Edible art fair debuts in Hong Kong with mixed reactions

Hong Kong’s first edible art fair opened on March 26 in Central, drawing visitors’ appreciation, though some questioned its educational value and food safety.

Located at the Harbourfront Event Space, the Central Yards Edible Art Fair features a 20,000-square-foot tent, which houses 10 galleries showcasing different art movements.

“You're not only looking and listening, but you can play, take pictures and also taste the edible art treat, which makes for a more immersive cultural experience,” said Levina Li-Cadman, 55, curator of the fair.

“Our daughter was quite excited when she found out she could get different snacks from each exhibit. We are very happy to see her running around the interactive areas,” said Steve Jon, 36, who visited with his family.

Cathery Xu, 39, chief executive officer of Sunflower Media, a cultural industry operator, said the exhibition had provided her with new ideas for planning future art and cultural events.

Several visitors said the ticket was expensive, at over HK$300 per adult depending on the time slot.

“The experience is quite fresh, but it doesn't seem to be worth it, considering that only two exhibition halls feature works by individual artists,” said Shelly Zheng, 25, a short video content creator on Rednote and Instagram.

The fair features installations by two local artists, while the remaining exhibition halls are themed around art movements, including Modernism, Pop Art and Surrealism.

Tom Audrew, director and head of leasing & operations of Central Yards, said in a press release that the fair allows both residents and tourists of different ages and backgrounds to learn about different forms of art, introducing a more accessible and inclusive art experience.

“This exhibition aims to promote art education, but the content is too shallow," said Anthea Fan, chief editor of Art Map, a cross-disciplinary art platform focusing on Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. “When I asked art-related questions, the guides couldn’t answer them. The organisers should at least train the staff for educational purposes.”

Fan is concerned that organising an edible art exhibition carries relatively high risks because it involves food safety and allergen issues.

Arbiona Cadman, 36, founder of Feste Group, the event's organiser, said all the food is prepared in advance at their central kitchen in Tsuen Wan and replenished freshly every day.

The organisers have applied twice for the Temporary Food Factory Licence to comply with regulations from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.

Information cards detailing allergens are also placed beside each edible artwork.

The fair will be held from March 26 to April 5. Ticket prices for adults range from HK$320 to HK$420, depending on the time session and date, while concessionary tickets for children range from HK$150 to HK$200.