Chef Chen Qing(L) passes along culinary secrets. (Photo/Xinhua)
China leads the world when it comes to global tourist spending. The number of Chinese travelling abroad for vacation and business increased from 83 million to 116 million over a period of two years.
And it's no surprise that tourism and business destinations, including Israel, want them to feel right at home at least during meal time.
Chef Chen Qing is passing along culinary secrets. To Chinese diners, the fact that porridge is a breakfast staple or that adding oil while cooking noodles hinders flavor is old news. But to this attentive crowd, the information is invaluable.
They want to please Chinese palates, and they're learning how from this Master Chef flown in from Beijing to teach them.
As this workshop is happening, there are three other workshops happening at the same time in different parts of Israel.
Some of the people who have come to hear what the chef has to say include students, chefs, hotel industry chefs and also food suppliers - vendors who provide the ingredients these people need to make Chinese food.
The number of Chinese travelers to Israel doubled between 2012 and 2014.
"You always have Chinese customers. Today, it's a lot of tourists coming from China to Israel so to be prepared," said George, caterer.
Inviting chefs to teach master workshops is an Israel Tourism Ministry initiative aimed at catering to the influx of Chinese visitors.
"Our hotel managers taught us that Chinese like rice and porridge prepared with water for breakfast, but he taught us today that they also like beans and other things, so we'll incorporate that on our menu," said Safot, Hotel Chef, Tel Aviv.
Chef Chen prepared three different types of porridge, Kung Pao chicken and fried beef with chilis. His biggest challenge?
"Cooking Kosher. I substituted authentic Chinese ingredients with Japanese ingredients - it's not the same," he said.
As more China travelers see the world, demand for knowledge of Chinese culture and lifestyle increases - not only in Israel.
"In the last three years, I've been invited to teach in England, the US and Israel. I think it's because the people who visit those countries appreciate good food, and that's why I'm invited," Chen said.
