Food gala to offer French diners a taste of Hunan

With a history of more than 3,000 years and offering a selection of more than 4,000 dishes, Hunan cuisine is set to bring its je ne sais quoi to the French people, who are renowned for their appreciation of the culinary art.

On Aug 27, the Huatian Chinatown Restaurant in Paris will hold a gala that will present local diners with a range of delicious Hunan dishes.

As many as 10 Hunan cuisine masters, representing a number of renowned restaurants in Hunan, will show their skills and display their wares at the gala.

Xu Dabin, head chef at the Shaoshan Hotel in Shaoshan city, is among the leading chefs that will attend the gala. He called the gala a perfect platform for promoting Hunan cuisine.

"We have repeatedly asked ourselves the same question: What kind of dishes will appeal most to French people while still accurately representing typical Hunan cuisine?" Xu said.

"I discussed these problems with my fellow chefs, especially Xie Beiwen, head chef at Huatian Chinatown Restaurant. We have reached a consensus on the menu that will be featured at the gala," he added.

According to Xu, the menu will include a number of dishes showcasing the characteristics of various regions in Hunan.

However, Xu said: "We have made certain modifications to adapt to the tastes of French people."

Xu said he is confident that Hunan food will win over French diners.

"Many Hunan restaurants in overseas regions have operated, and continue to operate, successfully," Xu said, adding that he believes "this will also be the case with Hunan restaurants operating in France."

Hunan cuisine, also known as Xiang cuisine, consists of the cuisines of the Xiangjiang River, Dongting Lake, and western Hunan regions.

It is one of the top eight Chinese cuisines and is renowned for its spicy flavors, fresh aromas and striking colors.

Common cooking techniques of Hunan cuisine include stewing, frying, pot-roasting, braising, and smoking.

Due to the province's high agricultural output, Hunan dishes contain a wide variety of ingredients.

In recent years, Hunan cuisine has appeared in many countries and regions, coinciding with the rapidly increasing number of Chinese tourists. It also offers a new option to local diners in France.

The Huatian Chinatown Restaurant in Paris, which is operated by Huatian Group, a leading player in Hunan's catering industry, presents a genuine taste of Hunan to diners, both in France and across Europe.

zhaoshijun@chinadaily..com.cn

(China Daily European Weekly 08/26/2016 page16)