PARIS — A Sino-French gastronomy festival aboard a boat along the Seine River has offered a delectable showcase of culinary innovation, featuring signature dishes like French scallops with pineapple, Brittany lobster with fried rice, and mille-feuille of red fruits with Bourbon vanilla.
The event, held on May 4, welcomed around 70 esteemed guests, including representatives from government, cultural circles, and the culinary industry from China and France. This festival is part of a series of premium cultural exchange events marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Renowned Cantonese cuisine chef Ku Chi-fai from China and French Michelin-starred chef Regis Douysset curated a memorable experience for attendees, incorporating seasonal ingredients such as truffles, white asparagus, and pineapples to blend the flavors of Chinese and French cuisines.
Reflecting on the culinary fusion, Chef Ku highlighted the unique appeal of Chinese cuisine and the challenges it faces in gaining international recognition, including adapting to different dietary habits and incorporating foreign ingredients to meet demands for innovation.
Amidst the feast, traditional cultural performances by Chinese and French artists added a vibrant touch, featuring guzheng zither and violin duets, alongside a collaborative rendition of a French song accompanied by Chinese dance.
The event also provided insights into Chinese tea culture, with guests observing traditional tea-serving techniques recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. French attendees savored biluochun, a renowned green tea from China’s Jiangsu province, and expressed admiration for its rich flavor.
Furthermore, a trendy Chinese herbal tea, known as “cold tea” in China, attracted interest from attendees. Representatives from Guangzhou Wanglaoji Pharmaceutical Company shared stories behind the herbal tea brand, emphasizing its unique approach to combining healthcare with gastronomy.
This gastronomy festival is among 16 major cultural exchange activities planned between China and France this year, as outlined in an agreement between the two governments.
