The ceremony was officially kicked off by the signing of the MoU by Yu Ping, Vice President of Yantai Vocational College, Dr Sacha Stöcklin, founder and Managing Director of CieCAS, and Susan Wang, Marketing Manager of China Foods Alliance / mybow gmbh.
The signing ceremony took place in the presence of numerous guests from education, politics and business. These included Jing Xiaoling (President of YVCCT), Zhang Li (Deputy Director of the Yantai Education Office), Zuo Yalin (Vice President of the Friendship Association of the Yantai Foreign Affairs Office) and representatives of the Swiss delegation led by René Bachmann, founder of the China Foods Alliance, the Centre of Innovation & Entrepreneurial Art Shanghai (CieCAS) and many of the college's students and teaching staff.
In her speech, the President of the YVCCT, Ms Jing Xiaoling, emphasised the importance of this agreement for the international exchange of knowledge in culinary vocational training.
The Memorandum of Understanding, which is valid for a period of five years, was designed as a strategic framework for cooperation and exchange. It is not legally binding, but expresses the partners' shared desire to more closely interlink education, culture and innovation in the hospitality industry.
The agreement covers a large number of areas of cooperation:
◆ Foundation of the „Sino-Swiss Culinary Cultural Exchange Base“ as a platform for exchange and joint projects
◆ Development of international teaching and learning resources on Chinese cuisine and cookery
◆ Short-term programmes and exchange initiatives for teachers and students
◆ Joint research and development projects to promote culinary innovation
◆ Organisation of workshops, seminars and competitions on Chinese and Western cuisine
◆ Development of joint curricula and educational standards for the catering industry
◆ Promoting sustainability and quality in vocational education and training
The MoU came into force upon signing and will be valid for at least five years. An extension or expansion of the cooperation has already been promised.
The signing ceremony was followed by another highlight: the unveiling of the golden plaque. In future, this will mark the official location of the "Sino-Swiss Culinary Cultural Exchange Base" on the college grounds.
The unveiling was jointly performed by Lyu Shiqiang (Party Secretary of Yantai Vocational College), Zhang Li (Deputy Director of Yantai Education Bureau), Zuo Yalin (Vice President of Yantai Friendship Association) and René Bachmann (China Foods Alliance / mybow gmbh).
This symbolic gesture of the golden plaque symbolised the new partnership. In the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect between the partners.
The day ended with a festive Sino-Swiss fusion dinner in the college's grand ballroom.
The Swiss delegation prepared traditional dishes such as plaited bread, rösti, beef sirloin, risotto and minestrone. The Chinese hosts presented authentic Lu dishes - a culinary encounter between two worlds that took place in a pleasant and friendly atmosphere.
The evening was accompanied by performances by the students, including lion dances, traditional dances, music and kung fu performances - an unforgettable cultural highlight that honoured the new friendship.
The signing of the MoU and the unveiling of the golden plaque sent out a clear signal:
China and Switzerland want to work more closely together in future - in the areas of vocational training, catering, sustainability and culture. The newly created Sino-Swiss Culinary Cultural Exchange Base forms the centrepiece of this partnership - a place where knowledge is shared, people network and cultures are connected through cuisine.
