by Xinhua writer Yang Shilong
NEW YORK, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese New Year banquet was held Monday evening at the China Institute Culinary Center in Lower Manhattan, New York City, featuring an exquisite eight-course dinner prepared by five master chefs from Beijing.
The event began with a cocktail reception and a lion dance celebrating the Year of the Horse, followed by cultural gift bags and a gourmet dinner that offered guests a rich introduction to Chinese New Year traditions and regional cuisine.
"Chinese taste has never been confined to the palate alone. It is a living expression of Chinese culture and a vital window through which the world comes to understand China," said Zhang Weiguo, director-general of the China Center of International Cultural Exchange and Tourism Promotion.
Zhang highlighted the enduring bond between China and the United States, noting that despite the Pacific separating the two countries, people-to-people exchanges form the strongest connection between their societies.
"With its unique warmth and accessibility, culinary culture has become a natural bridge for fostering mutual understanding and deepening friendship between our two countries," he added.
For Yue-Sai Kan, co-chair of the board of the China Institute of America, the evening was meant to showcase Chinese culture through its food.
"The idea of a single 'taste of China' hardly captures the country's vast culinary scope," she said. "Chinese culinary culture is very rich and versatile."
The five chefs and artists from Beijing came not only to cook but also to share elements of Chinese cultural heritage. Alongside the dishes, guests encountered Beijing opera-inspired figures, traditional candies, and other handcrafted items that reflected the cultural background behind the cuisine.
She described the China Institute as a rare institution in the United States -- one that has endured for over a century as a hub for Chinese culture, spanning language education, exhibitions and culinary arts.
Among the guests was Peter Walker, an author and longtime observer of China, for whom the evening carried personal significance. He recalled his first trip to China 40 years ago, describing it as a profound spiritual journey.
Over the years, he added, his connection to China deepened through continued engagement with Chinese society and culture. "When I go back to China, I feel like I'm coming home," he said. ■