On Thursday, 28 August 2025, 57 industry professionals, including importers, distributors, retailers, chefs, restaurant owners, and representatives from e-commerce platforms, gathered at the Sofitel Saigon Plaza Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City for an exclusive European pork tasting event organised as part of the EU Pork, The Smart Choice campaign. The afternoon event, held from 14:00 to 17:00, offered attendees a unique opportunity to explore the quality, versatility, and sustainability of European pork.
The event began with a ham carving demonstration by a master carver, who shared insights into traditional carving techniques, the history of European ham, and the production process that ensures its premium quality. Following the demonstration, two professional chefs performed live cooking presentations, showcasing a variety of dishes prepared with EU pork. While the dishes were being prepared, one chef provided detailed explanations of EU pork’s key characteristics, highlighting aspects such as its tenderness, flavour, and suitability for both European and Vietnamese-style recipes. All explanations and presentations were delivered in Vietnamese for the attendees.
The tasting menu featured four main dishes prepared using different cuts of pork: crispy pork belly with artichoke confits and orange ginger sauce; roulade pork loin with spinach, pine nuts and creamy mustard sauce; slow-cooked pork collar with glazed potato, puree carrots and rosemary sauce; and braised pork spareribs with white beans and black olives. Each dish was paired with carefully selected Spanish and Portuguese wines to enhance the dining experience. After the cooking demonstrations, attendees had the chance to taste each dish, gaining a first-hand appreciation of the flavours and culinary potential of European pork.
