This year’s Taipei Culinary Exhibition (TCE) is under way. The event kicked off Friday, and features ingredients, cooking utensils and the art of cooking.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice President Wu Den-yih said that local cuisine has played a crucial role in Taiwan’s booming tourism industry.
Wu talked about what makes the local food culture stands out.
"When it comes to food, Taiwan has the world’s best environment, as Taiwan happens to be the place where East meets West. Chinese culture has laid a solid foundation in Taiwan, but Taiwanese characteristics have also enriched Chinese culture," Wu said. "In Taiwan, there are lots of [foreign] cuisines, including Japanese food, Korean barbecue, and steaks. It’s fair to say Taiwan is a melting pot for the best food in the world."
Wu said a survey released by the UK-based Guardian newspaper shows that Taiwan was one of the top 40 food destinations in 2014. Wu also said in an open Facebook poll released by CNN in June, Taiwan was ranked first among the planet’s top ten culinary hotspots.
The four-day Taipei Culinary Exhibition will run through July 20th.