Chef Wong gets Tassie orientation

HONG Kong chef Wong Wing Chee is in Tasmania spruiking the state’s clean green image and food.

celebrity Hong Kong chef Wong Wing Chee with some brussels sprouts at the Salamanca Market in Hobart

HONG Kong celebrity chef Wong Wing Chee is touring Tasmania spruiking the state’s clean green image and food.

Chef Wong, who was sampling wares at the Salamanca Market today, has been joined by prominent members of the Hong Kong racing industry on a tour the State Government says has highlighted China’s growing interest in Tasmania.

The influential chef and TV celebrity, a three-time winner of the cult cooking show Iron Chef, said he was a big fan of Tasmanian seafood and wine.

“Especially, the lobster and the oysters,” he said through a translator.

“The environment and the water quality is very good.”

Chef Wong worked in Tasmania 20 years ago and retains a soft spot for the state.

“The Tasmanian people are very friendly,” he said.

Hong Kong Jockey Club trainer Dany Shum, one of Hong Kong’s most renowned ex-jockeys, is among the food lovers on the tour.

“I have been to Australia many, many times but this is the first time to Tasmania,” he said.

“I love Tasmania because it has lobster, it has oysters and a lot of good foods — and fresh air.”

State Growth Minister Matthew Groom, who will lead a trade delegation to China in September, said the tour from Hong Kong would help boost Tasmania’s profile.

“To help capitalise on the gains we’ve made since the visit of President Xi, the Government will hold the annual Savour Tasmania food festival in China this year,” Mr Groom said.

“We will take the very best of Tasmania’s incredible produce right to the Chinese people.

“China is already our largest trading partner, but we see that relationship growing as more and more Chinese experience our premium produce first-hand.”

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