Asian Cuisine Festival: Promoting and protecting Chinese food culture
Updated 19:12, 21-May-2019
BY CGTN’s Wu Lei
["china"]
02:39
‍At the Asian Cuisine Festival, visitors not only get to try delicacies from different countries, they also get a better understanding of cultures through traditional tableware. 
Pieces on show aren't ordinary ones. They were used at the state banquets for leaders who attended the BRICS summit in Xiamen in 2017 and the G20 summit in Hangzhou in 2016.
This handmade purple clay teapot is one of the most popular items among tea lovers. But this craftsmanship is at risk of disappearing. /CGTN Photo

This handmade purple clay teapot is one of the most popular items among tea lovers. But this craftsmanship is at risk of disappearing. /CGTN Photo

These delicate tableware pieces represent the manners and customs of China, Wu Guangrong, the deputy director of the art museum at the China Academy of Art, told CGTN. They were specially designed and prepared for the state banquets, and designers had to take into full consideration of variety, patterns, and shapes.
Designers used flowers to show elegance and yet depict everyday life. As the main feature of several state banquets, these sets have become popular across China and the world.
Tea sets are also a key part of Chinese food culture. Gao Dezhi, 99, has been making purple clay teapots since he was 13. This kind of skill is usually passed down generations or taught to those who are passionate about the craft. But Master Gao says it is now very difficult to find such people.
In order to promote and protect skills at risk of disappearing, local authorities have built a special museum where masters can showcase their craftsmanship. /CGTN Photo

In order to promote and protect skills at risk of disappearing, local authorities have built a special museum where masters can showcase their craftsmanship. /CGTN Photo

Gao told CGTN that his son and daughter are not interested in learning how to make teapots. They already earn a lot of money working in the finance sector. People cannot create such things if they have no interest in acquiring the skill.
But Master Gao says he will continue doing this as long as time and health permit, and he will always be willing to teach anyone who wants to learn this skill. 
At the Asian Cuisine Festival, dozens of elegant purple clay teapots are on display. As Master Gao says, the key to protecting this kind of craftsmanship is by cultivating people's interests in the art.
(Cover Image: Two sets of delicate china tableware are being displayed at the Asian Cuisine Festival in Hangzhou. /CGTN Photo)