Chinese president Xi Jinping gave a banquet in Nanjing on August 16 in honor of the distinguished foreign guests attending the Opening Ceremony of the 2nd Summer Youth Olympic Games. At the banquet, the host took a full consideration of the dietary habits of the guests, serving not only well-assorted main courses, but also prepared exquisite cold dishes and desserts, etc. Changyu dry red wine and dry white wine were selected out of  China’s many fine wines to be served to distinguished foreign guests from afar, which vividly portrayed the hospitality of the Chinese people just as the old Chinese saying goes, “The best wines are reserved and served for the bosom friends.” Many people believe that the appearance of China’s own brand on such important diplomatic occasions as welcome banquet shows China’s determination on its opening-up efforts and confidence in products “Made in China.”

For some time, Changyu wine has been served at state banquets of many important occasions, such as banquets in honor of visiting U.S. President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Camerom, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and foreign dignitaries present at Shanghai World Expo, to name just a few. China’s domestic wine brand has continued to shine at the welcome banquet on August 16, and added to the gourmet food of Summer Youth Olympics.

In fact, to satisfy the taste buds of guests from all over the world, Nanjing City in east China’s Jiangsu Province, the host city of the event, has created a strong atmosphere of “delicious food go ahead of the Summer Youth Olympics.”

Centered around the theme of “A Bite of Youth Olympics,” many activities have been organized spontaneously. Soldiers from Rugao Frontier Inspection Station of Jiangsu Province carved the mascots of the Summer Youth Olympics from food materials like water melon and carrot, which was widely reported by the media. Students from a university in Nanjing formed a “Jinling Snacks Team” to trace Jinling snacks along the old city wall built in the Ming Dynasty. They came up with a bilingual version of Snacks along the Ming City Wall. The netizens also made their contribution and summed up series of Nanjing gourmet guides like “Top Seven Gourmet Streets,” “Top Ten Classic Snacks,” and “Snack Guide.” Furthermore, a website launched top ten local delicacies, including Duck Blood Curd and Vermicelli Soup, Deep-fried Bean Curd in Soup, Baozi Stuffed with Meat, Guotie Stuffed with Beef, whose inviting pictures made a foodie’s mouth water.

Full preparation for “A Bite of Summer Youth Olympics”has been made by the organizing committee. According to the media, Athletes’Dining Hall in the Youth Olympic Village has five dining areas and one central kitchen area, which can accommodates 2,800 people to eat at the same time. During the games, four types of cuisines will be served- Asian, Mediterranean, European and Chinese food. Besides, at IOC’s request an additional 99 varieties of food are offered, including unseasoned barbecue, vegetable in soup, pasta and rice, etc., which will meet the special requirements of Muslims, vegetarians and gluten-free diners. In total there will be 599 kinds of food available during the games.

On the menu of dining hall in Youth Olympic Village, we can see a lot of food with Chinese features, such as Stewed Pork Ball in Brown Sauce，Yangzhou Stir-fried Rice, and Xihu Beef Soup. Nanjing local delicacies will also be presented, such as Salted Duck, Yuhuashi Rice Dumpling, and stewed taro with Osmanthus and sugar.

“A Bite of Summer Youth Olympics”has became very popular among the athletes. “Nutritious Cuisine,” a cooking program, was just unveiled on the square of Youth Olympic Village. Foreign athletes took off their sports wears and put on chef uniforms and caps to learn how to cook Chinese food from the chef on site. Kay Rose, a foreign athlete, told the media that the Chinese food on the television program of A Bite of China has always attracted her and her friends,N and eating delicious food and experiencing Chinese culinary culture are also her personal mission during the Youth Olympic Games.