Chongqing- The special event "Tasty Chongqing" was held at the Jiulongpo Huali Banquet Cultural and Art Banquet Center on July 14, where international students from ten different countries, including Nepal, Pakistan, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, each followed ten chefs as they learned how to cook famous dishes from Jiulongpo District and enjoy Chinese food culture together.
In a prelude to the event, members of the Han Pottery Literature and Art Club from Taojia Town presented the Han Clothing exhibition show to Chinese and foreign friends. At the same time, a solemn recreation of the "King of Ba" wedding allowed guests to experience the glorious millennia-old history of this ancient kingdom.
A Han clothing exhibition show provided an exciting prelude before the Jiulongpo event of Tasty Chongqing commenced. (Photograph provided by the Smart Roadshow International News Centre)
Following an hour of intense preparation, ten delicacies, such as Old Lady Qin Yun's Noodles, Huali Banquet Braised Pork, Ran Ji Bean Fish Hot Pot, Taoranju Spicy Field Snail, Shancheng Big Sweet Dumplings, Erlang Braised Goose, Twice-cooked Pork, Qilin Ginger Fried Chicken, Taojia Pepper Rabbit, Liu Yishou Hot Pot, and other delicacies were served one after another.
A Lei from Bolivia has been studying in Chongqing for two years. Before coming to China, he rarely ate spicy food, but as soon as he arrived in Chongqing, he was taken by Chinese friends to try Chongqing hot pot. "It was spicy at first, but now I have fallen in love with the food, such as Chongqing noodles." A Lei learned how to make Ranji Bean Fish Hot Pot under the tutelage of an expert chef during the event.
Expert chefs and international students worldwide were introduced on stage before preparing famous dishes from Jiulongpo. (Photograph provided by the Smart Roadshow International News Centre)
Shi Weixing, general manager of Huali Banquet Culture and Art Banquet Center, commented that China was a country of etiquette, food, and traditional clothing. This meaningful activity combines elements of traditional culture with the famous dishes of Jiulongpo, both on and offline. "Welcome to Jiulongpo and Huali Banquet to enjoy Chinese etiquette, taste Chinese food, and showcase Chinese demeanor!" Shi added.
A representative of the Jiulongpo Publicity Department commented that interaction and exchange of cooking skills among foreign friends would allow the flavors of Chongqing to be transmitted worldwide and create a bridge of friendship in the promotion of mutual understanding. "Jiulongpo, which has a lot of delicious food, welcomes friends from all over the world."
A Lei from Bolivia learned how to make Ranji Bean Fish Hotpot from an expert chef live at the Tasty Chongqing event. (Photograph provided by the Smart Roadshow International News Centre)
Expert and public judges rated the dishes based on taste, texture, perception, nutritional balance, and innovation. At the same time, online voting was opened through the official accounts of Smart Roadshow following the event and will last for six months.
The final result of the competition will be jointly decided through on-site and online voting, after which the most representative of Jiulongpo cuisine will be selected. The dishes will be included among the list of candidates for recommended dishes for Chinese embassies and consulates abroad, as well as Chinese-funded institutions and consulates in Chongqing.