Expats attend a gourmet food appreciation activity in Liaocheng, Shandong province on Nov 30. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Five expats in Liaocheng, Shandong province were invited to sample innovative dishes created by local cooks for the "New Era, New Shandong Cuisine" 2021 Shandong Cuisine Innovation Competition on Nov 30.

[Video provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The competition, themed on Shandong Cuisine or Lu Cuisine, one of China's eight great cuisines, kicked off on Sept 16 and will last until February 2022.

The competition, which encourages chefs to develop new dishes and aims to provide a platform for the inheritance and innovative development of Shandong cuisine, has attracted the attention and involvement of gourmets and cooks from around the world.

Fary (second from left) samples food during the event. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Iranian national Fary, who works as a teacher at the Peiwin Education Co of Peking University, has been living and working in Liaocheng for two years.

"One of my favorite dishes is the mutton grilled in red wine sauce. The meat is soft and fatty but not greasy. It melts in your mouth and tastes unique," said Fary.

"Liaocheng people are very friendly and helpful and have made my work and life more convenient. I hope to learn more about China and Chinese people and taste more Chinese food. "

A chef introduces dishes to Terry. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Pakistani national Terry, who currently teaches at a college in Liaocheng, has been in China for 13 years. He found the food appreciation activity to be interesting.

"Food is the most wonderful thing in each region, and the main purpose of my travels to each place is to taste the local cuisine," he said. "If you love the local food, you will love the local people."

He said that the crispy lamb meatballs was his favorite dish at the event. He also hopes to participate in such tastings again in the future.

Anna (right) samples dishes during the event. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Australian national Anna, who has lived in Liaocheng for more than three years, said she enjoyed the Chinese night market snacks and the donkey meat, one of Liaocheng's specialties.

"Liaocheng donkey meat is very delicious, similar to beef in texture, but not quite the same in taste. Chinese food has a variety of shapes and flavors and definitely worth tasting," she said.

Expats learn about Liaocheng cuisine. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]