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Discovery Network and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) present a captivating television program that explores Taiwan’s rich and diverse culinary landscape.
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The hour-long show captures the tradition and innovation that shape Taiwan’s culinary identity, including Michelin-starred establishments like Mountain & Sea, Din Tai Fung and RAW.
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Explore bustling night markets like Huaxi Street and iconic restaurants to understand Taiwan’s street food culture.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – November 30, 2023 – Discovery, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan), presents
Food Masters: the taste of Taiwanwhich will premiere on Discovery on December 7 at 7:10 p.m. on Asian Food Network, December 11 at 8 p.m.
In search of discovering Taiwan’s culinary identity,
Food Masters: the taste of Taiwan explores a revolutionary journey led by food experts, farmers and Michelin-starred chefs. From high-end cuisines to bustling night markets, the show captures the essence of Taiwanese cuisine, redefining traditional flavors and introducing them to the world.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROC (Taiwan),
Food Masters: the taste of Taiwan shares the stories that make Taiwanese cuisine a vibrant experience for audiences around the world.
To experience the uniqueness of Taiwanese cuisine, chefs present traditional flavors with innovative twists, marrying the island’s abundant ingredients and cultural diversity.
The show unveils the stories of culinary pioneers like chef Leo Tsai, whose Mountain & Sea restaurant seamlessly blends tradition and modern awareness. The forgotten opulence of Taiwanese gastronomy from the 1930s is resurrected and passed down through the ages. Having achieved a Michelin Green Star, the restaurant’s exclusive use of sustainable ingredients shows its commitment to promoting organic cuisine. In addition to capturing the human connection and emotion found in Taiwanese cuisine, Mountain & Sea masterfully blends organic produce, sustainability and delectability, setting an exceptional standard in the culinary world.
Din Tai Fung, born in 1958 and known worldwide for his meticulously crafted and labor-intensive Xiao Long Bao, embodies simplicity and authenticity while mentoring artisans around the world. According to Shawn Yang, Chief Strategy Officer: “Customers come to restaurants looking for that familiar taste. How can we satisfy them and offer the same Xiao Long Bao every day, every year, every decade? Maintaining precision to the thousandth of a gram is crucial to meeting quality standards, with the Xiao Long Bao weighing 21 grams and only allowing a tolerance of ±0.4 grams. Din Tai Fung cuisine also applies the “18 folds of gold” requirement. The mentoring system forms the basis for ensuring consistent quality across the brand’s 177 global branches. Through the selfless transfer of knowledge, Din Tai Fung establishes consistent culinary taste and warm service, conquering the hearts and palates of foodies around the world.
RAW, led by Chef Andre Chiang, champions sourcing local ingredients and infusing Taiwanese flavors with Western techniques for sustainable and inclusive cuisine. Chef Chiang’s original intention was that everything customers eat would have a connection to culture, sparking a trend in the local gourmet industry to value local ingredients. Leading a team of young Taiwanese chefs, Chef Chiang actively researches and uses lesser-known local ingredients, introducing the essence of Taiwan’s new flavor to the world.
Nestled in the mountains, chef Alex Peng’s upscale AKAME restaurant changes its menu daily based on local produce and provides livelihood opportunities for indigenous communities. Coming from the Rukai tribe and with a vision in mind, Chef Peng created this restaurant to offer indigenous youth a chance to reconnect with their roots while inviting others to explore the culture of the mountains. The name “AKAME,” meaning “grill,” pays homage to Chef Peng’s indigenous cooking techniques, showcasing these flavors from around the world through his delicious dishes. He continually searches for local ingredients, exploring their various possibilities: for example, he uses locally produced milk to make millet wine cheese and Mapo cheese and sources cocoa from neighboring tribes to concoct a gourmet chocolate sauce for the churros.
The show also explores Taiwan’s vibrant street food scene, from bustling night markets to traditional breakfast restaurants. Huaxi Street, located in the central Wanhua area of Taipei, preserves tradition with consistent flavors that hold firmly to the island’s culinary identity. Wang’s Broth adds a contemporary twist to the famous braised pork rice, exemplifying the spirit of Taiwan’s street food. Soft Power, under the leadership of Avon Hsu, connects young customers to traditional Taiwanese breakfast with a crispy and innovative egg pancake.
Taiwanese cuisine is defined by friendliness, warmth and a dynamic mix of cultures and flavors.
Food Masters: the taste of Taiwan captures the heart and soul of Taiwan, where every bite contains a story of tradition, ingenuity and cultural richness.
Food Masters: the taste of Taiwan was produced by Volos Films Ltd. for Warner Bros. Discovery.
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