Two chefs from Pingtan, E China's Fujian province, have emerged victorious at the 2024 New Fujian Cuisine Innovation Skills Competition held in Shishi city in the province. Chen Guanglan and Lin Jianquan, representing the Pingtan Catering and Cooking Association, secured the Special Gold Award and Gold Award respectively, with the association itself earning the Outstanding Organization Award.

"Competitions like these are a fantastic platform to showcase the innovative skills of Fujian cuisine," said Yang Jie, executive vice president of the Pingtan Catering and Cooking Association. "Our participants have taken the essence of seafood and transformed it into culinary masterpieces that highlight the unique charm of Pingtan cuisine within the broader context of Fujian culinary innovation.

Red Mushroom Chicken Soup with Zhanggang Clams [Photo provided by interviewee]

Pingtan Abalone with Wine Sauce [Photo provided by interviewee]

Dendrobium Dew Duck [Photo provided by interviewee]

The chefs' creations included delectable dishes such as Red Mushroom Chicken Soup with Zhanggang Clams, Pingtan Abalone with Wine Sauce, and Dendrobium Dew Duck, which captivated the judges and attendees alike.

The competition, organized by the Fujian Provincial Department of Commerce and the Provincial Federation of Trade Unions, saw over 100 contestants vying for the top spots.