Since the “Regional Youth Hub” hosted by Youth Development Administration, MoE in May, more than 30 classes in local areas around Taiwan have been held, with many youths actively participating in the activity. In July, there will be 43 diverse revitalization classes in which the youths can gain more knowledge in their hometown during summer vacation.
Taiwanese delicacies are well-known to the world, and a trip “Walks of Foods and Cultures” is recommended at least once in your lifetime. One of the classes of “Regional Youth Hub” in July is to taste the local and authentic delicacies, as well as to further understand the historical and cultural background behind every kind of food. In the activity, Guli Rice Cooperative will bring the students to explore the Puli Market and experience buying the ingredients, making dishes, and bartending in a two-day trip, where they can intuitively feel the local features and roots. On the other hand, Day Day Tian Studio focuses on the community and takes market as the theme. In the century-old markets, we can explore the knowledge of foods, know the “hundred industries” in Daxi Market, and see possibilities in the market from the perspectives of the masters. Li Shan Agriculture Creation Co. Ltd. in Miaoli also invites the champions of local cuisine competitions as the lecturers for developing exclusive local dishes. When walking among the Hakka settlements, students are guided to know the cuisine and cultural taste of the Hakka people. Lecturers who possess expertise of hunting or cooking in natural kitchens are invited as well to unravel the mysteries of the Saysiat delicacies.
When it comes to foods, one cannot miss the exotic cuisines in Taiwan where diverse cultures are interwoven. Mingalarpar Studio offers the two classes of “Cultural Exploration of Burmese Milk Tea” and “Spices in Southeast Asian Cuisines,” in which the students can learn about the key spice formulas that makes the foods delicious. In the process of making curry puff from India as well as son-in-law eggs, milk tea, and traditional pastries from Myanmar, the students shall learn about the history of the ethnical groups and the colonial operations in Southeast Asia, whilst also gaining an understanding of how those immigrants in Taiwan localize their hometown foods, thereby in turn allowing them to create “Diaspora Dishes” with new immigrant’s flavor.
How many hardworking hands and tables does a delicacy need to keep its good taste? The “Walks of Foods and Cultures” allows you to not only enjoy the flavor of the dishes themselves but also experience the wonder of the blending of generational heritages and cultures when you have some local delicacies. The Regional Youth Hub Dreamer Training Project invites those who are passionate about humanities, foods, and land issues in the 43 whole-new local classes in July. Together, we shall start the trip of returning hometowns and rebuilding the communities. After you sign up (at https://changemaker.yda.gov.tw/Lesson) and pay the deposit of NT$500, you can bring a heart with full expectation and excitement and have a wonderful memory in this summer!

Day Day Tian Studio, experience local delicacies and explore the knowledge of foods in Daxi Market

Guli Rice Cooperative, lead students to cook the fresh and local ingredients bought in Puli Market

Mingalarpar Studio, explore the Southeast Asian spice grocery and the localized new immigrant delicacies

Mingalarpar Studio, lead students to make traditional Burmese pastries and Burmese milk tea