Adventures in a Chinese Kitchen Itinerary and registration information

When it comes to Chinese food I have always operated under the policy that the less known about the preparation the better. ... A wise diner who is invited to visit the kitchen replies by saying, as politely as possible, that he has a pressing engagement" - Calvin Trillin, Third Helpings (1983)

Yunnan Cooking

Trip Information

“Have you eaten yet?” In China, this is one of the most common and respectful greetings. It reflects the country’s long cultural connection with its diverse foods and preparation techniques. China’s culinary history is one of the most venerable in the world. Where better to eat, drink and explore than in the elegance of a Dynastic courtyard in one of the world’s oldest cultures.

“Adventures in a Chinese Kitchen” allow guests to boldly move beyond Calvin Trillin’s reticence and fear. It introduces the culinary traditions of Asia’s most diverse region- Yunnan Province. Yunnan is renowned for its rich ethnic cultures- over twenty-five tribal groups related to the Thais, Burmese, Tibetans, Hmong, Mongolians and Han Chinese. It is a melting pot of tastes and smells that shatters preconceived ideas that China is a large homogenous culture. The foods of the region enchant guests with spices reminiscent of India and Sichuan, fresh fish and vegetables similar to Vietnam and Hong Kong, and soups and hot pot echoing the historic connection between the region and the Mongolian Steppes.

Your program will be enhanced with the expertise of Janice Thomas, owner of the Savory Spoon Cooking School and the Linden Centre’s own chef, Yang Dong Bing. Janice Thomas established the well respected Savory Spoon Cooking School in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin in 2004, and is known for her personal approach to cooking and creating memories with every meal. Janice is a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals and Women Chefs of America. Janice has over 25 years of experience in the food industry and has taught cooking classes throughout the United States. Studies at the renowned Cordon Bleu in Paris and with well respected chefs in Provence and Mexico have enhanced her repertoire. She has lead culinary and cultural tours in Mexico, France and Italy with a strong emphasis on applied experiential travel.

Mr. Yang, formerly the head chef at the Kunming Hotel and teacher at the Yunnan’s culinary school, has spent over 30 years as a chef and will be sharing many of his secret dishes with us.

The Linden Centre will have English speaking guides in addition to Jeanee and Brian Linden, both bilingual in Mandarin Chinese. They will also help lead the tour and provide cultural material both written and orally to make sure you have a personal and educational experience. The Lindens have been living in China since 1984. Their twenty-plus years of contacts will ensure that all participants see and experience aspects of China unknown to other visitors. For most of their previous guests, the experiences throughout these regions of China have been among the most memorable in their lives. Come and enjoy an indigenous travel experience to one of the world's most storied cultures.

"What could be more fulfilling than creating wonderful gourmet recipes with a competent charming chef in a restored historical dwelling fit for royalty complete with antiquities. The Linden Centre and Savory Spoon, an unbeatable combination!" - Camilla Nielsen - Chairman, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas

Proposed Itinerary: November 3rd – November 14th, 2009

November 3: All guests are expected to arrive in Kunming by this day. We will meet in the lobby of our hotel- the 5 star Green Lake Hotel, at 5:00 p.m. The Green Lake Hotel is located in the most elegant section of Kunming (population: 6 million). We will stroll along the picturesque Green Lake and have an elegant meal in a renovated courtyard home next to the Hotel.

November 4: After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the Culinary Institute of Yunnan to meet with professors and students. We will spend the morning visiting the school and will have lunch at the Institute. In the afternoon, we will travel to a local business in Kunming where their specialty is in making preserved food. Every province has their own preserved foods; Kunming is famous for their sweet and sour vegetables and fruits. We will enjoy the quaint setting and sample our way through and learn how they make their treats on site. Dinner will feature the freshest local foods and dishes popular in Kunming and the region.

November 5: After breakfast, we will board our bus for a 4.5 hour drive through Yi tribal villages to arrive in the beautiful Dali Valley. After checking in at the Linden Centre, we will take a short walking tour of old Xizhou. A special welcome dinner will be prepared by the Centre’s two chefs.

Each day we will describe the types of foods brought to our table and we will give you recipes that you can take home and try yourselves. If any guests want to participate or observe the preparation and cooking of the food, we will organize the number of people in the kitchen according to your desires. Throughout our dinners, different local wine and teas will be offered. Yunnan is where tea originated and is also a nascent producer of wines. We all will have fun trying the different varieties with our meals.

November 6: American and Chinese breakfasts will be served daily in the Linden Centre’s main restaurant. All breakfasts will include Yunnan’s indigenous coffees and teas (Brian’s favorite!). A morning lecture/power point presentation will discuss the region’s growing season, the kinds of foods grown in the Dali valley (rice, beans, etc) and the history of Chinese food which will be followed by a visit to Xizhou’s morning market. Jeanee will lead you through the stalls and introduce the incredible array of produce and foods available for purchase. We will have lunch in a local Bai ethnic restaurant for an introduction to Bai traditional cooking. After lunch we will travel to a tea plantation nestled in the Cang Mountains to see where they grow their own teas and sample their latest tea crop.

Our dinner will be held in a traditional Bai style house dedicated to serving only healthy and tasty vegetarian food. Started by a Taiwanese man, the dishes and presentation is top notch. We will have a lecture on the benefits of tofu on your health before sitting down to dinner where you swear that the “beef” and “pork” is the real thing.

November 7: After an early breakfast, we will travel two hours south to the mysterious Wei Bao Buddhist and Taoist Mountain. Mt. Wei Bao is dotted with ancient working temples, old Tea and Horse Caravan stop- Weishan. This ancient village has one of the finest Drum Towers in China. The region is inhabited predominantly by the Hui (Muslim) people. We will enjoy a delicious lunch on Weishan’s old walking street before we receive a lesson in traditional Muslim cooking.

November 8: China is famous for its “little eats” and Xizhou has its share. This morning we will go to the “si fang jie” or the square and see how they make the famous “Xizhou Baba” or Xizhou Pizza. There are salty and sweet pizzas, which we will get to taste from various vendors. There are also cold noodle salads and rice noodles to watch them make and sample. We will walk and/or take horse carts to the shore of Lake Erhai and head out on the lake with local fishermen and their cormorants. We will watch the cormorants, all who have their necks slightly tied, as they dive for fish and return to place them on the boats. After the boat ride we will walk to the lake’s “tongue” and then rest at a picturesque (yet abandoned) picnic ground where we will have snacks and wine. Dinner will be at the Centre. During today’s activities, we will take time to make a local specialty, rose petal jam, which you will get to take home in a jar as a special gift.

November 9: Today we will visit the largest regional market- Shaping. Before we do, we will stop at a nearby village to watch the making of ‘ru shan,’ a versatile goat cheese that is made in thin sheets. It is eaten deep fried and garnished with sugar or diced and placed into tonight’s three course tea ceremony. We will tour the market with local Bai women who will introduce the large variety of foods and spices. Lunch will consist of dozens of different vegetables, including a wide variety of mushrooms. We all will have a chance to visit the restaurant’s large kitchen and choose any items that look tempting.

We will return to Xizhou in time to drop in on a local elementary school to meet the young students. We will even have a chance to teach them English during a short 30 minute class. The traditional three course tea ceremony with local dancing and singing will take place after dinner at the Centre.

November 10: After an early breakfast, we will travel three hours north to the World Heritage Site- Lijiang. This charming old city is nestled in the shadows of the 18,000 foot high Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. We will have lunch en route in an old Bai village renowned for its silver work. After checking into our Lijiang hotel we will walk the old village and have a wonderful dinner alongside a rushing pristine stream.

November 11: After breakfast at the hotel, we will spend the morning at a local family’s home preparing a typical Naxi ethnic meal. In the afternoon you will have a chance to wander through Lijiang’s numerous lanes filled with boutique shops and galleries and elegant cafes.

November 12: Today we drive back to Xizhou after breakfast; we will arrive back at the Centre in time for lunch. In the afternoon, Chef Yang and Chef Thomas will take us through the making of tonight’s dinner. We will also make a special rose petal jam that is used in many sweet desserts and breads. This will be your gift to take home.

November 13: After breakfast we will drive 10 miles south to the ancient walled city of Dali. Dali was the capital of the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms which dated from roughly 700-1300 A.D. Marco Polo was sent to Dali by the Mongol ruler, Kublai Khan, to help negotiate a peace treaty between the Yuan Dynasty and the local Bai rulers. Dali has wonderful boutique shops, cafes, restaurants and traditional craftsmen. We will take a walk down a street and browse in the shops that specialize in the selling of cooking equipment such as kitchen cleavers, woks and pans. You may want to do some last minute shopping for tea, dried goods or souvenirs. We will accompany anyone who wishes to look for something special. For lunch, we will take you to some of the local “expat” hangouts for Chinese or Western (you may need it now) food.

November 14: On this day, our program ends. After breakfast, all artists and guests will be driven to the Dali airport in time for your connecting flight through Kunming to your origin or next destination. Extended stays can certainly be arranged at the Centre, or we would be happy to help plan a further visit throughout China.

Details:

November 3-14, 2009 12 Days $4900 Fare includes international flight from LAX to Dali and all domestic travel, all accommodations, most meals, medical travel insurance, and all activities and cultural services. Optional or extra-itinerary activities will be offered at basic costs to those who choose to participate. The Centre hosts 14 double occupancy rooms.

Maximum Group Size: 20

While the Linden Centre can comfortably accommodate 30 people, this group is limited to 20 to ensure that all guests can receive personal attention from the Centre's teachers and the Lindens. Many workshops will be hands-on, thus the lower number of guests will ensure ample participation.

To ensure that all can stay within the Centre, we highly encourage double occupancy with a loved one, friend, or colleague, but can assist in finding you an appropriate roommate. While single supplements are possible, space is limited due to lack of availability within the Centre. All rooms are non-smoking.

Summary:

What — 12 day cultural excursion and culinary tour in Yunnan, China.

When — November 3rd- November 14th, 2009

Who — Anyone who wishes to experience the romanticism and spirituality of the true China. The traveler who hopes to experience many different facets, customs and culture of Yunnan. People who are interested by exotic dining and worldly cuisine, and wish to learn about Chinese food and drink.

Cost — $4900 Includes all domestic travel after arrival in Kunming, all accommodations, most meals unless specified, and all activities and cultural services. Round-trip, international airfare to Kunming from LAX is included. The Centre hosts 14 double occupancy rooms. Single supplement is an extra $500. Price excluding international airfare is $1,200 less the total program price. Medical travel insurance is provided in the price via AIG TravelGuard.

Additional costs — Guests are also responsible for their own Chinese visa, costs related to alcohol, beverages not included in regular meals, laundry, personal items, souvenirs, and long distance telephone calls. Airfare to and from Los Angeles is not included. Trip interruption and cancellation insurance. For this insurance, refer to tour contract.

Reservations — Call 920-388-4391 or email info@barnsitegallery.com. Non-refundable $500 deposit. Pay your deposit online here.

An extensive orientation package with suggested readings will be provided to all participants. The Lindens have been living in China since 1984. Their twenty-plus years of contacts will ensure that all participants see and experience aspects of China unknown to other visitors. For most of their previous guests, the experiences throughout these regions of China have been among the most memorable in their lives. Please come and enjoy an indigenous travel experience to one of the world's most storied cultures.

The Lindens have been living in China since 1984. Their twenty-plus years of contacts will ensure that all participants see and experience aspects of China unknown to other visitors. For most of their previous guests, the experiences throughout these regions of China have been among the most memorable in their lives. Please come and enjoy an indigenous travel experience to one of the world's most storied cultures.

How to reserve space for the tour:

Call 920-388-4391 or email info@barnsitegallery.com for more details on how to reserve space while there are still spots available.

Download your registration packet.

Pay your deposit online.