The 2016 Jiangsu Province Rural Food Competition opens in the famous cultural city Yixing on Oct 20. [Photo from WeChat account kslydjq]

Braised eels with soy sauce, steamed hairy crabs, braised fish heads in a clay pot—these attractive and tasty dishes were just the tip of the culinary iceberg at the Jiangsu Province Rural Food Competition.

Chefs from across the province gathered in Yixing on Oct 20 for the competition, cooking up a total of 160 mouthwatering dishes from different rural areas of Jiangsu for the judges.

Based on the principles of creativity, freshness, flavor, fragrance and presentation, 50 dishes won the heart of the foodies, among which 20 were awarded gold medals, and 30 silver medals.

50 dishes are awarded gold and silver medals respectively. [Photo from WeChat account kslydjq]

One of the silver medal winners, a team of chefs from Kunshan city, won huge praise for their masterpiece—an herbal chicken soup made entirely from local ingredients in Sanjiacun waterscape peach orchard and stewed in a clay pot.

Chefs from Xingqijiu ecological farm also showed off their culinary skill at the competition. By using the local specialty freshwater grouper and flavoring it with caviar and chicken soup, the dish was deliciously tender with a gorgeous aftertaste.

If you would like to try the two dishes, you can visit Sanjiacun waterscape peach orchard at 1 Sanjia Road, Sanjia village, Zhangpu town, and make a reservation by calling 0512-3686-1117. Xingqijiu ecological farm is at 2401 West Yingbin Road, Bacheng town, and bookings can be made by calling 0512-5785-0116.

The freshwater grouper cooked with caviar and chicken soup presents a tender taste and brings the foodies endless aftertastes. [Photo from WeChat account kslydjq]