Invitation to a Banquet: The Story of Chinese Food

Fuchsia Dunlop’s Invitation to a Banquet is the epic tale of the world’s most sophisticated gastronomic culture, told through a banquet of thirty Chinese dishes. Chinese was the earliest, truly global cuisine. When the first Chinese labourers began to sojourn and settle abroad, restaurants appeared in their wake. Yet Chinese food has the curious distinction of being both one of the world’s best-loved culinary traditions, and one of the least understood. In this talk, SCMP deputy culture editor and food and wine specialist Charmaine Mok sits down with James Beard Awardwinning cook and writer Fuchsia Dunlop to explore the history, philosophy and techniques of China’s rich and ancient culinary culture.

Moderator: Charmaine Mok, Deputy Culture Editor at SCMP