In China, the habit of having breakfast dates back to Han Dynasty 2000 odd years ago. Since then, the majority of Chinese people have had three meals a day, which is beneficial to living and production. Although having three meals a day, has almost become a common diet pattern worldwide. In China, however, the pattern embodies various life experiences in different paces of life.

Footsteps

Li Lihong

Heart’s message

Seasons

Most of great food is fissile spectacle resulting from combination and crash of different ingredients. If compare it with human relationship, some would be regarded as amazing perfect match. Some meet by chance but touched us deeply. Some can only make us regret not letting them meet sooner. Human activities lead to the gathering of food. The separation and reunion of food, on the other hand, also controls people. What Westerners called "destiny", is called "Yuan fen" by Chinese.

In the old city of Beijing, within a short distance, you can have a taste of authentic Turkish food, genuine Spanish seafood paella, or prime French cuisine. People come across food from around the globe, and their taste has assimilated with that of the whole world. However, there always exists food that has not been discovered, hiding in the hills and valleys, rivers and seas, deserts and grasslands in China. These are the realms of secrets that we want to explore.

There are a thousand pairs of hands with a thousand flavors. Chinese cuisine is mystic and hard to duplicate. From the countryside to the downtown area, cuisine is still inherited via teaching face to face. The wisdom from ancestors, the secret from family, the tips from mentorship, the understanding from gourmet. Every moment of gourmet is created attentively generation by generation.

Realm of Secrets

Home where life begins is also one’s ultimate safe harbor. Under the same roof they cook together, eat together. They use food to unite and consulate family members. Though pots and pans are everydayness, they are symbols of Chinese living style and more of a reflection of the Chinese ethics. People grow up, in love, be apart, reunite. In some sense, enjoy home cooking is also an experience of various tastes of life.

Daily domestics

China, a country with varieties of geographical environment and climates. People work from day to night .As spring planting ,autumn harvesting, summer cultivating and winter storing. There is a tight schedule exist in the cycle of season and has maintained over thousand years. Compare to the agrarian age people have gradually estranged from the nature. Nevertheless, by following the footsteps of their ancestors and cooking their own foods have become the unique cooking way of Chinese. This is the story of time and is the secret of how Chinese get along with nature.

Encounters

Life always pushes us to strive forward regardless of our willingness. Prepared to depart, people begin to trudge. Where they settle, there is cooking fire. From the migration of individuals to the transportation of food ingredients, from the evolution of cooking methods to the alternation of human destiny, the footsteps of human and food never cease.

Three Meals

Episode 8

This series explores the history, traditions and culture of Chinese food. Filmed at over 160 locations across China, this series truly is a feast for the senses. The seven-episode documentary series introduces the history and story behind foods of various kinds in more than 160 locations in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The documentary has also been actively encouraged as a means of introducing Chinese food culture to those unfamiliar with local cuisine.

Footsteps

Seasons4

Season 2 Episodes8

Cast1

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Episode Summary