LONDON/Correspondent LP/ – Andong City, in collaboration with the Korea Foundation for Cultures and Ethics, will participate in the renowned ‘Taste of London’ festival at Regent’s Park. This initiative aims to promote Andong as a vibrant tourism hub by introducing its rich culinary heritage to potential tourists from Europe, including the UK.
The primary objective of this project is to elevate the recognition of Andong among European tourists by presenting traditional Andong cuisine and highlighting its tourist attractions. This exposure is expected to attract diverse international visitors, thereby boosting the local tourism industry.
‘Taste of London’ is the UK’s largest outdoor food festival, held annually in June. The event gathers star chefs, famous restaurants, and food service professionals from around the globe. Over 30 popular London restaurants participate, offering a variety of food tasting events. The festival also features exhibitions, cooking classes, and numerous other activities.
At this year’s festival, Andong City and the foundation will present traditional Andong dishes such as ‘Jeongyea’ (pan-fried chicken), ‘Yuksochae’ (vegetable-based mixed dish), and ‘Ddeokkochi Sanjeok’ (skewered rice cake). These dishes are derived from the ‘Soowoonjapbang,’ a 500-year-old cookbook, showcasing the city’s historical culinary heritage.
To maximize exposure, a special food tasting event targeting local media outlets will be conducted, alongside an SNS tasting event. Approximately 6,000 visitors who stop by the Andong booth will have the chance to upload photos of the booth or the food to their social media accounts. By tagging and following the ‘Andong Nonilgi’ account, participants will receive opportunities to taste the showcased dishes.
The inclusion of traditional Andong cuisine at ‘Taste of London’ provides a rare and symbolic experience for tourists, offering a fresh and unique perspective that naturally piques interest.
Officials from Andong City and the foundation believe that participation in the UK’s largest food festival will set the stage for utilizing local traditional cuisine as a cultural and tourism resource. This initiative is expected to inspire the development of tourism products based on local food, contributing to the growth of Andong’s tourism industry.