HONG KONG – For 11 days only, Hong Kong is inviting visitors to experience art in a way that feels both playful and quietly radical: not just by looking, but by tasting. Set along the waterfront at the Central Harbourfront Event Space, the debut of the Central Yards Edible Art Fair (26 March to 5 April 2026) arrives as one of the most intriguing additions to this year’s Arts Month calendar. Across ten immersive galleries, each inspired by a defining art movement, visitors are guided through a multi-sensory journey where every installation is paired with an edible creation.

It’s experiential, highly visual, and deliberately designed to be accessible to everyone. But behind the spectacle is a carefully considered curatorial vision. “We’re kind of at the intersection of art, creativity, and taste,” says curator Levina Li-Cadman. “It’s a very different experience than just visually looking at art. We also want to give you a sense of taste to go with your cultural journey.”

That idea of expanding how art is experienced sits at the core of the fair. Rather than passively observing, visitors move through what Levina describes as “a bite-by-bite journey of art history,” where flavour becomes part of the narrative.

The concept itself began not in a gallery, but in the kitchen. “It really is Abby’s vision,” Levina explains, referring to founder Arbiona Cadman. “She started with the food art, and this fair is only possible because of many collaborators: artists, designers, culinary creators all together.”

From there, the layers fell into place: food first, then spatial design, then the pairing with art movements. The result is a seamless interplay between disciplines that feels both intuitive and unexpectedly rich, as the fair unfolds like a curated feast.

It begins with Pop It!, a vibrant nod to Neo-Pop art, where chrome balloons and playful forms set the tone. From there, visitors move through a series of distinct environments, each one immersive, photogenic, and anchored by a tasting moment.

In The Magic Makers, Angela Yuen transforms everyday objects into a nostalgic portrait of Hong Kong, paired with a whimsical chocolate creation inspired by local toys. Elsewhere, abstract expressionism becomes drinkable in Drip, where visitors pull a “Liquid Palette” straight from the installation itself.

Surrealism takes shape in Feast Your Eyes, where dreamlike visuals meet a coconut panna cotta filled with unexpected twists, an homage to Salvador Dalí and his famously eccentric dinner parties. “We talked about laying out a feast,” Levina says. “And then the idea grew and grew and we thought, how about a surrealism feast with lobster telephones and melting clocks?”

That train of thought led the team deep into art history. “We discovered Dalí created the logo of Chupa Chups, so we hand-created towers with over 650 Chupa Chups. What you’re looking at is also a little piece of art history.”

While the fair draws on global art movements, its heart is unmistakably local. “We definitely wanted to showcase Hong Kong talent,” Levina says. “To have the two Hong Kong artists telling a very Hong Kong story and to have a sense of place.”

That vision comes to life most vividly in the final gallery, Frogtopia, by Frog King (Kwok Mang-ho). Known for his exuberant philosophy that “art is life, life is art,” Frog King’s installation is equal parts playground and performance. “He literally hand-created 67 original artworks for the room,” Levina shares. “And then he said, ‘I want a biscuit that looks like my frog face, I’ll draw it for you.’”

The result? A savoury parmesan “Froggy Biscuit,” developed after testing more than a dozen cheeses. “He doesn’t like sweet biscuits,” she laughs. “Only cheese.” True to his belief in accessibility, Frog King also insisted that every visitor leaves with a piece of art. “It was very important for him as he wanted to gift everybody an artwork.”

If the experience feels cohesive, it’s because of the collaborative process behind it. “That’s really how all ten galleries came together,” Levina explains. “A group of collaborators working together to come up with the vision, the food, the design, and then us matching it with the right art movement.”

Surprisingly, she describes the process as organic. “It came together really seamlessly, because we love art. We’re constantly thinking about artists, exhibitions, what to curate.” The result is a rare kind of synergy, one where creative disciplines don’t just coexist, but actively shape one another. Beyond the installations, the fair expands into a social and interactive space. Visitors can linger in a lounge curated with cocktails and café offerings, browse lifestyle merchandise, or join hands-on workshops to create their own edible art.

But for Levina, the success of the fair isn’t measured in spectacle; it’s measured in curiosity. “If people just came away with two or three nuggets of thought about art, and had a great time, we’re super happy,” she says. “Maybe they’ll say, ‘Oh, I know who Frog King is,’ or ‘Now I understand surrealism.’”

That accessibility is intentional. “We thought it would be great if families and all ages can come through,” she adds. “Even if they just take away a couple pieces of art knowledge, it’d be kind of cool.”

The fair has been more than two years in the making, and already, there are hopes for what comes next. “We would love to see a second edition,” Levina says. “My dream would be to work with artists from different countries so the edible treats would have flavours of the world.”

For now, though, this first edition is about discovery. “It all starts with an idea,” she reflects. “And it all starts with the first step, this is our first step on this art and cultural journey.” And if the early buzz is any indication, it’s a step that might just redefine how we experience art, not just in Hong Kong, but far beyond.

Image Credits: Central Yards Edible Art Fair

Central Yards Edible Art Fair runs daily from 26th March to 5th April 2026, 10am to 9pm with timed entry slots, and tickets are available here