On December 4th, the highly anticipated “2024 International Development Summit of the Chinese Catering Industry” grandly opened at the iconic RICS Conference Hall in London, UK.
The summit was jointly initiated and organised by Chaodongfang, Restaurant Chain Technology, and the China-UK Business Development Centre, with strong support from multiple organisations including the British Chinese Catering Culture Association, XL Consulting UK Ltd., and UKDS.
The summit was held in London, a globally renowned financial centre and hub of cultural integration. Chaodongfang aims to leverage the city’s unique multicultural atmosphere and global influence to promote the international spread of Chinese cuisine, allowing its distinct flavors to shine worldwide.
The summit brought together many industry elites, including over a hundred influential experts, renowned scholars, and practitioners of Chinese cuisine internationalization from the UK and Europe. The event covered key sectors such as Chinese restaurant enterprises, ingredient supply chains, seasonings, tea, and alcoholic beverage brands, with a focus on exploring new trends and opportunities for the internationalization of Chinese cuisine.
The guest lineup at the summit was impressive, featuring notable figures such as Mr. Alan Yau, the legendary figure in the UK Chinese catering industry and recipient of the OBE (Order of the British Empire); Dr. Huang Rong, Vice Dean of Plymouth Business School; Mr. Li Zhiliang, Founder of Leeliang Ltd; as well as industry leaders Mr. Dong Weixiang, Chairman of the British Chinese Catering Culture Association, and Mr. Zhao Chengmin, President of the association.
At the same time, renowned brand and company representatives from China also attended, including Guangdong Zhimei Zhai, Guizhou Zhenjiu, Xinjiang Pang Laohan Catering, Shenzhen Xiang Tiantian, Liuzhou Yanzhenwen Restaurant, Guanglongji, Sancai Yitang, Guangdong Dongjia Liangcang Chenpi, Hunan Xijian Group, Hunan Wanta Group, Guangdong Junfeng International Logistics, Tibet Gangyaer Livestock Technology, Kan Feiji, Hunan Tianlaohu Spicy Sauce, and Hong Kong DIG Group. These companies brought a wealth of Chinese culinary culture and industry resources.
In addition, the summit attracted media representatives from well-known outlets such as China Daily, Phoenix News, People’s Daily, and the European Times, among others, who were present to report on the event and witness this important moment in the internationalization of Chinese cuisine.
The successful hosting of this summit not only provided a significant platform for the global spread of Chinese culinary culture but also injected new vitality and momentum into the cooperation and development of the Chinese catering industry worldwide.
At the opening of the summit, Mr. Chen Xin, Founder of Chaodongfang, Mr. Jeff Astle, Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the China-UK Business Development Centre, and Mr. Dong Weixiang, Chairman of the British Chinese Catering Culture Association, each delivered passionate speeches.
Mr. Chen Xin expressed that this summit is not only a grand event focused on the Chinese catering industry but also a bridge connecting Eastern and Western cultures. He hopes that through this summit, global wisdom will be gathered to jointly create a grand blueprint for the internationalization of Chinese cuisine, allowing Chinese culinary culture to shine even more brilliantly on the world stage.
Mr. Jeff Astle emphasized the importance of fostering global cultural exchange in the current era, which is filled with challenges and uncertainties. He stated that food, as a universal language, has the power to transcend borders and differences, becoming a powerful force for promoting understanding, cooperation, and mutual respect. We are living in an unprecedented historical moment, and he urged everyone to work together to advance the international spread of Chinese culinary culture, allowing this unique flavor to serve as a bridge connecting the world.
Mr. Dong Weixiang also expressed his strong confidence and expectations for the international development of Chinese cuisine.
Following this, the summit held in-depth and wide-ranging discussions on the core theme of the “International Development of the Chinese Catering Industry.” Attendees engaged in extensive exchanges on strategies to enhance the international influence and competitiveness of Chinese cuisine, focusing on areas such as capital investment, cross-cultural integration, brand building, digitalization and standardization, as well as ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) sustainability.
During the summit, industry leaders including Alan Yau OBE, Mr. Li Zhiliang, and Dean Huang Rong delivered insightful keynote speeches. Alan Yau OBE presented on “How to Leverage Capital for a Qualitative Leap in the Influence of Catering Brands,” sharing his unique insights and successful experiences in capital operations for catering brands. Mr. Li Zhiliang’s talk, titled “My Management Philosophy: Integrating Western Management Culture with Eastern Wisdom and the Cultural Differences in Eastern and Western Restaurant Operation Models,” explored the fusion and innovation of Eastern and Western management cultures. Dean Huang Rong focused on “ESG and Sustainable Development in the Chinese Catering Industry,” discussing the challenges and opportunities that the industry faces in environmental protection, social responsibility, and corporate governance.
In addition, the summit featured three rounds of panel discussions, inviting distinguished leaders from the catering industry, association experts, cultural scholars, and digital technology specialists from the UK, Europe, and China. These experts engaged in deep discussions on topics such as international catering investment, developing global supply chains for Chinese cuisine, drawing on Michelin standards, and co-developing international standards for Chinese cuisine. The participants shared their insights and sparked many new ideas, providing valuable perspectives and recommendations for the international development of Chinese cuisine.
The 2024 International Development Summit of the Chinese Catering Industry received widespread acclaim and high praise from the attendees. Guests unanimously agreed that Chinese cuisine, as an important treasure of Chinese culture, not only carries a deep historical and cultural essence but also serves as a bridge and bond for promoting friendly exchanges and cultural dissemination between China and other countries.
The successful hosting of this summit provided an important opportunity for the global sharing of Chinese cuisine. It also marked the first time that such a deep and wide exchange of ideas took place within the Chinese catering industry overseas, holding milestone significance for advancing the international spread of Chinese culinary culture.
Following the summit, a carefully planned dinner event hosted by the organizers commenced. During the dinner, distinguished representatives from the Chinese catering industry in both the UK and China gathered together for warm and friendly interactions. While enjoying the rich red wine from Yunnan, the guests expressed their strong expectations and confidence in the future development of Chinese culinary culture.
It is worth mentioning that entrepreneurs from Nagqu, Tibet, specially presented white khatas to Summit founder Alan Yau and other key guests as a gesture of sincere respect and best wishes for their contributions to the advancement of the internationalization of Chinese cuisine.
The successful hosting of the 2024 International Development Summit of the Chinese Catering Industry not only provided an important platform for global cultural exchange and cooperation in the Chinese catering industry but also injected new vitality into the global expansion and international development of Chinese catering brands.
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