On the morning of May 10, the first Shanghai Bay Area Master Chef Challenge heated up at Shanyang Pastoral, with the aroma of delicious dishes filling the air as four teams of home cooks competed in a fiery culinary showdown.

The event showcased not only skilled cooking techniques but also heartwarming family collaboration. Contestant Zhang Chunmei brought her son-in-law and even her 80-year-old mother to participate.

"I prepared four dishes, my son-in-law handled the sizzling shredded eel, and my mom—despite her age—helped control the wood-fired stove’s heat. She has the experience to get it just right," Zhang shared, illustrating the intergenerational bond in Jinshan’s food culture.

Under the competition rules, each team had two hours to prepare five dishes: three creative selections and two mandatory traditional Jinshan specialties. To ensure fairness, judging combined evaluations from industry experts, public tasters, and online audiences.

"The standout dishes from this competition, both innovative and traditional, may become part of Jinshan’s culinary offerings, allowing more visitors to savor local flavors," said Wang Aijun, secretary-general of the Jinshan Culinary Association.