IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the return of its annual Star Chef Gourmet Tour for a fourth consecutive year, bringing together hotels across Greater China to celebrate regional culinary traditions and foster cultural expression and emotional connection.

This year, the programme returns with a refreshed three-part journey: Origin, Authenticity and Craft, uniting culinary teams from nearly 50 hotels across the IHG portfolio. Through ingredient provenance, regional culinary traditions and contemporary craftsmanship, the year-long series showcases IHG’s diverse dining offerings and commitment to culinary innovation. The Journey of Origin marks the opening chapter, beginning at Crowne Plaza Hangzhou Science City.

“Today’s diners are looking for more than exceptional food — they are seeking cultural discovery, meaningful experiences and emotional connection,” says Jerome Qiu, Chief Operating Officer, IHG Greater China. “With more than 900 hotels across Greater China, IHG is uniquely positioned to bring together diverse culinary traditions, local dining expertise and regional food cultures, creating richer and more differentiated dining experiences for our guests. At the same time, we continue to invest in culinary talent development and innovation across our portfolio. Now in its fourth year, the Star Chef Gourmet Tour has become an important platform for collaboration and creativity, reflecting our long-term commitment to elevating hotel dining and strengthening its role in destination experiences.”

The opening chapter of the IHG Star Chef Gourmet Tour, Journey of Origin, is inspired by the theme ‘A Grain with a Thousand Flavours’, exploring the evolution of flavour through rice, a cornerstone of Chinese culinary culture. The experience explores how a single ingredient has shaped regional food traditions, everyday life and culinary creativity across generations.
For the opening chapter, culinary teams from IHG hotels across East and South China came together to reinterpret rice through regional ingredients, local techniques and personal culinary stories, inviting guests to discover the many ways a single ingredient can connect people, places and traditions in a one-night-only celebration.

The 2026 Star Chef Gourmet Tour will continue with two upcoming chapters — Journey of Authenticity and Journey of Craft. Together, the three chapters form a year-long exploration of ingredients, culinary traditions and innovation, while reflecting IHG’s long-standing strengths in diverse dining offerings, operational excellence and elevated guest experiences.