Contest dishes out China's talented chefs

Elegant, composed, and confident, eyes gleaming with focus and hands dancing between flames and appliances is not the image most people conjure up when they imagine a chef. But in Chef of China, a hit reality cooking show, this is exactly the portrait on display.

Gone are the tired stereotypes of burly cooks with sweat-stained collars. Replacing the stereotype are stylish, witty, and fiercely passionate chefs who are also humorous while competing with flair and creating cuisines with heart.

Airing now on Tencent Video, Chef of China unites a dazzlingly diverse cast of culinary talent. From rising young stars to seasoned veterans, from women breaking new ground to men redefining tradition, the show features chefs of all backgrounds — restaurant professionals and home cooks, masters of Chinese flavors and experts in Western techniques who work in China and abroad.

It's a rare gathering of skills, creativity, and personal stories that take center stage to reveal just how wide and dynamic the world of Chinese cuisine has become.

But this is no ordinary cooking competition. It's a culinary battleground. The show begins with 100 chefs — 16 master chefs and 84 challengers. In a dramatic first round, the competitors face a brutal elimination in which only 16 survive to take on the masters; a format that mirrors a Chinese chess match. And, just like chess, only one can win.

Chief director He Shu set a high bar for the "masters" — Michelin stars, Black Pearl accolades, spots on global top-restaurant lists, or legendary status in China's eight major traditional cuisines. Some are executive chefs from five-star hotels with decades of experience.

"What moved me most was their willingness to compete," He says. "They've already made it, but they came to inspire and boost the industry."

The challengers, or "small chefs", were selected from over 5,000 applicants — young talents, seasoned veterans, home cooks, and pros, among whom are a 23-year-old innovator and a 71-year-old spicy crab icon.

"Delicious food is the baseline," He says. "We also value creativity, vision, and potential.

"Our goal is for the audience to truly understand who Chinese chefs are," she adds. "To see their skills, feel their passion, and respect their worth."

From its beginning, Chef of China aimed to be more than just a competition. He and her team collaborated closely with chefs nationwide, seeking input on everything from stage design to ingredient sourcing and format. Their mission is to create a platform that feels both professional and respectful.

That respect became mutual. During filming, many chefs shared ideas and gave feedback, hoping to help the show grow. "It became a two-way journey," He says. "We weren't just documenting them; they were helping shape the show."

Cantonese master chef Chen Xiaodong was especially moved by the diversity — traditionalists, modernists, and chefs blending both styles, including those from ethnic backgrounds. "It's a blooming era for Chinese cuisine," he says. "The talent and energy we're seeing is thrilling."

Reflecting on these changes, Chen has witnessed in China how Cantonese cuisine has evolved over decades, from intricate carvings to molecular gastronomy. Today, he notes a return to simplicity and confidence; refined tableware, clean presentations, and flavor-forward dishes.

"We're at a turning point," he says. "The traditional eight cuisines are just the beginning. Chinese food and chefs deserve to be reintroduced to the world."