marketing-Pulse-HKCEC-21-March-2018/i-3z4rwgB

Opening Party @ HK Watch & Clock Fair – 5 September, 2017

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Opening-Party-HK-Watch-Clock-Fair-5-September-2017/i-NVK8Q96

The HK Watch & Clock Fair 2017 kicked off with an opening reception and dinner as buyers and manufacturers from around the world saw models parade some of the latest watch designs.
Click on any photo for the full gallery

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Opening-Party-HK-Watch-Clock-Fair-5-September-2017/i-xcsR3p2

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Opening-Party-HK-Watch-Clock-Fair-5-September-2017/i-kRZ6cm5

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Opening-Party-HK-Watch-Clock-Fair-5-September-2017/i-Tm8wrcd

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Opening-Party-HK-Watch-Clock-Fair-5-September-2017/i-mf3TLWv