OVER 300 PROFESSIONAL COOKS AND COOKING SCHOOL apprentices in Yangzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, earned themselves a place in the Guinness World Records, when they simultaneously cooked at least four tons of Yangzhou Fried Rice, a time-honored local food. However, a considerable portion of rice was later deemed inedible and was reportedly fed to pigs, with the rest being offered to some schools and enterprises as planned. Comments:

For the Yangzhou officials concerned, the record-setting rice frying involving some 300 cooks was a sensational success and even a major political achievement, because it may make the city known by more. But the big waste of food deserves no applause at all, and astonished the public more than the four tons of fried rice did. The costly "world record" is unlikely to promote the cuisine's image.

Beijing News, Oct 25