A FLORIDIAN IN CHINA

Is that anything like AN AMERICAN IN PARIS?

Yes, absolutely. And I’ve done that one too! Ask me to tell you that story sometime.

It all began when I was 10 years old. Mom used to take us to a local Chinese restaurant in Rockville Center, New York, for lunch. I’d always order more than I could eat, with the resulting comment of “Your eyes are bigger than your stomach.” True. From then on, all things Chinese held a fascination for this girl. In college, I minored in Chinese. At my first job out of college, Proofreader at the UN, I continued my studies of Chinese. Then, impatient for still more China, I accepted a job in Taiwan as an Editor of an English language newspaper. Although I wanted to go to China, this was 1968 and China was “closed” to the world. I lived in Taiwan for a year, where I studied Chinese Language and Culture at Taiwan Normal University. Subsequently, I accepted a position teaching French at Taipei American School. French was my major in college. Full language and culture immersion.
Then I met my French husband, moved to France and lived “the French life” for the next 15 years. China would have to wait.

Last year, when my good friend Douglas, a Wellington Polo Club resident and entrepreneur, announced out of the blue that he was moving to China to teach English. the spark arose within me once again for the “China experience”.

After that, things moved rapidly. In November, I was offered a “Travel Agent’s Familiarization Trip” to China. Yes, sign me up.

I’ve been to China twice since then, and I am delighted to report that China is all I expected and more! To have witnessed the “closed” China and the China of today is both fascinating and astonishing. To see the next world superpower and to know its friendly and gracious people, to explore business opportunities and the history and culture of China is my passion. I hope my experiences kindle in you an interest to explore this beautiful and mighty country soon.

My work now is to provide cultural and educational exchanges between China and other world citizens. The Chinese love Americans. Their history of expertise in Chinese Cooking, Chinese Language and Culture, Martial Arts, Feng Shui, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Massage, just to name a few topics, are all readily available for the American student. My company, China Sports And Travel, provides all inclusive, cost effective, ways to learn and exchange cultures with the Chinese.

China Club. If you’ve been, you know. You’re a member of the Club. If you haven’t , believe me (and anyone who has been to China)…it’s a MUST VISIT on the list of world destinations. The Great Wall was just voted one of the 7 Wonders of the World. AND IT IS!!! And once you go, you will want to return to The Middle Kingdom…

Here’s our story. On June 20th, 2007, less than one month ago, six intrepid Floridians plunged boldly where no Americans had ever gone. On July 4th, seventeen more Americans and representatives from as far off as South Africa met in Beijing.
These journeys were to be the inaugural voyages of the soon to be famous “China Cooking School Tour” ( with English speaking guides).

Imagine yourself dining on the most incredible Chinese food you have ever had… 3 times a day, at least. It’s better than a cruise ship – and much healthier. Gourmet taste buds, get ready for an adventure like none you have had before.

Not only did we eat our way through China, experiencing delicious meals at every breakfast, lunch and dinner, but we learned how talented Chinese chefs prepare the great gourmet dishes of China. And, after we watched, and participated, we ate again.

We ate at hotel restaurants. We ate at the finest restaurants. We ate at Chinese families’ homes. We ate in villages that are over 1500 years old. We ate at cooking school, not the least of which was the Peking Duck that we learned to prepare. Did you know that it takes 2 days to prepare the duck? A good cook will slice 108 times for one duck with 14 kinds of slice ways, which is like making carving an art form. You can take that piece of information to “Jeopardy”.

When we weren’t cooking, we were visiting the magnificent sights of ancient and modern China. Here’s just a sampling of what we did…
We climbed The Great Wall – just voted one of the Seven Great Wonders of the World.
We became heroes. Legend has it that one is not a hero until one has climbed The Great Wall.
We visited The Forbidden City, The Summer Palace, and enjoyed a Tea Ceremony in Beijing.

We had our bodies rubbed and our feet rubbed (although sometimes we had to say “ouch” to instruct the therapists to be more gentle). It all felt great.
We had consultations by Acupuncturists in the world’s largest Herbal Pharmacy.
We went to market in Suzhou by boat. Suzhou is the Venice of the Orient, and an amazing city and home to a large majority of ancient Chinese artists and scholars.
We drank healing teas at the Jade Buddha Temple in Shanghai.
We saw the factories where the art of silk making, cloisonné, jade carving, embroidery are still very much alive and fascinating with artisans who may be a dying breed in modern China.
We dined at the homes of Chinese families.
And, of course, my personal favorite – we rafted down the Li River in Yangshou,
the place where one finds one’s China soul. A magical, mystical place where ancient China still lives. And ask anyone who has seen the Liu San Jie Spectacular, and they will say it is an incredible experience. Not to be missed!

Back to “Chinese Cooking School Tour”.
We learned first by demonstration and then by participation. This is the Chinese way. We took our turns at preparing such dishes as sweet and sour pork, stir fried beans in hot sauce, shredded port with fishy flavor, and fried chicken with peanuts. Before we left, we knew how to make Peking duck, how many slices to cut it into when cooked, and, last, but not least, how to carve beautiful roses from a red cabbage and sculpt a bird from a carrot stick. Of course, the “piece de resistance” for me were… the dumplings. You would not believe what an art form it is to pleat that dough into the steamed dumplings that we all adore. We made the filling, the dough, and steamed them as well. We also learned how to cook Chinese meatballs with a flavorful soy sauce based coating.

After three different cooking schools in three cities, and over 20 hours of cooking classes, I still am embarrassed to say that I probably can’t cook a Chinese meal yet. In addition, I’ve asked for a wok for my birthday this month. At least I need the basic tools. I actually went out a bought a rice steamer yesterday. It’s a start…
In my recipe book, Chinese Cooking is right behind French Cuisine as top on the list of best sauces.

The group members were honored with Certificates of Completion from each Chinese Cooking School. AND the outfit complete with Chef’s hat from the New Oriental Cooking School, one of Beijing’s finest. Now if I could only learn how to make that sauce…

Chinese chefs attend Cooking School for 3-5 years. Then they are eligible to work as a Chef in a fine restaurant and other executive positions. They are intense and excited about their work. The school in Suzhou had about 300 students enrolled in the program. The results are astounding.

We learned vegetable carving from an award winning Master Chef. See pictures. We studied dumpling making with a woman Chef from a 5 star hotel in Shanghai. I am humbled by their talent in the Art of Chinese Cooking.

We ate everything. No, dog and monkey are not part of the menu. I must admit that the night we had a royal feast of squid, octopus, and some unusual seafood dishes, however, I stuck to my veggies and rice. Sherry called me “a wimp”. It’s true. The hot sauces and the rare edibles were beyond me. But that was only one meal. I probably needed to slow down anyway. It’s all so yummy… And the service is supberb. And you eat and leave… it’s all included in the tour.

We dined at the home of Chinese families who prepared us lunch. We dined at the finest restaurants. We ate every one of the breakfast, lunch and dinners that were included on the tour. We never missed a meal. A gourmand’s paradise. Nothing like Chinese food here in the US…

On returning from my journey and reflecting upon its meaning in the scheme of life, clarity comes. Sometimes one has to travel far to come home. It’s a good thing. And the Chinese people are gracious, helpful and love to speak English. They love Americans, and emulate our lifestyle. One feels safe in China. And, on the fast track to becoming a world superpower, nice to understand our friends on the other side of the world.

What I have learned from the China Cooking School Tour is a great respect and honor for the Chinese Masters of the Art of Chinese Cooking. Imagine taking a carrot stick and carving a bird… simply to place as a garnish on a plate of food for the aesthetic pleasure of the recipient, and for the thrill of having mastered the art of vegetable carving. Not to mention the two day process of making Peking Duck, and the carving as an exact art.

And I have a desire to know more.
Since I love Chinese food, and haven’t found a good authentic Chinese restaurant here in my area, I’m going to have to learn to cook it myself. The China Cooking School Tour has given me the “where to go when you want to know”. I look forward to more China Cooking School Tours and to sharing a meal with new friends.

If you and your friends, colleagues or groups are interested in participating in a
China Cooking School Tours, please contact me at 561-844-3882. Half day and full day School options are available. No cooking experience necessary.

Joy Dupont
China Sports And Travel
China Travel Specialist
FL Seller of Travel ST36596
561-844-3882
iamlove@bellsouth.net
www.ChinaSportsAndTravel.com
7/19/2007