The winter solstice next Thursday (22nd) is the time for family reunion. A number of epidemic prevention measures were "untied" before the festival, the society recovered steadily, and the restriction on food in the hall was lifted, so that citizens could spend the most happy winter solstice in the past three years and go out to enjoy the winter. Some people in the catering industry pointed out that the cost of food materials has risen recently. Compared with previous years, many winter solstice packages this year have been marked up by 5% to 15%, but they are still confident that the market is ideal and the business can return to 90% before the epidemic. However, it is hard to predict that the pot dishes that once sold well under the epidemic will become more popular, and the Chinese set meal will again become the first choice for family customers, with an expected per capita consumption of more than 300 yuan Ta Kung Pao reporter Zhong Peixin will go out for a meal this winter solstice, or will the whole family stay at home to celebrate? Ta Kung Pao reporters interviewed many citizens in the street recently, and generally said that they had not decided yet. A middle-class family said that two years ago, the COVID-19 epidemic was so serious that they did not dare to go out. They had to stay at home for winter. Now, their relatives and friends have been vaccinated. In addition, the epidemic is becoming more stable, so they plan to meet their relatives and friends to have a big meal in the restaurant this year and have a good reunion. On the eve of the winter solstice, the government relaxed a number of epidemic prevention measures, cancelled the compulsory scanning of "safe travel" for entering restaurants, and also cancelled the "yellow code" arrangement, which surprised the catering industry. Huang Jiahe, president of the Hong Kong Food and Beverage Association, said that although Tang Shi still had to show its "vaccine pass", it was of great significance to take another step before returning to normal. Liang Zhenhua, the chairman of the Hong Kong Food Management Association, said that this winter solstice market road was more ideal than expected, and he was confident that the overall sales of the catering industry would return to 90% before the epidemic. However, at present, the indoor social distance of 1.5 meters should still be observed, and no more customers could be received. Taking the 10000 square foot venue as an example, 80 to 100 tables could be opened in the past, but now only 50 to 60 tables could be placed. In addition, the citizens are used to opening meals earlier in the past two years, Many restaurants can only do one round of evening market. In terms of price, according to the information provided by the industry, the overall price of the winter solstice package has increased by 5% to 15% compared with last year. The most obvious increase is the restaurant package. As for the price of potted vegetables, it is generally the same as in previous years. It is expected that the average per capita consumption of Chinese restaurants will be more than 300 yuan. Yang Dixing, president of the Hong Kong Food and Beverage Management Association, which operates restaurants, pointed out that the prices of food materials continued to rise, but businesses did not dare to completely pass on to consumers, only slightly adjusted the prices, and the average price of packages in its restaurants was only increased by 10%. Su Wancheng, the deputy general manager of London Grand Restaurant, said that the price of incoming goods had risen, and the price of the Winter Solstice banquet had also been slightly adjusted, focusing on eight dishes. There would be no shortage of "Italian head dishes", such as chicken, pigs, fish, shrimp balls, and pickled oysters. He hoped that customers would be satisfied and happy. The sales of potted vegetables in the world in turn lagged behind the previous epidemic situation. In addition, the takeaway winter solstice potted vegetables were very hot and became the first choice for family customers for two consecutive years. But this year, "the world turns", and the sales of potted vegetables lagged behind the Chinese set meals in restaurants. Deng Lianxing, the owner of the restaurant "Pingshan Traditional Pot Cuisine", said that the orders for potted vegetables booked this year had dropped by 30% compared with last year. As of the beginning of this week, there were only 22 orders. "It is unknown whether it is related to the weak consumption of the affected citizens. Only looking forward to the next week, the booking rate can increase." Huang Jielong, the honorary president of the Rice Seedling Catering Association, analyzed that with the relaxation of social distance, the citizens will