On the afternoon of Tuesday 31st May 2016, Taipei Representative Office and the DIT School of Culinary Arts & Food Technology was co-host to Professor Yi-Chun Lee, one of Taiwan’s foremost chefs, in the Kathleen O’Sullivan Theatre of DIT. Accompanied by her special assistant Mr Kuo-Chih Wen, Professor Lee offered a demonstration of contemporary Taiwanese cuisine and fruit carving to an assembled crowd of 120 distinguished guests, chefs, culinary students, journalists and members of the Taiwanese community. Professor Yi-Chun Lee holds the Chair of Chinese Culinary Arts at the prestigious National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism. She is well-known in Taiwan, both as a chef and as a judge in national culinary competitions.
In his opening speech, His Excellency Representative Simon Tu thanked Dr. Frank Cullen, Head of the DIT School of Culinary Arts & Food Technology, for kindly offering to host this special event, as well as his staff and colleagues for their generous efforts and cooperation. The mission of the Taipei Representative Office in Ireland is to foster friendship between our two countries. We promote economic, regulatory, and consular cooperation. But cultural exchanges have a very special importance as they encourage a deeper mutual understanding and enrichment. In particular, Taiwan is growing in repute as an Asian and global centre of the arts and culture, notably combining respect for tradition with an openness to modern and international influences. This distinctive style is seen in many areas of creative endeavour, but perhaps the most popular is Taiwanese cuisine and fruit carving. As Representative Tu noted in his remarks, Taiwanese cuisine aims at a full aesthetic experience, focusing on presentation and aroma as well as taste.
The following morning, Professor Lee offered a more intimate and casual lecture and demonstration to the overseas Taiwanese community in Dublin. The Taipei Representative Office would like to thank her for sharing her expertise in Ireland and looks forward to hosting similar events in future.
Representative Tu welcomes guests to the culinary event.
A total of 120 guests from all walks of life attended the event.
Professor Lee presents her lecture with her assistant Mr. Wen.
A warm round of applause followed Professor Lee’s presentation.
Left to right: Taiwan Ireland Association President Frank Lu, Mr. Mike O’Connor, Representative & Mrs. Tu, Deputy Representative James Buu, Dublin Chinese School Principal Evan Furlong, Dr. Frank Cullen
Former TD Tom and Rita Enright with Representative Tu and Mrs. Tu
Left to right: John Brady, Yvonne Kennedy(Chair of International Women’s Club of Ireland), Representative Tu, Brian Murphy
Representative Tu and Professor Lee with members of the DIT Culinary School
Representative Tu welcoming guests to the Culinary lecture on 1st June 2016
Representative Tu and Professor Lee with members and friends of the Taiwanese community