Ecuadorean food festival gets cooking in Foshan

A gastronomic festival featuring Ecuadorean dishes opened in Foshan, Guangdong province, on Monday, aiming to promote the Andean nation's cuisine and culture in the prosperous and heavily populated South China region.

The festival — Exquisite Ecuador — is being held at the Longyatt Hotel for three months and is expected to attract more than 20,000 diners.

"Organizing such a gourmet festival in Foshan is expected to further diversify Ecuador's export markets and help increase its cuisine's market share in southern China," said Paul Penaherrera, director of Ecuador's commercial office in Guangzhou.

Seafood from Ecuador and South America overall has great potential in the Guangdong market, a region long known for its delicious cuisine, he added.

Ecuadorean chef Jose Luis Molestina said diners at the festival will be able to enjoy traditional Ecuadorean entrees, including shrimp and potato dishes.

The festival's opening ceremony was attended by senior officials and business executives, chefs and chambers of commerce representatives.