China meal costs a small fortune

CHINESE foodies wined and dined on $30,000 worth of Tasmanian wine, meat, abalone and crayfish at a taxpayer-funded event, new right to information documents show.

Savour Tasmania. Wrest Point Casino Executive Chef, Andre Kropp is heading to China as part of a Savour Tasmania delegation to increase demand for Tasmania's produce.

CHINESE foodies wined and dined on $30,000 worth of Tasmanian wine, meat, abalone and crayfish at a taxpayer-funded event, new right to information documents show.

The documents show the event, which hosted 280 people including 148 Chinese food and wine movers and shakers, cost $165,000, equivalent to $590 a head.

Details of the first Savour Tasmania event in China last year have been revealed on the Department of State Growth website.

The Savour Tasmania gala dinner, held in China for the first time in September, was spruiked as the centrepiece of a State Government trade mission.

MORE: STATE’S FINEST OF MENU FOR CHINA DINNER

At the time Premier Will Hodgman said the event showcased “Tasmania’s finest produce to 300 of China’s most influential foodies”.

A Department of State Growth spokesman told the Mercury 280 people attended the event including 148 Chinese guests.

“Targeted invitations were sent to senior Chineses business leaders and influencers in key Tasmanian sectors including premium food, tourism, Antarctica, education and energy,” he said.

“Also in attendance at the event was a high level Tasmanian delegation that included the Premier, the Minister for State Growth, local government, export and trade business leaders, Tourism Tasmania and key sectoral representatives.”

Documents show the Department of State Growth spent $15,196 on abalone and crayfish, $5648 for meat and $9089 for wine for the event, which cost a total of $165,942.

Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin, who attended the event as part of the trade mission, said the event was an “exceptionally good investment”.

“It was at one of the finest hotels in Shanghai. If you are going to do something like that in China you have to do it properly. It was Tasmania being showcased on the global stage and worth every cent.”

Mr Martin said “the cream of Australian Chinese engagement” attended.

Documents show the trade mission cost the Department of State Growth $280,625 including the Savour event and a $11,403 education showcase in Beijing and a $10,335 investment and trade luncheon in Hong Kong.