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Discover the flavors of Shantou from the Imperial Springs

On the charcoal stove, the juices of a huge sea whelk are bubbling and boiling. As the chef pours liquor on it, the tongues of golden flames shoot up into the air, dancing around the whelk. On June 11, Chen Jinquan, a Guangdong Cooking Master cooked a famous Chaoshan dish - BBQ Sea Whelks at the Imperial Springs International Food & Culture Festival.

Chen Jinquan cooked a famous Chaoshan dish - BBQ Sea Whelks. (Photo: Newsgd.com)

On the evening, the 2022 Imperial Springs International Food and Culture Festival kicked off at Guangzhou's Imperial Springs. At the opening ceremony, Dr Chau Chak Wing, Chair of the Asia-Pacific Region World Leadership Alliance, extended a heartfelt welcome to guests from all sides on behalf of the organizers, hoping to promote mutual understanding and strengthen in-depth cooperation through food and cultural exchanges. 

During the Festival, Chinese cuisine and different cuisines from all over the world met each other at the Imperial Springs. Representatives from the Consulates General of Japan, Thailand, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Argentina, Panama, and Hungary attended the event.

Crispy Shrimp Paste. (Photo: Newsgd.com)

Shantou is a famous hometown of overseas Chinese who leave footprints all over the world, which makes Chaoshan cuisine one of the most widely spread and representative Chinese cuisines across the world.

"I had lunch in Chaozhou and dinner in Jieyang the day before yesterday, and yesterday I had lunch in Shantou. Chaoshan cuisine is quite savory, and this trip was like a preview for this event," said Han Jae Heuk, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Guangzhou. He is very familiar with his favorite Chaoshan cuisine, Puning tofu, Kungfu tea, various kinds of seafood, and fresh bamboo shoots. 

Han also spoke highly of this festival. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the China and ROK. According to Han, it is of great importance to use delicacies as a medium to enhance mutual understanding and promote mutual learning among different civilizations.

"One of our main tasks is to promote exchanges between peoples of Guangdong and Hungary," Peter Varfi, Consul General of Hungary in Guangzhou, told GDToday. 

He added, "As food is part of our culture, it's really important to promote and deliver good food and bring prosperous cooperation to each other."

Chen Gengnan, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports of Shantou Municipality, said that Shantou cuisine has a profound history, integrates the strengths of many cuisines, and thus enjoys a good reputation at home and abroad. 

"By participating in the Festival, Shantou cuisine will be better in line with international standards, and more foreign friends will have a deep understanding of Shantou’s culture and folklore." Chen noted, to make Shantou a global foodie’s hotspot, the city will improve the infrastructure related to food, for example, building a food museum.

According to the organizers, the 2022 Imperial Springs International Food and Culture Festival will introduce cuisines from all over the world with national or local theme days.

Author | Hannah, Keane, Krystal (intern)

Editor | Wing, Keane, Monica, Jerry

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