March 7, 2024"Cooking knows no borders, and food travels thousands of miles. "In 2024, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil, with the support of institutions such as the State of Rio de Janeiro and the City of the Dukes of CasÃas, the China Urban Gastronomy Expo will be held in 45 cities in the state of Rio de Janeiro. After layers of selection, Chef Ma Tujia of Nansha Garden Hotel Dim Sum will represent Nansha in the near future to carry out a three-month food cultural exchange in Rio de Janeiro.
Chef Ma Tujia, the dim sum chef of Nansha Garden Hotel, makes Cantonese dim sum, photographed by Liu Chao (4-2).
Chef Ma Tujia, the dim sum chef of Nansha Garden Hotel, makes Cantonese dim sum, photographed by Liu Chao (4-3).
Use Nansha native products to deepen the field of Cantonese dim sum
Cantonese dim sum such as black gold quicksand buns, Cantonese barbecued pork buns, spiced beef cakes, dace and white siu mai, steamed pork ribs, etc., Ma Tujia, who has been engaged in the innovative production of Cantonese dim sum for more than 30 years, introduced it to reporters like a few treasures. He said that he is good at using Nansha local specialties - small tiger shrimp, dragon banana, a little sweet potato, Xinken lotus root and other ingredients to create, such as Nansha small tiger hemp shrimp shrimp dumplings, banana cake, cheese sweet potato balls, lotus root crisp and other Cantonese dim sum. As the saying goes, "one side of the water and soil raises one person", to make Cantonese cuisine popular in various cities, Ma Tujia said: "We must adapt it according to local characteristics." At the same time, he also hopes that through food exchanges, he can bring Brazil's food culture back to Nansha for "improvement and processing" and innovate food works in Nansha.
As the inheritor of Cantonese dim sum, Ma Tujia has also actively participated in many culinary cultural activities. For example, he participated in the Shanghai World Expo Changning District Expo Cantonese Dim Sum Competition, and won the third prize of the individual and the third prize of the team; In 2020, he participated in the Guangzhou Youth Cultural Officer "Chef Cuisine" Exchange Meeting; In 2023, he was awarded the Guangzhou "Cantonese Cuisine Master" certificate** certification. "I hope to have more cooperation and exchanges with Brazil in the culinary field, especially as a chef in Nansha, I hope to take this opportunity to travel all over Brazil and help Cantonese culture go global." Matuja said.
30 years of research and always insist on doing one thing well
The biggest feeling of the craftsman spirit is to be a good person first, and then do things. Do a line of love, have requirements for yourself, and pass your own level first. When it comes to dim sum making, Ma Tujia recounted her experience of making glutinous rice chicken by herself. From making the filling, wrapping the glutinous rice chicken to steaming, the whole process is done by himself, and the moment the glutinous rice chicken comes out, he is both excited and nervous. The glutinous rice chicken pays attention to the appropriate proportion of fillings, and the finished glutinous rice chicken must be improved after the manager and catering supervisor make suggestions until they nod their heads in approval.
Nowadays, in Ma Tujia's view, the key to Cantonese dim sum production is to learn more, think more and try more, and study each ingredient thoroughly, so as to match it in a timely and innovative way. "When you can't find a certain raw material, which ingredient to replace, you need to be well-informed and look for alternatives with the same nature. It seems simple, but it actually takes a long time to accumulate knowledge. Matuja said.
Speaking about his connection with cooking, Matuca said: "You can play and eat at the same time, that's the fun of being a chef. At this moment, Matuca smiled from the heart.
Beyond the "kitchen", Nansha continues to expand its international circle of friends
In June 2022, the "Overall Plan for Deepening Comprehensive Cooperation between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in Nansha, Guangzhou" was issued, giving Nansha a new positioning and new mission as a major strategic platform "based in the Bay Area, cooperating with Hong Kong and Macao, and facing the world".
At present, Nansha District has established friendly cooperation and exchange relations with five cities (districts) around the world, namely Nanbu District, Gwangju Metropolitan City, South Korea, Khazar District, Baku City, Azerbaijan, Soviet District, Minsk City, Belarus, Duke Kashias City, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, and Sanamxai County, Attapeu Province, Laos, covering Asia, South America and Europe. On August 1, 2022, Nansha signed a memorandum of understanding on strengthening friendly exchanges and cooperation with the city of Duke of Caschias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the two sides hope to strengthen cooperation in economy and trade, education, smart city, free trade port, and cultural tourism. In 2023, representatives of the city of Duke Cashias visited Nansha.
This year, Nansha District will continue to consolidate friendly relations with various cities (districts), focus on Southeast Asia, Europe and other regions, and continue to expand the international "circle of friends".
Liu Liqing Correspondent: Liu Chao).