Nine of the Best

One of Hong Kong's mega-events over the summer was the Strato-Fantasia, a spectacular music and laser extravaganza located on the waterfront in front of the HKCEC. Premiering on 17 August, it represented Asia's first multimedia sound and light stratosphere show, and the largest yet seen worldwide. Following the event, important guests, who included global leaders in the travel trade and media representatives, moved on to the Grand Hall and Grand Foyer of the HKCEC for a 'Best of the Best Gala Dinner' organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). With many guests wearing national costumes for the event, the HKCEC became a veritable kaleidoscope of colourful dress and culture. Guests were greeted by one of the largest Chinese banquets ever held in Hong Kong, conjured up by a collaboration of nine chefs who combined their award-winning dishes from the HKTB's Best of the Best Culinary Awards. This was sumptuous catering on the grandest scale, with the banquet enjoyed by over 2,600 guests seated at 220 tables. From the laser and music Strato-Fantasia outside to a stratospheric fantasia of food and sparkling entertainment within, the evening was indeed a special one for everyone involved.