The annual Macau Food Festival returns in November, promoting the city’s rich gastronomic culture via a selection of delicacies served by local eateries. The COVID-19 pandemic has meant an exclusive focus on local restaurants this year, with space for some 120 food stalls.
The 21st Macau Food Festival takes place between 19 November and 5 December at Sai Van Square for 17 days. From Mondays to Thursdays, the daily programme begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m. From Fridays to Sundays, the festival begins at 3 p.m. and ends at midnight.
The 2021 Macau Food Festival aims to be an effective international marketing platform for local food and beverage companies, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, to help promote exchanges, and to present local delicacies to residents and tourists.
The event is organised by the United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macao, and co-organised by the Trade Union of Macau Catering Industry, the Macau Journalists Association, the Macau Cuisine Association and the Association of Employees of Restaurants and Bakeries in Macau. It is supported by a number of departments of the Macao SAR Government, including the Macao Government Tourism Office, the Municipal Affairs Bureau, the Environmental Protection Bureau and the Sports Bureau.
In line with the epidemic prevention guidelines issued by the Macao SAR Government Health Bureau, staff and visitors are only allowed to take off their masks to eat at designated zones of the event. Two extra dining zones are to be set up for this year, relative to the previous edition of the event.
The organisers have taken several measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Some new steps include a requirement for all participating staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or to show proof of a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test result issued within seven days of their presence on site.
Other measures include requirements for customers and staff to have their temperature taken, to present a valid Macao health code, and to follow crowd control instructions.