Program Overview
 

The program begins in Beijing, where participants will have several days to experience the capital's history, culture, and cuisine. Highlights include visits to the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Wangfujing, the Summer Palace, and local markets, along with opportunities to enjoy traditional Beijing cuisine, including Peking duck.
 

The core culinary training program begins on the forth day. At the culinary school, participants will take part in full-day hands-on cooking classes and develop practical knowledge of Chinese culinary techniques, ingredients, preparation methods, and professional kitchen practices. The program also includes opportunities to visit a local food market, meet representatives from food and restaurant businesses, and observe entrepreneurial ventures such as beverage and tea shops. These experiences are designed to connect classroom learning with China's rapidly developing food and hospitality industry.
 

The program then continues to Chengdu, one of China's best-known culinary destinations. Participants will attend additional cooking classes at a culinary school and experience the city's famous food culture. Cultural activities include exploring Kuanzhai Alley and local night markets, experiencing Sichuan cuisine and hot pot, and attending a Sichuan Opera face-changing performance.
 

A Culinary Journey Beyond the Classroom

A key feature of the program is the integration of hands-on culinary training with real-world cultural experiences. Participants will not only learn cooking techniques but also explore where ingredients come from, how restaurants operate, and how food businesses respond to changing consumer tastes. These activities provide a broader perspective on China's restaurant, food-service, and hospitality industries.

Cultural Exploration

The itinerary also provides substantial opportunities to experience Chinese culture outside the kitchen. In Beijing, participants will explore some of China's most important historical and cultural landmarks, including the Forbidden City, Great Wall, Summer Palace, and Temple of Heaven. In Chengdu, participants will visit the Giant Panda Base, explore traditional neighborhoods, and experience local entertainment and wellness culture.
 

There are also designated free days during the program, giving participants time to explore independently, shop, experience local life, or pursue their own interests.

Program Highlights

• 21 days in China

• Two major cities: Beijing and Chengdu

• Hands-on Chinese culinary training

• Professional culinary school experience in Baoding and Chengdu

• Visits to local food markets and restaurants

• Meetings with food-service and restaurant businesses

• Exposure to food and beverage entrepreneurship

• Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and Temple of Heaven

• Chengdu food and cultural experiences

• Sichuan cuisine and hot pot

• Sichuan Opera face-changing performance

• Giant Panda Base

• Local markets and traditional neighborhoods

• Free time for independent exploration

• Final-day completion ceremony in Chengdu
   

From Beijing to Chengdu: A Journey Through Chinese Food Culture

The program is designed as more than a cooking class and more than a sightseeing tour. It is a culinary and cultural journey through China, allowing participants to experience the relationship between food, history, local culture, hospitality, and entrepreneurship. By the end of the program, participants will have experienced Chinese cuisine in three different regional environments, learned in professional culinary settings, explored China's food and hospitality businesses, and gained firsthand cultural experiences that cannot be obtained through classroom learning alone.