Chinese bartenders tour Victoria’s hospitality scene

Ten of the best and brightest of China’s hospitality scene enjoyed a tour of Victoria last week, visiting the state’s key people and places in a bid to build networks and open more export opportunities.

The tour has been organised by CAPI, with the producer putting together an intense three-day program, which has been designed to give the visitors the opportunity to experience the best that Victoria’s food scene has to offer.

Emma Evans, CEO of CAPI said the aim of the tour was to help CAPI and other Australian brands make the most of the huge opportunities in the China export market, through developing this kind of connectivity program.

“Our objective is for CAPI to lead the charge in connecting companies to China and inspiring them with the opportunity at hand. It’s a particularly challenging market to crack and we hope this program will result in increased export connections and international trade for all partners involved,” Evans said.

CAPI Founder Pitzy Folk added: “We’re particularly excited to show them the best of what Victoria has to offer. It’s the perfect way to immerse their industry leaders into the Melbourne culture and lifestyle and mixing with some of the best brands, dining at our best food concepts and interacting among distillers, winemakers and coffee producers.”

The three-day schedule included visits to key Melbourne hospitality concepts and hot spots including Cumulus Inc., Supernormal, Eau de Vie, Tokyo Tina, Capitano, Arlechin, Industry Beans, Hunted & Gathered, Bad Frankie and Pezzo.

Pezzo’s Guy Grossi said: “I’m so excited to be involved in such a great initiative from CAPI. It’s a great way to showcase our thriving industry to some top-tier international hospitality professionals, exposing them to great products, venues and of course our city.”

The Chinese visitors include Michael Chen (The Cannery, Shanghai), William W (Staff Room, Chongqing), Tong (Lotus, Guangzhou), Marcia Ciocca (Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou), Warren Pang (James and Hooch, Beijing), Douglas Williams (Muse Group, Beijing), Chase White (The Beverly, Shanghai), Jacqui Lo (Langham Place Hotel, Hong Kong) and Jacob Papermaster and Ben Joseph, Co-Owners of Craft Republic.