Tourism Australia has hosted a 'Restaurant Australia' food event designed to show off Australian cuisine to the quickly growing Chinese market.

Held at the Kerry Hotel in Shanghai on 30 October, the event was attended by Her Excellency Ms Frances Adamson, Australian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, along with more than 130 Chinese media as well as trade, industry and STO representatives.

The launch included a premium wine tasting followed by a dinner featuring a menu created by Hamish Pollitt (Executive Chef of ‘M on the Bund’) of freshly shucked Australian Pacific oysters, lobster from Western Australia, Australian Wagyu Beef, Murray River Cod, M’s famous Pavlova, and Haigh’s salted chocolate truffles.

Tourism Australia’s Managing Director John O’Sullivan said the ‘Restaurant Australia’ launch received an overwhelmingly positive response from Chinese travel trade and media.

Mr O’Sullivan, who spoke at the event, emphasised China’s importance for Australia’s visitor economy highlighting the upcoming 2015 AFC Asian Cup as an ideal time for Chinese travelers to visit and support their team.

He also promoted the upcoming ‘Invite the World to Dinner’ phase of the campaign which will see more than 80 key media and influencers – including 10 from China – in Australia on a familiarisation program to experience our food and wine first-hand, culminating with a gala dinner on 14 November at MONA in Tasmania.