The first demonstrator - Zhang Gui Sheng
Zhang Guisheng is a Shanghai culinary master and has developed quite an extraordinary resume. Not only has he represented China internationally, became recognized as a skilled food sculptor, he has also contributed to the professional development of several well known chefs whom he has taken under his wings. Since his first stint at Shang Hai Ying Hua Hotel working as an executive manager and food sculptor in 1995, he has been consistently recognized as a person of skill and knowledge.Throughout the following years, Zhang has been invited to lead other restaurants, hotels within the hospitality industry, and teams of Chinese Chefs to success. Zhang has won several notable awards within China and then moved on to challenge international competitions. In 1999, he represented Chinese Chef’s Association in the 10th annual international Chinese Culinary Competition held in Taiwan and brought home one of the many gold medals he will later collect. Later, in 2005, he was awarded the title of Chinese Culinary Master by the Business Department and the Chefs’ Association of China and was even listed as a celebrity Chef. His fame spread throughout China and his name adopted several titles. For one, he was General Manager of the State Tourism Commission of Licenses for Employment, he became a referee and examiner and assessed those who challenged the exam to become a Chef, he was on the committee of China's Culinary Association and sat on the board of the Shanghai Culinary Association as Vice President. Besides setting the standard for Chinese cuisine, he became heavily involved with the education of chefs and took the role of Shanghai Culinary School Principal. Today, he continues to weave his legacy by as the Vice President of Hotel Management Co., Ltd. in Shanghai Hao Cheng and as the Vice President of Yi Qin Shanghai Vocational and technical training Art School.
The second demonstrator - Li Xiao Jun
Li Xiao Jun has entered the Shanghai culinary industry 11 years ago and has already made a mark within the Chinese culinary world by having a wonderfully skilled pair of hands with which he uses to create food sculptors and ice carvings.Food sculptures, carved out of fruit and vegetables, are masterpieces designed to complement the featured dishes. They are an important part of the Chinese culture and culinary history and Li Xiao Jun has become a part of that rich history. Within a span of eight years, he was awarded the title of "Shanghai's Outstanding Young Technician" for his exceptional skill in ice and food carving in 2008 and it was not without reason. He has won several awards in food carving within the first few years of his debut and later glorified Shanghai, China with his accomplishments in ice carving. As a matter of fact, his skill in ice carving was first recognized by the guests who stayed at the Dongjia State Guest Hotel of where he worked as an ice carver in 2007. Li Xiao Jun continued to train and research the skill of food and ice carving although he already exemplary. Li won his first medal in food carving in 2001 and continued with his winning streak by winning a bronze medal in the 5th national culinary competition in the category of individual food sculpting, a gold medal in food and vegetable carving while competing in the Iron Chef competition and won awards for an outstanding food and vegetable sculpting at the International Exhibition for food, drink, hospitality, food services (FCH) in Shanghai for several years. Later on, when he discovered a passion for ice carving, he continued to win awards consecutively for three years and recognized internationally within the United States and Tokyo. As anticipated, the most prestigious award was presented to him and he deemed it to be the most significant award he has received. It was the top award which was presented to the most skilled ice sculptor- the first award a Chinese ice carver has ever won internationally at the 35th annual national Japanese ice carving competition held in Tokyo, Japan in March of 2011. In the eyes of spectators, he has become a celebrity. Through out the recent years, he has been asked to demonstrate live at events hosted by East Lake Group. He turned blocks of ice into lively eagle wings, a tang lion, a harp, and a shiratori. Within the past year, he has also been training under the world`s most skilled ice carver, Mitsuo Shimzu. In the future, we can expect greater accomplishments and wonderful creations from Li Xiao Jun when he performs in Canada at CCFCC 2011.
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