Western food culture festival kicks off in NE China's Harbin

(ECNS) - The 8th China International Western Food Culture Festival kicked off in Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Wednesday.

Chefs from France, Italy, Germany, Russia, and other countries joined foreign singers in a parade of floats along Central Street as part of the festivities.

The festival will last five days, with representatives operating western cuisine enterprises from across Chinato visiting well-known western restaurants in Harbin for exchanges.

"Harbin's Russian-style cuisine is truly authentic and very popular. Every year, I receive numerous tourists who come here to taste our dishes,” said Lev Ivan, a head chef at a western restaurant in Harbin.

“I will discuss dishes and preparation techniques of western cuisine with chefs from around the world. I am really looking forward to it," Ivan said, who had previously served as head chef at several restaurants in Amur Oblast, Russia.

During the event, the 9th National Hotel Industry Vocational Skills Competition Western Style Cookery Finals, CHA China Food Cooking Championships, and other competitions will be held. Artistic performances such as instrumental playing, traditional songs and dances, and small-scale choirs will also be staged on Central Avenue.

Harbin is a city characterized by diverse cultural influences. It's also one of the earliest cities in China to introduce and popularize western cuisine. In 2017, Harbin was awarded the title of "China's Western Cuisine Capital."