You don't have to be a celebrity to dine with celebrity chefs. Some of the world's most renowned wine producers, chefs and culinary artists will gather at Beijing's Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Financial Street for the inaugural Culinary Coin Festival on June 16. The first food and wine event of this magnitude ever held in China kicks off with an afternoon sampler (a steal at RMB100) then moves into two days of the hautest of haute cuisine Beijing has ever seen.

The all-star line up features some of the biggest names in world cuisine. Celebrity chefs include Michelin star chef Dieter Muller of the Schlosshotel Lerbach; the culinary team behind Michelin star restaurant Aimo e Nadia in Italy; Executive Chef Christophe Bellanca from world renowned Le Cirque in New York as well as Michele Garbuio, named Italy's best wine sommelier last year.

"The purpose of this event is to bring world-class chefs and world-class wineries to a world-class city like Beijing," says Ritz Hotel Manager, Robert Petrovic.

The festivities kick off with a special afternoon mixer in the hotel's porte-cochere starting at 3 p.m. Guests will sample exquisite champagnes, wines and coffees as well as tucking into chocolates and other delicacies from all over the world. Start with a bowl of latte from barista James Lu and a goodie from resident pastry chef, Charles Zhou, who recently led the all-China pastry team to the World Pastry Championship in Lyons, France. Then try a glass or two of fine wines curated by Garbuio, who leads a special wine tasting featuring rare vintages from Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Frescobaldi (the largest vineyard in Tuscany), Fratelli Giacosa and Angelini. At RMB100, this is the culinary scoop of the month.

Saturday night, three Ritz-Carlton restaurants will be transformed into a bon vivant's fantasyland with tastes from Germany at Greenfish created by Dieter Muller, French cuisine at Qi prepared by Christophe Bellanca and Italian fare at Cepe brought to you by Aimo e Nadia.

The weekend celebration of food ends with a sumptuous Sunday brunch that includes fresh seafood such as lobsters, oysters and prawns, free flowing champagne and, yes, more wine.

Saturday dinner at one of the three restaurants costs RMB1888 per person and Sunday brunch comes in at RMB388 per person. Seating is limited to 40 diners per dinner and reservations are required.

THE DETAILS

Culinary Coin Festival

Address:Ritz Carlton Hotel Financial Street
Date:June 16-17
Tel: 010-6601-6666
Website: www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/beijing_financial
Price:
RMB100 for kick-off sampler
RMB1888 for dinner
RMB388 for Sunday brunch