The World Championship of Cookery in Taipei got underway June 26, attracting more than 500 Chinese cuisine chefs from Taiwan and around the world.
“Taipei City Government is leaving no stone unturned in promoting Taiwan gourmet food and culture, as well as exchanges between local and overseas chefs,” Mayor Hau Lung-bin said. “This event is part of our efforts to establish Taipei City as world gourmet capital.”
Hau, who made the remarks at the event opening ceremony, praised the championships for receiving recognition from leaders in Chinese cuisine around the world.
“Gourmet food is one of the reasons behind Taipei City’s growing appeal to visitors,” Hau said, citing the results of a recent survey published by U.S.-based MasterCard Inc.
The Global Destination Cities Index ranked Taipei City sixth in Asia-Pacific for international visitor spending, up from 13th the year before. It also forecasts Taipei’s international overnight visitor spending will hit US$8.1 billion this year.
Established in 2007, the four-day championships involve chefs from 12 countries and territories including Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and the U.S., according to event organizer Taipei Restaurant and Beverage Workers Union.
Individual competitors will contest the Guangdong, Jiangzhe and Sichuan cuisine divisions, along with groups formed by students and professional cooks. Total prize money for the championships is NT$1.36 million (US$45,405).
As of June 28, Taiwan won first and second place in Guangdong and Jiangzhe, as well as the top three places in Sichuan. (RC-JSM)
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