Member's Profile | Liu Cunchang: Preserving Tradition and Innovating in Culinary Arts, Staying True to the Mission and Actively Fulfilling Duties

Member's Card: Liu Cunchang, member of the Tiantai County Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), member of the China Democratic League, and head chef of Tiantai Hot Spring Resort.

Dough sculpting, commonly known as dough figurine molding, dough flowers, ritual buns, or decorative cakes, is one of China's traditional folk arts. Originally used for blessings and sacrifices in ancient times, it has gradually evolved into a traditional folk craft dedicated to appreciation today.

In Tiantai, there is a dough sculpting artist named Liu Cunchang. In recent years, he has accompanied dough sculpting as a craft, performing "magic" at his fingertips. With 27 years of dedication to the culinary industry, he has earned widespread recognition and praise for his commitment to preserving tradition while innovating and for his sincere and honest character.

The Arduous Journey Behind the Master

Liu Cunchang began learning culinary arts at a hotel at the age of 16. He worked in various roles, including kitchen assistant, food prep, cold dishes, pastry, steaming, and stove station. About two years later, he started exploring food carving, which marked the beginning of his "carving" journey.

Over the decades, Liu Cunchang, who has a foundation in calligraphy and painting, continuously honed his culinary skills and became particularly adept at food carving. While delving into dish development, he also researched, organized, refined, and innovated the Southern Song Dynasty "Sixteen-Dish Banquet," Tiantai County's highest-standard banquet (which was on the verge of being lost). For this achievement, he was honored with the titles "Famous Banquet of Taizhou" and "Chinese Characteristic Famous Banquet."

As a "Zhejiang Craftsman," "Municipal Model Worker," "Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor," and one of the first batch of featured tourism culinary masters under Zhejiang's "Hundred Counties, Thousand Bowls" initiative, he fully leverages his role in mentoring and guiding others. Leading his team, he introduced the "Tiantai Mountain Harmony Tang Poetry Banquet" and the "Buddhist and Taoist Vegetarian Banquet," innovating while preserving cultural heritage.

Inheritor of Intangible Cultural Heritage

The integration of cultural resource inheritance and a hotel's culinary services is achieved through sensory experiences. In his spare time, Liu Cunchang elevated Tiantai's intangible cultural heritage craft of "dough flower molding" to new heights, successfully applying for its inclusion in Zhejiang Province's specialized vocational capacity development projects. Leveraging his painting skills, he created historical figure scenes for "dough flowers" (such as themes like "Two Immortals of Harmony" and "Poetry Road Culture"). By cleverly incorporating these into banquet settings, he further explored the excellent resources and cultural connotations of Tiantai's traditional cuisine. This not only elevated the quality and cultural taste but also implemented the specific requirements of the provincial party committee and government to promote the "Poetic and Picturesque Zhejiang · Hundred Counties, Thousand Bowls" project, making it a new highlight in Taizhou's culinary industry.

Currently, Liu Cunchang is not only the head chef of Tiantai Hot Spring Resort but also an inheritor of two intangible cultural heritage projects in Tiantai County's culinary industry. In recent years, he has also been recognized as the inheritor of the municipal-level intangible cultural heritage project "Sixteen-Dish Banquet" in Taizhou and the county-level intangible cultural heritage project "Dough Flower Molding" in Tiantai.

A New Chapter in His Role as a CPPCC Member

"Food is the paramount necessity of the people, and food safety is of even greater importance." As a CPPCC member, Liu Cunchang has diligently fulfilled his duties in recent years, actively participating in political affairs, conducting grassroots research, and voicing the concerns of the people, serving as their "messenger." The proposal he spearheaded, "On the Safety of Market Ingredients," thoroughly reflected the current state and challenges of market ingredients and provided reasonable suggestions. After being addressed by relevant departments, it generated a positive impact.

Loyal to his original aspirations, he goes beyond mere action. As a CPPCC member, Liu Cunchang's work is ordinary, behind-the-scenes, and often unnamed. There are no thrilling feats or widely celebrated achievements, only silent dedication and diligent effort. "Being a CPPCC member is not just an honor but also a social responsibility. This role has given me a broader platform to speak for the people. I will always remember the responsibility on my shoulders, stay true to my original aspirations, and remain committed to fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of a CPPCC member," Liu Cunchang said.

Translator：Jiayang Lin