In early May, 2024, the Taiwan Gourmet International Tour (US-Canada Route 1) arrived at its first stop in Phoenix, Arizona. The two events were held in a local wealthy businessman’s courtyard and at the Taiwan Fuke Church. The first event gathered politicians, businessmen, and guests from different ethnic backgrounds, while the second event saw around 80 Taiwanese compatriots and church volunteers coming together.
On May 3rd, Chen Min-yong, director of the Los Angeles Chinese Cultural and Educational Center, expressed his hope that the Taiwan food demonstration activities would deepen bilateral relations between Taiwan and Arizona. The VIP guests included Arizona State Representative Seth Blattman, Maricopa County Chair Jack Sellers, Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University Vice Dean Charla Griffy-Brown, Lee Huff from the office of U.S. Congressman Andy Biggs, Taylor Rogers from the office of U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, Keiko Conn, Chairperson of the Arizona Japanese Association, and officials from local Taiwan Semiconductor supply chain companies.
Chef Li Jiaqi and his assistant chef Liao Taijun demonstrated the preparation of seven dishes including soy milk crispy chicken, black pepper beef, and pumpkin fried rice noodles. Overseas Community Affairs Commission sponsor Chen Yuting provided pearl milk tea, which received praise with thumbs up from the attending guests.
The events on the 3rd and 4th were organized by Wu Wenrui from the Overseas Community Affairs Commission, Yan Yuping and the team from the Arizona Taiwanese Association, Guan Zhiguang and Tiffany from the Taiwanese Public Affairs Association Arizona Chapter, Kris and several other students from the Arizona State University Taiwanese Student Association, and about a hundred volunteer compatriots.
Pastor Wang from the Taiwan Fuke Church presided over the opening ceremony of the food demonstration and promotion event on the 4th. During his speech, Chen Min-yong encouraged the attendees to promote Taiwanese cuisine to the local mainstream community. He also introduced the six major community platforms of the Overseas Community Affairs Commission and invited compatriots to actively apply for the iCompatriot Card. Cole Lapham and 2023 Miss Taiwanese-American Huang Yunrong jointly hosted the day’s activities.
The cameras captured the process of making five Taiwanese dishes during the day, including Lan Yang stewed pork, Taiwanese flower wine chicken, classic five-flavor tofu, soy milk crispy chicken, and pumpkin fried rice noodles, showing the cooking techniques of each dish to the audience. As they enjoyed the delicious food, the authentic aroma of Taiwanese cuisine filled the entire room, and the attendees couldn’t stop praising it.
After the teaching session, Wu Wenrui hosted a Q&A session where the two chef instructors and the compatriots interacted warmly, sharing their culinary experiences and thoughts, creating a joyful and friendly atmosphere on-site.