EZFM "Chopsticks &Beyond": Hottest Cuisine Contest KO Coldest Windy Weather

"Chopsticks &Beyond", a brand cooking activity of China Radio International's English Service, is held in Beijing on Jan. 23, 2016. Chefs from Thailand, India and China showed the audience how to make spicy Thai, Indian and Sichuan dishes. (Source: CRI.cn)

The cuisines from Thailand, India and China's Sichuan Province are renowned for their distinctively spicy flavors, but exactly how are they different?

On Jan. 23, EZFM (FM91.5 in Beijing), the domestic radio channel of China Radio International's English Service, held an exciting and fun cooking contest named "Chopsticks &Beyond". The contest challenged the taste buds of spectators, providing an opportunity to discover the fabulous flavors of various spicy ingredients at the InterContinental Hotel Beijing Financial Street.

Since the theme of this first contest of 2016 is "Hot and Spicy", chefs from Thailand, India and China have taught the audience how to make spicy Thai, Indian and Sichuan dishes. According to them, the unique taste of the spicy Thai cuisine comes from fresh chili and the sour flavor of lemon; Sichuan dishes are well-known by the dry and oily chili; while Indian's spiciness is from all kinds of powders of curry, chili and masala.

Four female hosts from EZFM, including the popular sister-like co-hosts Zhong Qiu and Lucy from afternoon show "Lady Lady", as well as Nian Xi from "Music Memories" and Sookie from "the Shuffle" were on hand to help guests and listeners get creative, and make their own spicy creations.

The winners were decided by a panel of professional judges. Yin Ying was voted as Champion who won a free vacation coupon to Thailand by cooking the best creative Indian dosa. She said it's the best beginning of the whole New Year.

There were also fun games with a spicy twist, aiming to challenge the palates of all those taking part.

Bangornrat Shinaprayoon, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand Beijing Office considered the event as a best way to introduce the culture of food. She said food is always an interesting way to draw attention from people from different countries, since when we travel, we always have some experience tasting the local food.

Liao Jibo, Director of EZFM said that 2016 marks the 30 anniversary of the domestic radio channel. He said EZFM would provide a whole new experience in its thirties, by exquisite shows through both on air and on the APP.

The event was not only showcasing the uniqueness of different cultures through a common interest of delicious food, but also promoting cultural exchange, and encouraging people to have an EZ life-style as well.

More than 80 fans braved the freezing weather to attend and join the "Hot" cooking event "Chopsticks &Beyond". The can celebrate the coming Chinese New Year together, with a "hot" dress code, which shares the same hue as the hot vegetables: red.

"Chopsticks &Beyond" the cooking contest has been a brand activity of China Radio International's English Service since 2013.