The New Zealand Consulate General in Guangzhou hosts a themed culinary dinner at Restaurant Emmelyn in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, on June 26, 2026.
The New Zealand Consulate General in Guangzhou hosted a culinary showcase at Restaurant Emmelyn on June 26, bringing together chefs, media representatives, social media influencers, and industry leaders to highlight New Zealand's food culture and its growing ties with southern China.
Titled New Zealand on a Plate – A Kiwi Culinary Journey, the event featured a three-chef collaboration among Zennon Wijlens of Paris Butter in New Zealand, Josh Paris of Aster by Josh Paris in Shanghai, and Caleb Carter of Restaurant Emmelyn in Guangzhou.
Together, the chefs designed a special set menu. The dishes showcase New Zealand's premium, sustainably farmed ingredients, integrate modern cooking techniques with local Cantonese culinary characteristics, and build a cultural bridge between New Zealand's agricultural heritage and Guangdong's rich culinary traditions.
Chef Caleb Carter of Restaurant Emmelyn in Guangzhou chats with guests during the themed culinary dinner hosted by the New Zealand Consulate General in Guangzhou on June 26, 2026.
"New Zealand's ingredients are renowned for their pure taste and reliable quality," Carter said. "This dinner was an opportunity to share their story and reflect the spirit of New Zealand cuisine."
"Food is one of the most powerful ways to bring people together," said Michael Zhang, Consul General of New Zealand in Guangzhou. "This dinner highlights not only the exceptional quality of New Zealand ingredients, but also the strong and enduring connections between New Zealand and China, particularly here in Guangdong."
Dishes are served during the themed culinary dinner hosted by the New Zealand Consulate General in Guangzhou on June 26, 2026.
The event took place against the backdrop of a robust economic relationship between the two countries. China remains New Zealand's largest trading partner and export market, with two-way trade exceeding NZD 41 billion in the 12 months ending September 2025, according to the New Zealand Consulate General in Guangzhou.
Guangdong is among New Zealand's top provincial trading partners and a key destination for premium food and beverage exports, supported by its large market and increasingly sophisticated consumer demands.
The event forms part of the Consulate General’s broader efforts to strengthen engagement with Guangdong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area through food, culture, and business exchanges, the consulate said.
Reporter | Liu Xiaodi
Author | Liu Xiaodi, Fu Rong (intern)
Photo | New Zealand Consulate General in Guangzhou
