Paul Levy

Nothing rivals a traditional Chinese banquet for opulence

Imperial feasts in the 18th century would last several days – and it was considered the height of bad manners not to gorge on the variety of meat and fish on offer

A banquet given by the Qianlong emperor at the Chengde Mountain Resort in 1754. [Getty Images]
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  • China in Seven Banquets: A Flavourful History

    Thomas David DuBois

    Reaktion, pp. 296, £18

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