Young chef from Tianjin brings friendly face to US television

A young man from Tianjin has become one of the best home chefs in the United States and is participating in a television competition that began with 24 challengers and has been whittled down to 18 so far.

Whether he survives to the championship of MasterChef and wins the $250,000 grand prize or goes home after the next airing, Li Bowen's impact on the cooking show - and on China-US interaction - has been made.

Just by being part of the national television show, seen by millions of Americans each week, Li, 24, has accomplished more than simply excelling with his skills in using a wok, skillet, mixing bowl and oven. He has become a popular, friendly, ambitious face of China to the US citizen masses. He has helped place a smiling face on the nation, which still remains mysterious to many in the US.

Li, a commercial pilot, also has taken person-to-person exchanges - and delicious dining - to new levels, mastering challenge after challenge presented to him and other contestants.

He calls himself a "dreamer on top of the world".

"If you can imagine it, you can achieve it!" he tweeted as the contest got going. "If you can dream it, you can become it! Just believe in yourself no matter what!"

Li claims Tianjin as his home, though he has lived in the US for nine years. He graduated from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, where he now resides. He admires his father, who continues to work as a chef in Tianjin.

"My dad is so professional! But I am always better than him; that, I wish!" Li wrote.

The diminutive young man earned his spot on the television show by serving the three judges Asian-inspired Scotch eggs, known as lion's head meatballs, garnished with pickled radish.

"Although my hands look weird, like chicken feet, I am definitely not being a chicken in the kitchen!" Li wrote.

Since the first dish, Li has served up a slew of Chinese and Western foods to the delight of judges Gordon Ramsay, Aaron Sanchez and Joe Bastianich, all famous chefs in Europe and the Americas.

"Flying into the heaven isn't enough for my hunger!" he tweeted. "Flying into the finale is my goal! It is my American dream!"

The show, on the Fox television network, began its ninth season with two dozen home cooks, many working in the food service industry or, like Li, with families in the business. Li is near the top of the pack of the remaining competitors.

One thing this television show is demonstrating is that China-US interaction goes far beyond the brouhaha over trade, which seems to grab all the headlines.

"There is no way to stop me cooking with my passion and love!" he wrote. "As a pilot, I will fly my Asian fusion cuisine to deliver to everyone's heart with love!"

After all, he wrote, "It's not how you start. It's how you finish."

Contact the writer at keithkohn@chinadaily.com.cn