Fo Guang Shan NZ Art Gallery – Gala Dinner

In order to creating a chance for Westerners to experience Eastern culture, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South Island New Zealand Art Gallery 2 organised on the 15th January at 6:00pm a Year of the Dragon Gala Dinner. The event was held in the Dining Hall with attendance of about 30 people. The ushers for the event were Sally Lim and Ping, with Seeshen Lee who is in charge of the Gala Dinner MC.

The courses for the night were Eastern style dishes, presented aesthetically and eaten in a high-class Western style. The top chef’s of the temple’s very own Water Tea House were the ones responsible for the designs and clever innovations of the mouth-watering courses which tempted the guests. The vegetarian dishes were finely crafted to perfection, indulging the guests with a multitude of tastes, smells and sights. The dinner consisted of: entrée, salad, main dish, dessert and coffee or tea, giving the guests a wide variety of selections. The guests while enjoying their meal, were entertained with traditional instruments of “erhu” and “guzheng”, as well as Qing Dynasty princess dance. At the end of the event, the guests were all pleasantly surprised with auspicious red packets, usually given to friends and family during Chinese New Year.

The event received excellent response from the guests and many said they would come back next year. The vegetarian food received much praise as being delicious, creative and healthy. Many new friendships and connections were made across the dinner table, and most were looking forward to celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year. The guests were invited to the temple once again during the few days of celebration to offer incense and enjoy the festive atmosphere.