Grand feast of discovery awaits diners at Wanda

As one of the four great Chinese cuisines, Huaiyang may not be as famous as Cantonese and Sichuan, but it is dear to people living the lower reaches of the Huaihe and Yangtze rivers. Its lightly flavored, sweet and salty dishes feature the extensive use of rich broths.

A nationwide promotion of Huaiyang cuisine by Wanda Hotels and Resorts was launched in the city of Huai'an, a place of the origin of the cuisine, in Jiangsu province, on Thursday.

Over the coming eight months, 24 Wanda hotels in 24 cities around the country will provide guests with special menus to promote the culture of this classic cuisine, the history of which can be traced back more than 2,000 years.

Earlier this week, nine chefs of the hotel group visited Huai'an to attend a three-day workshop with Feng Xiangwen, a senior cooking master of the Huaiyang culinary art, who has cooked for several Chinese leaders.

The student cooks are all noted chefs in Wanda hotels, with some having spent half their lifetime in the kitchen.

During the training, the master taught the authentic way of cooking eight signature dishes of Huaiyang cuisine. They include braised shredded chicken with ham and dried tofu, braised meatballs in a clear broth with napa cabbage, and sliced eel with garlic.

At the launch ceremony, Feng was hired as an honorary consultant of Wanda Hotels and Resorts.

The company also signed long-term cooperation agreements with the Jiangsu Food and Drug Vocational School, Huai'an Technician College and Jiangyin Commercial School to train future chefs.

"As a Chinese hotel and resort company, we have a responsibility to promote traditional Chinese culinary and food culture," said Dong Jun, vice-president of Wanda Hotels and Resorts.

Founded in 1996, the company has seven brands in its portfolio. They range from midmarket to luxury hotels, such as Wanda Reign, Wanda Vista and Wanda Realm. It now operates 104 hotel properties across the country and has another 180 hotels in the pipeline.

"We sent our best chefs to Huai'an so that they can immerse themselves in the culture of Huaiyang cuisine, learn the history and hone their cooking skills," he said.

Wang Xianghong, vice-mayor of Huai'an, and officials from the local culture and tourism administration, as well as the local commercial commission, attended the event.