Old masters: Food lovers can enjoy Dutch cheese at the 6th European Food Festival on September 8 in HCM City. — File Photo

HCM CITY — Featuring an all-new format with a gourmet European buffet and free-flow premium drinks, the sixth annual European Food Festival will be back in HCM City on September 8 at HCM City's Windsor Plaza Hotel.

The event will feature a wide variety of food and drink stations with selected delicacies from all over Europe, such as fresh Greek salad, roasted lamb, seafood paella and Black Forest gateau.

The dairy company FrieslandCampina Viet Nam will offer Dutch Vermeer cheese, which won the first prize at the World Champion Cheese Contest held in March in the US. It defeated more than 2,000 kinds of famous cheeses from over 20 countries.

Dan Konz, a cheese grader from Minnesota, said, the winning Vermeer stood out for its "nice, smooth and clean flavour. It had a nice body and mouth-feel. A very clean taste."

The Yellow Bongo Band will perform blues and flamenco songs and other performances like belly dancing and a magic show will also be staged.

A play corner for children with a wide variety of activities and an instant family photo-taking booth, as well as many games including an apple-peeling competition, are all part of the event as well.

A lucky draw will feature high-value prizes from food and hospitality venues in Viet Nam and a return business-class ticket to Europe.

Tickets, available from August 24, are VND700,000 for adults and children over 12 years old and VND350,000 for children aged 6 to 11. Children under 6 are free.

Last year's European Food Festival attracted more than 1,000 people. — VNS