Print

Mail

wiki links

MOFA's Huang calls for culinary `soft diplomacy'

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is going to employ delicacies created by the restaurant DinTaiFung (鼎泰豐) to conduct "soft power diplomacy."

Chefs displayed their culinary skills in advance on Monday at the MOFA reception hall, serving tasty dishes and Taiwanese tea so delicious that their efforts were roundly applauded by the guests.

Describing the reception hall as brimming with the "luscious aroma of meat" from DinTaiFung specialties, Minister of Foreign Affairs James Huang (黃志芳) said earlier this week that introducing Taiwan's distinguished culinary culture to international society could be a creative tactic in the nation's attempt to break through China's diplomatic containment.

Renowned in the international culinary world, DinTaiFung is planning to send a group of 17 chefs to the UK and France to prepare all kinds of savory cuisine for their guests, including its famous steamed pork dumplings, steamed mashed red bean buns, chicken soup and Taiwanese tea, Huang said.

The event is being organized by the MOFA in cooperation with DinTaiFung and several other organizations, including the Council for Cultural Affairs, the Government Information Office, the Tourism Bureau, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council and the Evergreen Group.

Noted politicians, socialites, media executives, food critics and other celebrities will be invited to attend cookery demonsrations and tastings at Evergreen Group's London headquarters on Monday, and at Evergreen Laurel Hotel in Paris on Wednesday and Friday, Huang said.

Huang said that in the midst of a hard-fought diplomatic battle, the country can resort to soft tactics, such as "culture diplomacy," adding that the Taipei First Girls High School marching band, which performed in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo this summer, and the Taiwanese symphony black metal band ChthoniC, are good examples of "soft power diplomacy."
This story has been viewed 1646 times.