Cooperative spirit creates a mouthwatering menu

Michelin-starred chefs from two top restaurants in Beijing have combined their classic dishes in one menu, bringing a collision of flavors and visuals to dining tables.

The exclusive seven-course menu was offered in Peninsula Beijing's French restaurant Jing on Wednesday and Beijing Italian restaurant Opera Bombana on Thursday.

The executive chef of the Michelin-starred Jing, William Mahi, offered French cuisine using duck liver, langoustine and pre-desserts, which are some of the most popular dishes in the restaurant.

Andrea Susto, executive chef of Beijing Opera Bombana, offered beef with whipped potato and plum sauce, ravioli－oxtail dumplings with Yunnan mushroom sauce－and homemade fresh pasta with sea urchin.

The cooperation came from a chef gathering last year, when the two found they have a lot in common: both of them have long culinary careers and have worked at several Michelin-starred restaurants.

In addition, they respect each other's culinary philosophy and are dedicated to keeping traditions alive using the finest ingredients.

After much discussion, the two decided to cooperate on a menu in November last year.

The two chefs are satisfied with their collaboration and said they believed that the menu represented the best of modern French and Italian cuisine.

They also expect further opportunities to work together on desserts and other menus in the future.

Susto said the cooperation is instructive and they are considering sending their respective teams to learn from one another's restaurants.