People in Beijing can see how some typical local foods are prepared and purchase well-known brand-name products at a food show that starts this coming weekend.

The 9th Catering, Food & Beverage Expo will be held from May 17-20 at the Beijing Exhibition Center. One can see shaomai, a kind of dim sum, being made by staff from Duyichu Restaurant, hot pot lamb preparation by Donglaishun staff, and tea processing by Wuyutai, Lao She and Zhang Yiyuan teahouses.

All these businesses have histories of more than 100 years. Food carving experts will also sculpt vegetables, fruits and sugar. At the same time, as the expo is being held near the Dragon Boat Festival, there will be rice dumpling making in which visitors can participate.

According to Jiang Junxian, director of the Beijing Cuisine Association, exhibitors at the expo come from the entire food making chain. There are not only restaurants, but also food processing enterprises and agricultural companies. More than 300 companies will display their products.

That includes more than 100 companies in Beijing, who will exhibit 170 old Beijing brand-name food products they produce. On the first day of the expo, representatives from more than 100 food companies will sign a food safety treaty as a promise to consumers. The No 4 hall will show foods from Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, the Beijing Western Cuisine Association will prepare a 45-meter long Europe style train, with typical food and wines from 20 countries. These will include macaroons from France, caviar, German beer, durian from Thailand, mangosteen, Russian foie gras, Canada’s ice wine and Korea’s kimchi.

If you go May 17-20 Beijing Exhibition Center 135 Xizhimenwai Dajie, Xicheng district, Beijing