Chef Tony Wang of Holiday Inn demonstrates how he prepares lotus roots with shrimp paste.

With the long hot summer ahead, it's time to hunt down some fresh flavors for palates depressed by the heat. Donna Mah says fresh is best, especially if it's from Scandinavia.

Italian chef Igor Macchia will offer a three-course set lunch priced at 188 yuan ($29) per person from June 24-31 at Aria, China World Hotel's modern European restaurant.

Chinese imperial food dates back to slave society. Ever since there were emperors and palaces, there has been imperial food, which was served mainly to the emperors, their wives and concubines, and the royal families. Emperors used their power to collect the best delicacies and called upon the best cooks to make delicious food for them.

Refreshments and snacks from all over China and the world are available in Shanghai. Local snacks in Shanghai have their specialties and should not be missed.

Dynasty is known as one of Shanghai's top Cantonese restaurants with centuries-old history. It boasts the some high level chefs who often serve the visiting heads of stated at special banquets.

Food is a very funny thing; few items in the world consist of such a wide array of ingredients or cause such a wide array of reactions.

The Chinese are widespread throughout the world, and where there are people, there's food. Pauline D Loh looks at how they eat Chinese in Adelaide, currently host of the country's most prestigious food festival

Feeling anxious because your friends are expected in half an hour and you still have to prepare the dinner?