History
“Chinese Cooking” does not exist in a vacuum, but is both a cultural relic and an invitation to the world.
Mao Zedong
and
The Cultural Revolution
1966 - 1967
1966
Mao Zedong effectively closed China’s doors to the world while also leading violent attacks on the bourgeoise and the traditional values that tethered Chinese citizens to their heritage and identity.
China was shrouded in a threatening red curtain and the world only gained glimpses of the turmoil.
1976
Deng Xiaoping flipped the script completely.
Xiaoping’s administration oversaw an explosion of economic reforms that opened China’s doors to the world once again.
Even with the doors open, people needed an incentive to visit and experience this country that was previously embroiled in violent suppression and upheaval;
“Chinese Cooking” is that invitation.
Printed in 1983 in Beijing, “Chinese Cooking” was authored by a group of individuals whose main goal was to paint a vibrant and glowing picture for tourists.
This cookbook
reconnects with ancient traditions in order to present Chinese cuisine as the crown jewel of a transcending and “all conquering” culture.
1983
With easy to read figures, vibrant pictures, a family menu and even a tutorial on using chopsticks, this cookbook attracts a wide range of individuals, especially English-speaking families.
It is an invitation bursting with color, history and knowledge, written to entice and amaze.
Photo Gallery
Mao's Red Curtain
For most of the Maoist period, food was merely sustenance. It was condemned as bourgeois to value food as an art form. Chinese Cooking takes purposeful measures to respect Chinese cuisine as an amalgamation of technique, heritage and richness.
The authors assert that “Chinese people have continuously worked to enrich the culinary arts, making it a treasured part of human civilization.” This bold statement awes readers, helping them to envision Chinese cuisine as a living, breathing and ever evolving entity.
Food Takes the Front Seat
Food Takes the Front Seat
Tearing Down Mao's Red Curtain
China as the "Crown Jewel"
Chinese cuisine is not a treasure contained within the borders of China, it is precious gem for the entire human race.
Following a time of polarization and fear, the authors want to connect with the world on the most basic level…as humans and through food.
The recipes and techniques presented within the "Chinese Cooking" are a gift, accessible to all.
No longer is China the country shrouded in mystery, it is now a buzzing hotspot for tourists and visitors, a cultural epicenter ready to share its richness with the world.
Winding through history, techniques and regional flavors, the book crafts a story of precision, heritage and longevity, building upon China’s elevated status established in the preface.