This story is part of a series of features covering MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2024, hosted at MGM COTAI in Macau on 28–30 June 2024.

While some are expecting a food coma at MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2024, the fact is, the long weekend is not just wine-and-dine-related. Sure, there’s plenty of nosh to be had during the three-day, two-night extravaganza, especially with a welcome dinner, 12-hands gala dinner, and brunches in the mix, but the programme ensures that, between meals, a colourful, enlightening, and informative cultural itinerary is laid out. 

Of course, the long weekend is bracketed by remarkable gastronomic activities. On the first night, the welcome dinner kicking off the festivities is themed “In the Gastronomic Footsteps of Marco Polo” as the chefs at MGM COTAI deliver a veritable smorgasbord of delectable dishes inspired by the long historical routes. MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2024 will culminate in a lavish 12-hands gala dinner as our six celebrated chefs—Yang Dengquan, Garima Arora, Marco Galtarossa, Chudaree “Tam” Debhakam, Sara Aqel, and Florita Morais Alves—prepare a multi-sensory extravaganza as the crescendo of the long weekend to answer the theme of “Savor 700 Years of Silk Road Flavors: A Gastronomic Odyssey.”

For guests flying to Macau or ferrying in for the very first time, the various tours on offer are a major attraction and highlight. With erudite guides leading the way, the programme includes a Macau city tour, in keeping with the theme “Journeying Along the Silk Road by Land and Sea.” With exclusive access to prime locations filled with history and heritage, this is a fun lesson in time travel around the most photogenic spots around the city. 

For tea enthusiasts, special tea tasting classes will be held to showcase the aromatic bouquets of exquisite Chinese teas and the elegant art of a traditional tea ceremony. Meanwhile, those who would like to up the ante in anticipation of the 12-hands gala dinner can join the wildly popular wine tasting classes. For MGM x RR1HK Culinary Masters Macau 2024, sommeliers will highlight fine Italian wines as part of Vino Condiviso 2024 Macao. If last year’s numbers are anything to go by, rest assured the wine tasting is going to be a well-peopled affair. 

For size, scale, and sculpture the likes of which you’ve never seen before, there’s Ren Zhe’s Legend Of Chivalry exhibition tour. An MGM partnership with the contemporary Chinese artist, this show is genuinely awe-inspiring. Ren’s large-scale sculptures of classic wuxia characters are incredible to behold, and the works are an amalgamation of great philosophies and theories, as Ren specialises in integrating calligraphy and martial arts to bring forth Chinese cultural elements in modern and contemporary ways. His first exhibition in Macau has been well-received by the public and art connoisseurs alike, and the art world has been transfixed by the collections that have premiered in Macau, including sculptures of characters from Jin Yong’s martial-arts novels and the artist’s iconic Warrior series.

For a taste of what goes on behind the scenes, MGM COTAI will take guests on an exclusive curated kitchen tour for an inside look into the resort’s vast culinary operations. To run a property of this magnitude, the machinations behind closed doors are never-ending as the cycle of work needs to meet the demands of a global guestlist of thousands. No doubt this exclusive look behind the scenes will amaze and surprise many—the sheer volume of fresh produce, food items, staff, and machinery is staggering. 

On top of that, the award-winning chefs will also provide intimate cooking classes! With all the equipment and ingredients laid out, the master chefs will provide tricks of the trade and clever ways to prep their signature dishes in expert and efficient ways. 

As we sail into the farewell brunch on the last day before guests jet off, there’s one final chance to make memories with new friends and build up lasting relationships before all part ways—the final toast to cap and recap the entire event. 

For more delicious details, visit rr1hongkong.com/culinary-masters-2024.

Images courtesy of @mgm.mo and Robb Report Hong Kong.