On July 26, 2004, the China Hotel Association and the Chongqing Municipal People's Government jointly issued a document confirming that the fifth Chinese Food Festival and the first Chongqing International Hot Pot Culture Festival will be held in Chongqing.

The Chongqing International Hot Pot Culture Festival was held in October 2004

On March 20, 2007, at the opening ceremony of the 3rd China (Chongqing) Hot Pot Food Culture Festival, the China Cuisine Association Officially awarded Chongqing the title of "Hot Pot Capital of China". It is the first time in Chinese history that a city is named after the "Hot Pot Capital".