Experts Advise: Authentic Local Stories Make the Difference**

　　Quanzhou Daily, Nov 18 — Reporters Chen Yunqing & Chen Linghong

　　On November 13, the pre-competition briefing for the 2025 Quanzhou Mountain–Sea Chef King Competition was held, bringing together nearly 200 chefs who have advanced to the finals. Participants received a detailed explanation of the competition rules, completed a theory exam, and took part in guided familiarisation sessions to prepare for the highly anticipated finals on November 19 and 20.

Organising Committee staff guide competitors through on-site facilities

　　Expert Briefings + On-site Walkthroughs: Full Support for Competitors

　　Once registered, competitors immediately shifted into preparation mode, attentively taking notes as members of the judging panel offered professional guidance.

　　Cheng Zhenfang—senior registered Chinese culinary master and head of the judging committee—outlined the key elements of the three competition categories:

　　Morning, Nov 19: Rural Cuisine Skills Competition

　　Afternoon, Nov 19: Snack Skills Competition

　　Nov 20: Star Chef Skills Competition

　　Each category will award 10 Platinum Prizes and 10 Gold Prizes, in addition to naming a selection of recommended signature dishes and snacks.

　　"Food is a vessel of civilisation—an emotional and cultural bridge," Cheng noted. "Cooking is not only about precision in knife work and heat control; it is also a holistic expression of nutrition, aesthetics, and craftsmanship." He encouraged chefs to innovate boldly while staying rooted in culinary tradition.

　　Following the briefing, competitors joined staff for an on-site walkthrough, moving through the competition workflow—from check-in and cooking to plating and storytelling—to ensure familiarity with facilities and logistics.

　　Spotlight Feature: "Chef's Table Storytelling" Brings Culture to the Fore

　　A new highlight this year, the "Chef's Table Storytelling" segment, has become the most talked-about addition to the competition.

　　Yang Weifeng—cultural expert on the competition's judging panel and consultant for Quanzhou's UNESCO "City of Gastronomy" designation—provided an in-depth explanation of its purpose, scoring criteria, and best practices, illustrated with practical examples.

　　"There's no need to memorise material found online," Yang advised. Chefs should speak naturally—"as if chatting with a friend"—sharing local legends, rituals, personal memories related to the dish, or real interactions with diners. "Just like visitors, we judges want to hear genuine and down-to-earth stories drawn from real life."

　　He also suggested adding a four-character phrase as a cultural preface to a dish's name, noting that such titles act as "a narrative doorway," similar to the menu format used in the "One County, One Table" initiative.

　　The storytelling segment will be integrated into all three competition categories. It accounts for 10% of the total score in both the Star Chef and Rural Cuisine categories, and a higher 20% in the Snack Skills Competition—potentially determining final rankings.

　　Competition as Catalyst: Inspiring Maritime Silk Road Culinary Innovation

　　Hu Manrong—registered Chinese culinary master and chairman of the Fujian Culinary Association's Master Chefs Committee—commended the innovative value of introducing the storytelling element.

　　"Chefs are the custodians and interpreters of Quanzhou's culinary heritage. Sharing dishes through storytelling is an excellent way to communicate this culture," he said.

　　Hu encouraged competitors to deepen their understanding of Quanzhou's gastronomic traditions through mentorship, culinary exchanges, and greater engagement with local food history.

　　In alignment with Quanzhou's new status as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Hu proposed directions for creative fusion:

　　Using Quanzhou cooking techniques to reinterpret ingredients from Maritime Silk Road regions

　　Or applying international culinary methods to highlight local Quanzhou ingredients

　　Such approaches, he noted, can lead to the development of new Maritime Silk Road–themed dishes and further enrich the city's signature banquet system.

　　All Systems Ready: Storytelling May Become the Deciding Factor

　　All preparatory work for the 2025 Quanzhou Mountain–Sea Chef King Competition has now been completed.

　　The organising committee reminds finalists to prepare thoroughly—especially for the "Chef's Table Storytelling" component—so they can perform at their best and continue bringing fresh momentum to Quanzhou's thriving culinary sector.