Lawmaker proposes opportunities for aspiring noodle chefs

A national lawmaker says Chinese high school graduates should be given more opportunities in gastronomy in their vocational education.

A chef makes Lanzhou lamian at a restaurant. [File Photo: IC]

Ma Limin, a deputy to the 13th National People's Congress and head of a Lanzhou beef noodles association, was interviewed by Legal Evening News on Monday. He proposed incorporating gastronomy in the vocational education system, so that more people can learn to make authentic hand-pulled beef noodles, or lamian in Chinese.

"Once admitted, students will not only learn the basic theoretical knowledge of cooking the noodles but also take courses covering hotel management, restaurant services and the English language. Graduates can earn college degrees and will be assigned to famous restaurants and hotels nationwide," said Ma.

A bowl of Lanzhou beef noodle, or lamian [File Photo: IC]

With a long history of over 100 years dating back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Lanzhou lamian has won over domestic and international customers with its unique taste and pleasant color.

Ma Limin said that authorities in Lanzhou are planning to have the culinary tradition listed as an item of national intangible cultural heritage.