Taitung Slow Food Festival Kicks Off: "New Taitung Banquet" Celebrated by Dapo Pond

The 2024 Taitung Slow Food Festival Autumn Celebration will take place on November 2 and 3 at Dapo Pond in Chishang Township. This year’s theme, "New Taitung Banquet," will reinterpret traditional banquet dishes with the spirit of slow food. The event invites slow food enthusiasts to gather by Dapo Pond, enjoying handcrafted delicacies amidst golden rice fields to experience the unique culture of slow food.

Taitung County Mayor Rao Qingling emphasized that exploring Taitung's food culture and the collective creativity of chefs is a key highlight of every Slow Food Festival. This year's "New Taitung Banquet" features a ticketed "Slow Food Feast" and a free-entry "Slow Food Fair." Participants can savor seasonal local delicacies, enjoy "Slow Food Chant" musical performances, and join "Slow Food Guide" cultural tours, immersing in the spirit of slow food.Exploring Taitung's culinary culture and collaborative creation by chefs is a vital part of preparing for the Slow Food Festival. (Photo / Courtesy of Slow Food Taitung Facebook)

Agriculture Department Director Jiang Huiqing explained that traditional Taitung banquet culture originates from celebrations for eight major events and one mourning ritual. At Dapo Pond's circular plaza, there will be a daily limited offering of 300 seats for the "Slow Food Feast," priced at NT$1500 per table, serving an eight-course banquet menu crafted by slow food chefs. The meal, accompanied by cultural explanations, lets attendees immerse themselves in both cuisine and culture.

The Agriculture Department added that Taitung's banquet culture rose in the 1970s, influenced by migrants from Xuejia, Tainan. Whether by the coast or in the rift valley, each area's chefs infuse local flavors—such as replacing milkfish with swordfish in seafood stew on the coast, or including Fujian-style rib soup in the valley. The South-Link region frequently features golden needle flowers and mountain beans, showcasing Taitung's rich culinary heritage.

Chefs interested in participating in the "Taitung Slow Food Festival - New Taitung Banquet" are welcome to join the Slow Food Academy courses in late August and recipe selection in early September. For more details on the event and "Slow Food Feast" registration, visit the "Slow Food Taitung" official website (https://slowfoodtaitung.tw/) and Facebook page.