The Far East on the EuroTour 2010 Programme
29.9.2009 The Far East on the EuroTour 2010 Programme
A week in the land of the rising sun, in Tokyo, the capital of Japan, to get to know the reality, make contacts and to pave the way for the EuroTour for next year so that the chosen producers of the Merano International WineFestival & Culinaria can present their produce successfully for the first time in Japan.
Helmuth Köcher in collaboration with Dante Stefano Del Vecchio and Enrico Derflingher, head chef of the EuroTour 2009 in Moscow, owner of the Officina di Enrico and head chef of the Armani Tower in Tokyo, personally investigated the region and the market.
The president of the Merano WineFestival & Gourmet describes Tokyo completely differently to what the general impression of the city seems to be, not loud or chaotic and with plenty of rubbish bins and cash points. The way the Japanese treat their customers is remarkable, always with the greatest appreciation and respect.
There are thousands of restaurants, many of them Italian, but Italian wines are not very well known, and this opens up a new market for us to offer our numerous regional products and specialities.
Helmuth Köcher attended the reception of the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano on 18th September 2009 when he visited the Italian Embassy in Tokyo. The dinner, created by Enrico Derflingher and Mimmo Di Raffaele (head chef of the Hotels Caruso in Ravello), was attended by 800 specially invited guests, VIPs, trade experts, sales representatives and journalists and was a big success.
After this event, the president of Gourmet's International said enthusiastically “Next year we will come to Tokyo. The market there is ideal to promote the first class Italian wines and culinary delights that are chosen for the Merano International WineFestival & Culinaria.”
All that is now needed is to set the date and head off to Japan!