Apéritif à la Française (APF) will again showcase the best of French food and wine at the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival at the Central Harbourfront event space from October 22–25.
Apéritif à la Française is an initiative of Sopexa Group, the international marketing agency for French food, wine and lifestyle.  Named after an apéritif, the showcase presents an ‘appetiser’ flavour of France with wine tastings and pairings, inspiring interactive chef demonstrations, artistic and music performance. In 2015, the event is highlighted by Absolutely Paris, an audiovisual workshop hosted by the sponsor, Paris Airport, illustrating the history of French gastronomy and the Parisian dining experience in an innovative format.
 
Launched in 2004, APF was initiated by Sopexa and the French Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and is now celebrated in over seven international cities, including New York, Montreal, São Paulo, Copenhagen, Dubai, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and focuses on the sophisticated French lifestyle during this celebration of conviviality and pleasure.

 
“With tremendous support from 13 French exhibitors, Sopexa Hong Kong represents the largest French pavilion in this year’s Wine and Dine Festival. We are delighted to present another flavour of France with ‘Apéritif à la française’, as a chic, fun, light hearted and above all appetizing mix of casual French lifestyle and culture,” said Anita Ma, director of Sopexa Hong Kong.
“In 2014, we had a hugely successful event with strong support from exhibitors and partners.  We see this event a prime showcase for us to build awareness of the great diversity of French products in the Hong Kong market, while also introducing the public to an authentic taste of French food, wine culture, and lifestyle.”
From north to south, each region of France has its favourite food and drink that is enjoyed during  Apéritif.  From Picon in the North, Kir Breton in Brittany, Pastis in Marseille, Rosé wine in Provence or Pinault des Charentes in the south-west, France offers a mosaic of taste sensations. This regional diversity is equally represented in the food, with tapenade, gougère, saucisson sec, pâté, rillettes and olive cake in traditional French cuisine.
Headlining the gastronomy showcases are two of France’s top master chefs based in Hong Kong – two Michelin star Fabrice Vulin of Caprice at the Four Seasons Hotel and Marc Toutain, former Executive chef at Harbour Grand Kowloon and director of Marc Cuisine. The two culinary experts are representing Les Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, the association of French Master Chefs which promotes excellence of French culinary arts. Established in 1951, the association aims to preserve and spread the French culinary arts, encourage training in cuisine, and assist in professional culinary development.

Winners of Gourmet Magazine’s Master Chefs (female category), Chef Mabel Ho, Chef Li Feng Yi and Chef Tam Wing Yee will also demonstrate their award-winning dishes with exclusive French wine 13 local French exhibitors representing the majority of key players in the French F&B community are also participating in the fun, light hearted and appetising indulgence in premium French produce.  
For updated news and program details, visit the Facebook fan page.
Exhibitors of fine French food & wine produce confirmed to date include :
ABC Wines
Akiten
Atout France
CIVA
Classic Fine Foods
Direct Châteaux
Friendmily
Gourmet en Provence
Inter Beaujolais
Côtes du Rhône
Le Canelé d’Or
Repertoire Culinaire Hong Kong
The Natural Food and Beverages Company