On the evening of October 19th, the “Taste of Yichang” gourmet tasting activity in the 28th China Chef's Day was held at the Taohualing hotel, and the food with Yichang regional characteristics was favored by guests. (Reporter and photographer: Fu Beibei)

　　Every city has its own taste. The taste of Yichang is the taste of thousands of Landscapes.

　　On October 19, the 28th China Chef's Day "Taste of Yichang" Gourmet Tasting was held in the urban area. More than 1000 guests and chefs from all over the country gathered together to enjoy the food and feel the humanities through their taste buds. Jiang Junxian, the president of the China Cuisine Association, and Zhang Jiasheng, the deputy secretary of the municipal party committee and mayor, attended the event.

　　Before the formal opening of the tasting, Liangxia, Houttuynia, Mujiangzi, Yuan’an Chongcai, Xiangzi Tofu and other famous snacks and dishes made diners cannot help but taste them one by one. Liangxia is one of the most local snacks in Yichang, and soon it was consumed. Everyone said: “People in Yichang love to drink Liangxia, because there is a thick nostalgia in it."

　　In the spotlight, the fat fish hotpot with the seal of “Yichang Famous Cuisine • Yangtze River Fat Fish” was put on the table. Ye Qingnian, the Chinese master chef, said, “Rock Cave Banquet is unparalleled in the world, Fat Fish Soup is the most delicious dish of the Three Gorges”, the fat fish was the precious ingredient bred from the green hills and clear waters of Yichang, supplemented by the light cooking methods formed in the local for many years. Serving the fat fish as the first course was the best way to highlight our welcome to guests. The seal was uncovered and the true color of the fat fish came out. Its meat was smooth and jade-like, and its soup was glossy. It was full of elasticity and tasted delicious. Everyone said: “The fat fish boiled in live water is known as the godsend, and it really deserves its name!”

　　According to legend, when Wang Zhaojun was on the way of getting married outside the frontier, the burr on the cow gram seedling hooked her red clothes, and henceforth the cow gram was endowed with Zhaojun Red and named Zhaojun Cow Gram. With the melodious music of zither and pipa, Zhaojun Cow Gram was put on the table as the second hot dish, which seemed to bring everyone back to a thousand years ago all at once. Gao Qing, the propaganda ambassador of “Magnificent Three Gorges, Picturesque Yichang", introduced the famous dishes in hometown: Zhaojun Cow Gram enjoys the reputation of “king of beans” in Yichang, and it is a kind of traditional vegetable in the mountain, a good soup in the feast, and also a top quality dish with Tujia cured hoof.

　　In the yo-heave-ho of “please Taigezi (please lift the lattice)”, and the golden gong, two Tujia youngest sisters, dressed in national costumes, jointly put the dish on the table. Uncovering the top cover, the fresh pork, old pumpkin, and potatoes with the corn flour, glowing with golden and steaming aroma, immediately attracted the attention of all the diners. While waiting to have a taste, the Tujia folk song “Zayixi”, “take a sip of wine first, and then eat a piece of meat; take another sip of wine, and the mellow and smooth keeps in heart; take a sip of wine again, happy life is contained in it” was heard on the scene, the song, fused together with the fragrance of meat, leaving people a long aftertaste.

　　Around a few “main courses”, Qinjie fish-cake, Shuanglian chicken, radish dumplings, tea-flavored beef, Wufeng potatoes, Biyubaoxin and other dishes are excellent in color, aroma and taste. The guests at the scene enjoyed a big meal. Diners who are proficient in diet culture commented as follows: if “a little spicy” is the external style of Yichang flavor, the “original fresh flavor” is the internal “spirit and soul”.

　　There must be a famous master behind the famous dishes. When the banquet was coming to an end, 12 culinary masters including Yang Shanquan walked from behind the scene to the stage, and there was a warm applause at the scene. Everyone thanked them for their hard work and for bringing the most authentic Yichang flavor.

　　City leaders including Kong Fusheng, Zhou Zhengying and Wang Rong attended the event. (Reporter: Gao Wei; Liu Jinxin)