Mum and son nominated for Golden Chopsticks award

Almost 150 years since the first Chinese food stalls appeared in the UK, the Golden Chopsticks awards in London have recognized the best of South and South East Asian Cuisine in the UK.

Five generations ago Chin Taylor's family branched out from pig farming in China, and started selling cooked pork as well. More than 150 years and several countries later, Chin and his mum Choo run one of the best Asian street food restaurants in the UK. 

What's certain is that when it comes to street food, Chin and Choo certainly know their onions. They've been nominated for Golden Chopsticks and many more awards thanks to their restaurant Ziangs 35a, nestled in the small coastal town of Minehead, in south west England.

Things have changed a lot since Choo first made her home in the UK in the 1980s, as she told CGTN. 

"When I first came to England, the British food was... literally to me... not very edible," she declared. "Sorry to say that, but now they have a wider range and selection of cuisine. Maybe because a lot of people have moved into the UK and brought their food into the country."

High quality Asian food is becoming easier to find in the UK and in recent years there's been an explosion of restaurants from across the continent, with more emphasis put on authentic tastes and dishes.

The internet is helping drive that, as people seek out new culinary experiences without needing to travel. 

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As well as their full-time restaurant job, Chin and Choo Taylor have almost one and a half million followers across social media. They receive many messages from people who say their videos have inspired them to try new flavors and cooking styles.

As Chin told CGTN, he's a big believer in the power of food to help drive cultural understanding.

He said: "Beforehand it was slightly westernized, and now you have way more traditional food coming through which I think is very important. I think a lot of education to (about) a culture starts with food. Languages are different and communication and social etiquette is different… but taste is taste."

He continued: "You don't have to speak a certain language, or grow up next to someone to get their social cues and stuff like that. Food you put it down, put it in your mouth and you either enjoy it or you don't enjoy it, and that starts bridging cultural gaps."

With an estimated 11,000 Chinese restaurants across the UK and many more from other parts of Asia. The popularity of this once unfamiliar cuisine looks set to keep growing and growing.

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