MACAO, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- After three cycles of dossier-based selections, 2026 will mark the much-anticipated return of the Bocuse d'Or Asia-Pacific. And it is the city of Macao that will have the honour of hosting it on 1 and 2 November.
As the fourth Continental Selection in the race to the Grand Finale, it will bring together 8 candidates who will compete across several tests in a bid to secure one of the qualifying places for the ultimate stage. The winners will join the countries already qualified for the Grand Finale, to be held in January 2027 at Sirha Lyon.
"Congratulations on reviving the Bocuse d'Or Asia-Pacific after the COVID-19 hiatus. It's wonderful to witness this prestigious event taking place in Macao, and I genuinely hope it brings excitement, unforgettable memories, and success. I eagerly anticipate seeing everyone again soon and extending my heartfelt wishes to all the teams for their best efforts in this remarkable competition!" declares Jérôme Bocuse, President of the Competition.
MACAO, A GASTRONOMIC METROPOLIS AT THE CROSSROADS OF ASIA AND THE WEST
Nestled on the southeastern coast of China, at the gateway to Guangdong province, Macao has embodied for centuries the perfect fusion of Asian traditions and Western influences. This cosmopolitan crossroads has forged a unique gastronomic identity to Macao, now recognised on the world stage: listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site for its "Historic Centre of Macao", the city has also earned the title of UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, while Macanese Gastronomy features on China's National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Strongly shaped by Cantonese cuisine - one of the eight great regional cuisines of China and arguably the most renowned in the world - Macao stands out for its refined approach, where authentic cooking techniques are interwoven with the Portuguese flavours that have defined its culinary heritage for more than four centuries. From this alchemy emerges a one-of-a-kind table, where dim sum sits alongside pastéis de nata and wonton noodle soup meets Iberian influences. This culinary excellence is further reflected in the remarkable concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants the city boasts - more than twenty, including Chef Tam's Seasons**, The Huaiyang Garden**, Five Foot Road* and UTM Educational Restaurant (Bib Gourmand) - bringing together world-renowned chefs and some of Asia's finest event infrastructure under one roof.
"Macao is looking forward to welcoming national teams from across the Asia-Pacific for Bocuse d'Or Asia-Pacific 2026. With nearly 500 years of east-meets-west cultural heritage, our city has all the ingredients to provide an inspiring ground for chefs to showcase their talent." says Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office. "Boasting a vibrant dining scene that ranges from popular street food stalls in charming community areas to Michelin-starred restaurants in integrated resorts, gastronomy is among our top attractions. Following the designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Macao's commitment to diversification, innovation, sustainability, and training of culinary talent has only increased, alongside our destination's development as a world centre of tourism and leisure. It is therefore with great enthusiasm that we host the return of the Continental Selection of this prestigious competition."
It is against this exceptional backdrop, bolstered by an international events calendar that draws millions of visitors from around the world each year, that Macao hosts for the first time the Bocuse d'Or Asia-Pacific - a natural milestone for a city that has spent centuries learning to make gastronomy a universal driver of connection and excellence.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Bocuse d'Or Asia-Pacific 2026: Macao Hosts the Return of the Continental Selection
SINGAPORE, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- arrivia, global leader in travel loyalty and rewards solutions, has partnered with Comoclub, the recognition programme of the COMO Group, to launch Comoclub x iCruise, a dedicated cruise programme designed exclusively for Comoclubbers.
The partnership brings the Comoclub lifestyle experience to sea, opening up a world of inspiring voyages, remarkable destinations and enriching experiences, while rewarding Comoclubbers with Comocredits along the way. Through Comoclub x iCruise, Comoclubbers can explore an extensive collection of cruise voyages across leading international cruise lines and destinations worldwide. From intimate luxury voyages to expedition journeys, the programme brings together a diverse selection of experiences for different styles of travel.
Comoclubbers will earn 2 Comocredits for every SGD1 spent on eligible cruise bookings made on Comoclub x iCruise. The partnership reflects Comoclub's considered approach to recognition, connecting Comoclubbers with a curated world of experiences across travel, dining, wellness, fashion and lifestyle. With the introduction of cruising, Comoclubbers can now enjoy even more ways to experience, explore and travel – building their life, well-lived.
The launch comes as cruising continues to see strong global momentum. According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), a record 37.2 million passengers cruised globally in 2025, representing a 7.5% increase over 2024, while nearly 90% of cruisers surveyed indicated an intention to cruise again.
"We are delighted to partner with Comoclub to introduce a rewarding new way for Comoclubbers to explore the world through cruising," said John Williams, Chief Operating Officer (COO), arrivia International. "By bringing together Comoclub's distinctive lifestyle ecosystem with arrivia's global cruise expertise and technology and travel loyalty expertise, we are opening up a world of exceptional cruise experiences for Comoclubbers, while creating more meaningful ways for them to be recognised and rewarded as they experience the world."
Nikolaus Ong, Chief Operating Officer, Comoclub, said: "We are excited to expand COMO's lifestyle and travel portfolio in partnership with arrivia. COMO's integrated approach to living well works seamlessly with arrivia's years of specialised cruise expertise, giving Clubbers more ways to earn Comocredits in the world of curated travel."
For media enquiries & interview requests, please contact:
Daphne Goh
Head of Marketing, International
daphne.goh@arrivia.com
+65 9489 0987
Ben Tan
Senior Marketing Manager, International
ben.tan@arrivia.com
+65 8118 8912
Comoclub x iCruise Official Website: www.comoclubicruise.com
ABOUT ARRIVIA:
arrivia is a global leader in travel loyalty and rewards solutions, enabling brands to expand their redemption ecosystems and create more meaningful ways for members to engage.
Through its technology platform and global travel supply network, arrivia helps partners unlock high-value travel experiences, increase member engagement, and optimise loyalty programme economics by driving greater points utilisation. With over 25 years of expertise, arrivia powers travel booking, loyalty, and engagement solutions across cruise, hotel, and experiential travel categories, supporting partners in delivering more value to their customers while improving programme performance.
To learn more about how arrivia helps companies drive growth, incentivize sales, boost affinity, and reward high-value customers, visit www.arrivia.com.
ABOUT COMOCLUB:
Comoclub is a members-only recognition programme by Singapore-based luxury conglomerate COMO group, with exclusive perks and experience across fashion, dining, kids, travel, and wellness, as well as lifestyle partners around the world. Comoclubbers get preferential rates and early access to exclusive collections, curated experiences and invitation-only events across all brands.
For more information, visit www.comoclub.com.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
arrivia and Comoclub Launch Dedicated Cruise Programme for Comoclubbers
