"Chopsticks & Beyond", a brand cooking activity of China Radio International's English Service, is held in Beijing on Jan 23, 2016. Chefs from Thailand, India and China showed the audience how to make spicy Thai, Indian and Sichuan dishes. [Photo/cri.cn]

On Jan 23, EZFM (FM91.5 in Beijing), the domestic radio channel of China Radio International's English Service, held an exciting and fun cooking contest named "Chopsticks & Beyond". The contest challenged the taste buds of spectators, providing an opportunity to discover the fabulous flavors of various spicy ingredients at the InterContinental Hotel Beijing Financial Street.

Since the theme of this first contest of 2016 is "Hot and Spicy", chefs from Thailand, India and China have taught the audience how to make spicy Thai, Indian and Sichuan dishes. According to them, the unique taste of the spicy Thai cuisine comes from fresh chili and the sour flavor of lemon; Sichuan dishes are well-known by the dry and oily chili; while Indian's spiciness is from all kinds of powders of curry, chili and masala.

Four female hosts from EZFM, including the popular sister-like co-hosts Zhong Qiu and Lucy from afternoon show "Lady Lady", as well as Nian Xi from "Music Memories" and Sookie from "the Shuffle" were on hand to help guests and listeners get creative, and make their own spicy creations.