IHG Hotels & Resorts has unveiled the 2026 edition of its Star Chef Gourmet Tour, a year-long culinary programme designed to showcase regional food traditions, local ingredients and contemporary culinary innovation across Greater China.
Now in its fourth year, the initiative brings together culinary teams from nearly 50 IHG hotels and resorts, highlighting the growing role of hotel dining as a gateway to cultural discovery and destination experiences.
A Three-Part Culinary Journey
The 2026 programme has been reimagined around three distinct chapters: Journey of Origin, Journey of Authenticity and Journey of Craft.
Together, the series explores the relationship between ingredients, regional food culture and modern culinary creativity while showcasing the diversity of dining experiences available across IHG’s portfolio in Greater China.
The opening chapter, Journey of Origin, officially launched at Crowne Plaza Hangzhou Science City and serves as the foundation for the year’s culinary exploration.
Celebrating Rice as a Cultural Symbol
Inspired by the theme “A Grain with a Thousand Flavors,” the Journey of Origin focuses on rice, one of the most important and enduring ingredients in Chinese cuisine.
The programme explores how rice has influenced regional culinary traditions, daily life and food culture throughout China’s history.
Chefs participating in the event created dishes that reflected both local traditions and contemporary interpretations, demonstrating the versatility of a single ingredient that has shaped generations of Chinese cooking.
The experience extended beyond the dining table, with chefs sharing the stories behind their creations through films, photography and illustrated menus that documented each dish’s development.
Dining as a Cultural Experience
According to Jerome Qiu, Chief Operating Officer of IHG Greater China, today’s diners increasingly seek experiences that combine food, culture and emotional connection.
With more than 900 hotels across Greater China, IHG says it is uniquely positioned to connect travellers with diverse culinary traditions and regional food cultures through its extensive portfolio.
The Star Chef Gourmet Tour also serves as a platform for collaboration among chefs and hospitality teams, encouraging innovation while supporting talent development throughout the organisation.
Upcoming Chapters
Following the Hangzhou launch, the tour will continue with two additional themed experiences.
Journey of Authenticity, inspired by the element of fire, will explore how geography, climate and traditional cooking methods influence regional cuisines and ingredient character.
Journey of Craft, centred around the element of water, will focus on traditional techniques such as stock preparation and fermentation, examining how these time-honoured practices continue to shape modern gastronomy.
Strengthening Destination Dining
IHG views the Star Chef Gourmet Tour as part of a broader strategy to elevate hotel dining beyond its traditional role and transform it into a defining element of the guest experience.
By connecting food with local culture, storytelling and regional identity, the company aims to create more meaningful travel experiences while showcasing the unique character of destinations across Greater China.
As culinary tourism continues to grow globally, programmes such as the Star Chef Gourmet Tour reflect the increasing importance of food and beverage experiences in attracting travellers and strengthening destination appeal.
