To promote coastal tourism and revitalize local industries, the Taichung City Government’s Tourism and Travel Bureau will relocate the 2025 Taichung International Pastry Festival to the Da'an Gang Mazu Cultural Park. This year’s event will highlight a unique integration of local agricultural and fishery specialties with traditional banquet culture, creating a new win-win model for regional tourism and industry. In enthusiastic support, the Da’an District Farmers’ Association took the lead by organizing a pre-event tasting session, inviting event organizers, local representatives, and residents to sample the creative “Flying Pig Banquet” cuisine—showcasing the excellence of local agricultural products and culinary craftsmanship!
Tourism and Travel Bureau Director Chen Mei-xiu noted that Da’an District is rich in agricultural and fishery specialties, including scallions, pork, rice, taro, and various seafood—all widely acclaimed for their high quality. However, due to the outflow of population in recent years, the district’s local industries are facing challenges of transformation. Through the “Thousand-Person Banquet” featured at the Pastry Festival, the bureau aims to introduce concepts of product development and marketing channels to attract visitors from outside the area for an in-depth local experience. They also support the branding of local cuisine and open up new horizons for tourism development.
Tsai Chien-Tsung, Secretary-General of the Da’an District Farmers’ Association, noted that the association’s “Flying Pig Banquet” creative cuisine embodies the spirit of traditional banquet culture. The dishes are crafted using the district’s certified “Five Treasures of Food Safety”: pork, taro, scallions, seafood, and Anquan rice. Emphasizing local, seasonal, and fresh ingredients, the menu blends culinary creativity with traditional techniques. The association aspires to secure a lead role in hosting the “Thousand-Person Banquet” at the Pastry Festival, aiming to present a banquet experience that is both refined and delicious in Taichung’s coastal region!
Chef Wang Chun-Yao, who participated in the tasting session, shared that the dish “Wishing You Fulfillment and Longevity” combines pork knuckles and vermicelli. Pork knuckles symbolize health and well-being, while vermicelli symbolizes longevity and good fortune. It conveys heartfelt wishes for guests to see their dreams fulfilled and enjoy lasting happiness. Ms. Hsu, a banquet enthusiast, particularly praised the innovative dish “Pork Belly of Shared Prosperity,” which reimagines the traditional gua bao by pairing milk bread with pork belly. Another attendee, Ms. Wang, recommended “Harmony and Fortune with Blessed Pork,” a fusion of pickled carrots, fresh lettuce, and crispy pork cutlet. She was deeply impressed by its delightful blend of Taiwanese and Western culinary elements, with a refreshing taste.
According to the Tourism and Travel Bureau, the “Thousand-Person Banquet” will feature ten specially curated dishes, with each table priced at NT$6,000 (for ten persons) and available by reservation only. Group reservations will open on July 25. The public is warmly invited to form groups for savoring the flavors of Da’an and immersing in the rich banquet culture! The 2025 Taichung International Pastry Festival promises a feast of culinary delights and joyful exploration throughout Taichung. For further event details and updates, please visit the Tourism and Travel Bureau's official website (https://travel.taichung.gov.tw/).