Delicious food, refreshing beer and live shows attracted a large crowd to the Sea World Square yesterday.

The Marine World Food Festival, which opened yesterday (Nov 22), is a major event in the 2005 International (Shenzhen) Tourism Festival. The gourmet thrill is set to continue for the next 10 days.

Visitors can taste a variety of flavors from different countries and regions at only 50 yuan (US$6.17) per head.

Fifty professional chefs served up teppanyaki along a blazing 100-meter-long stainless steel strip, which, according to organizers, is a candidate for the world's longest teppanyaki grill in the Guinness Book of World Records. With flames under the giant steel strip, it looked like a huge fire-breathing dragon making its way through the Sea World Plaza.

Germans Tanja Fritsch and Eva Hirsch, who were dressed in traditional German costume to promote a German beer, attracted many visitors who wanted to have photos taken with them. "We came to Shenzhen yesterday, after 12 hours of flying. We are very glad that the local people like our beer. The visitors are very enthusiastic and the atmosphere so cheerful," Fritsch said.

However, some visitors complained that the variety of food available was not large, and the food festival was far too crowded. Zheng Fenteng, who came from Futian District with his friends, said his group had enjoyed the event, but had been inconvenienced by the throngs of people.

Italian Marco Loglio, who came with his girlfriend, said the idea of organizing such an event was great, but the price was so cheap that it attracted too many people. "I would suggest the organizer ask for 100 yuan per person for entry. People can better enjoy themselves if there were fewer crowds."

Editor: Wing